My teeth grated back and forth as everything in me screamed against this happening, but she couldn’t come with me, and I couldn’t go with her.
“Ianto and Callan, go with her.Luna, stay here.Once we finish at my father’s, I’ll need you to open a portal to the manor if they’re not back.You’ve been there before, right?”I asked.
“Yes, many times,” Luna answered.
“Good.”
“We need at least twenty amsirah to remain here and watch over these women; the rest are coming with me.If we move fast enough, we can empty that room in minutes.”I shifted my attention back to Ellery.“If you’re not back when I return, I’m coming for you.”
“Same goes for you,” she said.“I’m assuming you’re leaving yours open.”
“I am.”
I didn’t have a choice.I couldn’t risk closing it and not being able to open another.Outside of my father, I was the only one who could open a portal in and out of his castle.He’d remedy that after today, but it would take time.
“Good,” Ellery stated.
“I’ll open a portal into our home,” Ruby said.“I hope that’s where Billy and Fletcher are.If it’s safe, I’ll leave it open for you to come through.If it’s closed, then you know to proceed with caution.”
“Thank you,” I told her.
“I’m sure we’ll be back before you,” Ellery said.
Ignoring the lingering throbbing in my side, I pulled her close and kissed her.I shouldn’t let her go, but I had to.
They were her family, and she wouldn’t wait.I didn’t blame her; waiting could spell their demise… but going could mean hers.
“We need weapons,” Callan said.
Swords and a bow and quiver were brought forth.They armed themselves to travel to Ellery’s manor.I studied her movements and broken arm, but if it still bothered her, she hid it well.
“You come back here the second anything goes wrong,” I told her when she finished settling her bow on her back.“No matter what, even if you don’t have Billy and Fletcher, come back here.We’ll figure out a way to rescue them if necessary.”
“I will,” she vowed.“Stay safe.”
“You too.”I kissed her again before willing my arm away from her.“Come back to me.”
“Always.”
With that, Ruby opened a portal, and she, Scarlet, Ellery, Callan, and Ianto entered it.Ellery glanced back and blew me a kiss before vanishing.
Taking a deep breath, I fisted my hands as I restrained myself from going after her.She was the most powerful amsirah in this realm, and she would be okay.
If I was going to get to her soon, then I had to move.I opened a portal into my father’s weapon room.
I had no idea what I would find on the other side, but it was time to go.
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
Ellery
Despite the sunstill being high in the sky, tucked beneath the limbs of the towering oaks surrounding it, little sunlight filtered through the front window of Scarlet’s cottage when we emerged in the front parlor.We all edged away from the bay window and deeper into the protective shadows.
The furniture I’d known all my life was a disconcerting sight.It remained the same with its warm colors, inviting cushions, and dark wood frames, but after the events of this day, I couldn’t help feeling like it should be a mess of shattered pieces, scattered paintings, and endless debris.
The sudden calm after the chaos wasn’t the balm I’d expected.Instead, it danced along my nerves, and it was not a good dance—it was a foot-stomping melee that broke toes.
My skin prickled with uneasiness as I took in the shadows before my eyes returned to the window and the harvested fields beyond.The ticking clock on the wall made my eye twitch in rhythm to the passing seconds.
