“It’s old magic. The only remaining servitude still in effect,” gasped Avery, still under his full weight. “Until you release him from his debt, he has to do what you say.”
Saga exhaled a strangled sort of laugh in relief. “Right. Okay.Osian Goff, I command you to release her, set the knife safely on the floor, and sit against the wall to wait for the police.”
Osian’s internal struggle was apparent on his face as he tried to fight against his own body. It was a futile effort, the bonds of the old magic too ingrained in the blood to disobey. “You will regret this.”
“You’ll be silent until the police arrive too,” Saga commanded.
The man’s mouth clamped shut as he proceeded to move to the opposite wall and sit down like a child in time-out.
Avery unsteadily pushed herself into a standing position once more. She reached into her pocket, producing a thick black ribbon. “Tell him to put out his hands.”
Osian set a glare on Saga that could have melted iron.
Saga craned her neck to meet his gaze, unwavering. “Do as she wants.”
The man’s hands were offered, his wrists together.
Avery wound the ribbon around them, sending energy down the fabric so that it grew with every wrap, creating layer upon layer until at last, she tied it off. It created a thick cuff around both his wrists, which glowed silver like moonlight. “Since we both know it doesn’t necessarily take sound to cast,” she said grimly. The adrenaline waning, her body ached as she madeher way to Saga to undo the binding straps. First the ankles, then the legs and moving up. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m not bleeding,” Saga offered weakly. Avery released her last binding and Saga sat up enough to throw her arms around her. Her breathing haggard, she clutched the changeling to her, burying her face in the crook of her neck. She was shaking. She dug her fingers into the fabric of Avery’s coat, feeling like she might fall over if she let go.
Avery’s arms came around her slowly, cautiously. She was warm, and comforting. “You’re safe now,” she whispered.
Saga wasn’t sure if she’d already been crying, but hearing the assurance caused a sob to choke out of her. The word had never meant so much as it did then. She could have kissed her.
They leaned into each other, allowing their breathing to fall into a rhythm as the adrenaline wore off and exhaustion overtook their limbs.
“Areyouhurt?” Saga whispered.
Avery’s arms squeezed her tighter. “I’m not bleeding.” It was quiet, but Saga was certain she could hear the soft smile in her voice.
They could hear a commotion above them. A great number of people filed into the lobby. Reinforcements.
Avery pulled back enough to take a deep breath and shout toward the door to the stairs. “We’re down here!” She admired Saga with a tired, grateful smile. “Miraculously.”
“We make a good team,” Saga reminded her.
“We do…” Avery’s smile faded slightly and she leaned in.
Saga’s breath caught. Was she…?
But Avery didn’t close the distance completely. Her pale eyes scanned Saga’s face, trailing slowly from her left eye, over her nose to her right. “I’ve never realized until now that you have freckles.”
“Oh.” Saga’s face felt hot again. “Makeup usually covers them.”
Avery nodded and smiled once more, wider this time. “I like them. They’re like…sprinkles.”
A startled giggle escaped Saga. It was an infectious sound, which in turncaused Avery to chuckle. Exhausted, feverishly giddy, and grateful to be alive, they leaned their foreheads against each other and laughed.
64Welsh: Move.
Chapter 27
Avery
