LENNOX
The hours ticked by slowly as I waited for our time to come, for our escape.
And knowing Luka was so close—that was torture. It was like my mating bond could feel his proximity. My mating mark burned. The threads around my heart tugged tight.
“Not much longer now,” Luce whispered, her fingers tapping on the concrete wall.
At eight bells, we moved. Luka, Declan, and Nico will have started the fire—it would be blazing by then—pulling the compound’s attention elsewhere—away from prisoners with magic at their fingertips.
Luce would unlock the door, using the spell she’d taught me back in Cel Nox all those months ago. After that, we didn’t know what we’d face, but we’d have our magic to fight our way out.
We’d fight our way out.
Out.
After almost six weeks, I’d be free.
I’d see myfamily and friends again.
I jumped at the sound of the bells, they felt louder today somehow.
We were in the outskirts of Verbial, Luce had told me. The bells rang in the town square at the top of every hour, a convenient tradition for the circumstances.
I counted silently as the bells rang.
Five. Six. Seven.
I met Luce’s gaze, my heart ricocheting against my ribcage.
Eight.
Using the sharp edge of a brick, Luce sliced her hand, using her finger to draw symbols with her blood on the metal door.
Luce drew her hand back, pressing her back to the wall as the door pushed open.
I froze, my eyes trained on Luce as she balled her bleeding hand into a fist and surveyed her nails as Nakul sauntered through the doorway.
The guard eyed her curiously, quickly turning his attention from her to where Nol and I stood before his gaze settled on me.
He reached for his back pocket, and my stomach sank. “Adreona calls for you.”
I hesitated before taking a step toward him, holding out my arms.
The metal had never felt so cold as it snapped closed over my wrists.
The fire warming my blood smothered to nothing.
Nakul pushed me forward with a stern hand on my shoulder. “Just her tonight, you lucked out, boy.”
I breathed steadily through my nose as Nakul guided me through the door. I looked over my shoulder, finding Luce and Nol staring at me with wide eyes.
Go,I mouthed.Get out of here, I’ll be fine.
They had to go. They couldn’t waste this opportunity.
Luce’s eyes softened, she dipped her chin, her mouth set in a firm line. We’d been here before. She didn’t let me down last time. I knew she wouldn’t now, either.
Nol took a step forward, his arm reaching out?—
