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I was dead inside until I met her. And if my life ends tonight, I will be grateful for the precious days we spent together.
But after centuries of pining for death, now all I want is to live—with her.
God’s teeth, I sound like a sap in…love?
Disquieted, I hurry to Bram’s quarters. Time to play this drama to its end. If Gray’s claim is another hoax, I will deal with her father and whatever trickery he wields. If I never break my curse, I will stay with Olivia until she understands we are meant for each other. And when her days are through, she will live on in my eternal heart.
At Bram’s door, I raise my fist to knock. The wizard opens it first, fully dressed and freshly showered. Odd, given the hour.
He grins wryly. “I saw you were coming for me.”
“In the shadows?”
“In a vision.”
That takes me aback. “Know you Richard Gray has come?”
Bram walks into the hall with a sharp nod. “I’m aware.”
In his tone, I hear something he says not. I grab his shoulder. “What else?”
“Earlier, I tracked down one of the former Brethren’s younger brothers who had the misfortune of meeting Mathias in battle before the dark wizard was defeated. He warned me that Mathias can perform magic no one has ever seen. Let’s hope we don’t encounter anything in my vision.”
Dread settles into my gut. “Tell me what you saw.”
“No time. I’ll do everything I can to prevent disaster. But when we’re with Gray, do what I say; don’t argue.”
Normally, I would refuse his command. All my life, I have served but two authority figures—God and Arthur. In every other way, I have been my own man, bowing to no one. My trust in Bram has been shaky since our initial meeting decades past. Recently, he has proven himself tolerable. For a wizard, anyway. And we both want Olivia and the diary safe. For now, that must be enough.
I nod.
“Ready?” Bram asks Olivia when we reach her.
She sends him an unconvincing smile, sadness seared into her expression.
What if Gray breaks the curse and I die? What if these are my last moments with Olivia? I cannot leave this mortal life while danger surrounds her. Who will protect her?
I scoop her up in my embrace. “We need not do this. If you wish, I will send Bram to discuss Gray’s plans for the diary. Perhaps they can dispose of the blasted book rather than open it.”
“You deserve to be uncursed. For centuries, that’s all you’ve wanted. I won’t stop you.” When I open my mouth to argue, she cups my cheek. “Mathias will soon realize my father swiped his half of the key, and the Anarki will come. It’s now or never.”
What? Am I to believe Gray managed to sneak into enemy territory, knew exactly where to find the emblem, and took it from Mathias, under the nose of the Anarki army, without once being detected? Without anyone pursuing him?
My gut churns. My hackles rise. This feeling has served me well in battle.
Based on his expression, Bram is skeptical, as well.
Still, Olivia makes a point. If we are to prove Gray is up to no good, we cannot delay. “We need a strategy.”
Bram nods. “You guard Olivia. Never take your hands off her. I will ensure that nothing peculiar happens with Gray or the Doomsday Diary. Deal?”
I still question whether I can trust Bram—of course he puts himself in charge of that which he seeks most—but I see no better alternative. Besides, Olivia is far more important to me. “Deal.”
Together, we descend and cross the expansive foyer. Bram opens the protections around his estate to allow Richard Gray inside before closing them once more.
Olivia escorts him to the library. I watch them unblinkingly. The pale wizard nervously clasps his key in his hand. The ornate pendant is encrusted with gleaming rubies in the shape of an M, except where Olivia’s L should lay atop.
“Hello, Marrok. Oh, and Bram.” Gray sounds less than happy.
