“How the hell am I supposed to do that?” Damien argued.
“Why?” Evelyn asked.
Leo turned to Evelyn first. “I’m supposed to be working. I shouldn’t have left the palace today.”
Facing Damien, Leo added, “The princess requested a tour of the city, and you escorted her. That’s all. Then she saw past an illusion, and you found this place. Understand?”
“Yes,” Damien agreed through gritted teeth.
“Get her out of here. I’ll send up a signal to get more soldiers to guard the door, then track down a Spell Breaker.”
“I should stay,” Evelyn insisted. “I can help!”
Leo took her hands in his. “You already helped us, Princess. There is nothing else you can do right now. Damien is going to take you to the palace so I know you’re safe. Okay?”
“But I—” Evelyn sighed. “Sure, okay.”
Damien pulled her outside. “We need to gonow.”
7
Report
Damien’s posture stiffened as he knocked on King Gerard’s office door. He had been so casual earlier. But now, in anticipation of telling two kings about four murdered soldiers, he was acting as an army captain.
It’s like he’s two different people: the friend and the soldier.
“Come in,” King Gerard called.
Damien pushed the door open and led Evelyn inside. The kings stood over a table with a map of the continent.
They weren’t expecting to see me with a soldier today. How much is my father going to hate what we have to say?
“Your Majesties.” Damien bowed. “The missing soldiers have been found.”
“Where?” King Gerard demanded.
“In an empty shop in the city, sir.”
“Are they alive?”
“No, sir. They were killed. Mutilated.”
The kings went quiet for a moment as they processed the news.
“Why is my daughter with you?” King Tristan asked.
Damien shifted his weight. “Princess Evelyn found the soldiers, Your Majesty. She saw past the illusion hiding blood on the door of the shop and I went inside to investigate.”
“The girl can see through illusions?” King Gerard asked.
Yes, asshole, the girl can do a lot of things!
“Why was she in the city in the first place?” King Tristan was nearly yelling. “Didyoutake her there?”
Damien winced. “Yes, Your Majesty. The princess requested a tour of the city and I?—”
“You took her away from the palace without anyone’s permission?”
