A hoard of vampires will arrive as soon as it’s safe, and they’ll ensure we transport her without getting intercepted. If all goes according to plan, it should be easy. Hopefully, the council won’t realize Madam Lyrie has been kidnapped until we’re long gone from the Day Realm.
“Get her into the bedroom by her own volition if possible,” Sebastian states once we’re all back in the living room. He stares at Elliot as he speaks, ankle crossed over his opposite knee.
“She’ll sense the wards,” I say, shaking my head. “We should take her down as soon as she’s inside.”
“Can your magic handle her?” Sebastian asks, looking between me and Elliot.
“Mine can’t,” he says. “Secora’s can. If I’m able to get Mama here without Secora’s help, she can take her down. But in case this gets messy, you should be prepared to intervene.”
“How do you suggest we do that without decapitating her?” Beatrice asks. “Personally, I’d rather not end tonight with my heart ripped outside my body.”
“Carefully,” I say, voice mockingly sweet.
At the same time, Elliot says, “With these.”
He pulls his messenger bag onto his lap, and with a quick glance my way, he pulls out a pair of dull golden cuffs.
I can’t help the gasp that sucks between my teeth. I haven’t seen those cuffs in over a decade, not outside of memories.Despite everything I’ve survived and all the ways I’ve grown, I tense at the sight of them. Without consciously deciding to, I scoot back in my armchair and tuck my hands beneath my thighs.
Elliot passes the cuffs to Sebastian in a monumental display of trust. I’m not sure anyone in this room even realizes it. As the vampires study the bands, Elliot moves from his armchair to mine, maneuvering so I’m on his lap. Normally, I’d be mortified at the public display of affection. But right now, with my childhood trauma being passed around like an interesting artifact, I don’t care.
“I love you,” he whispers against the side of my head.
“I love you too,” I say. My voice is barely audible, but I’m well aware the others can hear me. Despite this, I add, “Are you sure you want to do this?”
At my question, the vampires fall quiet. They make a show of looking at the cuffs, but I know they’re listening. I don’t care. My question is for Elliot and Elliot alone.
“I’m sure,” he says. He kisses my temple before looking to the others in the room. “Those cuffs will rob her of magic. Once they’re on, she’ll be powerless.”
“You wore these,” Sebastian says. He doesn’t look up, but I know the statement is for me. I’d been wearing the false pair the day we met.
“Yes. They are horrid.”
“Excellent,” he says, and his mouth twists into a blood-curdling grin.
30
I’VE LEARNED FROM THE BEST
ELLIOT
Iwas supposed to leave two minutes ago. It’s not like me to procrastinate, but I’ve never faced a moment like this. I’m all too aware of how terrible today will be, and my body doesn’t want to carry me a single step from this porch. A porch that, after our mission, will no longer be mine. I imagine the council will sell it or give it to Mama once all is said and done.
If she’s still alive to receive it.
I close my eyes and tilt my head back, letting the sun touch my cheeks. It’s too cold to feel its warmth, but it’s nice all the same. This will be my last time at the home I worked so hard to afford. The home I rarely appreciated, this view most of all.
“Elliot,” Secora says, startling me. I turn away from the bannister to look at her.
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her in a color other than black. She looks good in yellow, though I imagine she’d look good in any other color too. The autumnal dress hugs her body far better than her typical black ones, showing the soft curves of her chest and hips. She’s absolutely stunning, even when she scrunches her nose at me, eyes narrowing.
“I know I look ridiculous,” she says. She crosses her arms and juts out a hip. Her hair isn’t in its typical ponytail. Instead, it’s been carefully divided into two long braids and fastened with bright orange bows.
“You look beautiful,” I say. I touch one of the bows, tugging gently on her braid. “I like these.”
A faint blush dances over her cheeks, but she doesn’t immediately reply. Instead, she looks out at Lake Astoria.
“Our first kiss wasn’t far from here.” She’s looking at the shoreline, and the sun makes her dark eyes brighter.
