Page 60 of Grimoires & Glamoury

“I think that would be best,” I said. “The grimoire has caused enough damage in Hemlock Hollow.”

He nodded. “We’ll head straight for the airport in Rolla. I’ll call and tell them to have the jet ready to depart.”

I hugged the backpack closer to my chest as we sped along the highway. “I won’t argue with that. Because we both know that Sawyer and a band of pissed off Fae are out there still looking for this grimoire. Oh, and I took a look at it before I bound it. It’s definitely Light Fae in origin.”

Charles blew out a long breath, released my hand, and I watched as his grip tightened on the steering wheel. “Let’s get some distance between us and them,” he said, pressing his foot down firmly on the accelerator.

I could only nod in agreement.

***

It was almost anti-climactic when we arrived in Birmingham a few hours later. I’d half expected some sort of Fae ambush on the road to the airport, or goddess help me, a problem with the plane. But there was none. Instead, I swallowed some Dramamine, looped a backpack strap over one leg, settled the pack in my lap, and folded my arms over it.

I’d promised Charles that the moment we got off the plane I would hand it right over to him, and he had agreed. Why was I holding on to it as we traveled? Because I was the one whose magick had bound it, and if anything changed, I’d know instantly. I reclined back in my seat as soon as I was able and snoozed on the flight back to Alabama.

When I woke, I discovered that Charles had covered me with a thin blanket at some point and was sitting beside me working away on a laptop.

I blinked at him a few times as he came into focus. Beyond him I checked one of the windows and saw that night had fallen.

“Good,” he said. “You’re awake. We’re going to begin our descent in a few minutes.”

With a nod I raised my seat into an upright position. The backpack and its magickally bound contents were still in my lap.

Charles handed me a short bottle of water. “I contacted Damien,” he said, “and explained that we had secured the problematic item and were taking it with us back to Birmingham.”

I took a sip. “And how did that news go down?”

“He sounded relieved,” Charles said. “He also told me he would notify Oona and the Hunter.”

But not Finnlagh, I thought to myself. I suppose that would put him in a pickle with his kingly father… Out loud I said, “Do you think Sawyer will return to Birmingham to try and reclaim the grimoire?”

Charles narrowed his eyes. “I’d say that’s a good possibility. Eventually he will hear that we were in the hollow.”

“Terrific.” I blew my bangs out of my eyes.

“I also contacted Seth Olarescu,” Charles said next. “Brought him up to speed. He will have a security team waiting for us when we land.”

I did a double take. “Is that necessary?”

Charles closed his laptop with a light snap. “I certainly wasn’t going to refuse his generous offer.”

Meaning it hadn’t been an offer at all. It had been a statement. To be fair the grimoire did belong to Charles and his family. And it was his responsibility to take care of it once we landed, not mine. “If you don’t mind me asking,” I began, “are you going to lock the grimoire up or will you destroy it?”

“I’m going to take Seth up on his offer. It will be destroyed tonight, and I’ll be on hand to ensure that it is properly done.”

“Good.”

To my surprise, Charles reached over and gently tucked my hair behind my ear. “I’m sorry that this all happened, Lorna, but I am not sorry for the opportunity that has allowed me to spend time with you.” His fingers lingered, brushing the side of my face.

I was surprised at the gesture and my eyes locked on his. “Well, we got the job done and I’ll be honest—I very much enjoyed spending time with you too.”

“Lorna, I—”

His words were cut off by the announcement that we were about to land, and he slid his hand away from my face. Whatever moment there had been between us was broken.

After we landed, I transferred the backpack over to Charles. My luggage was waiting for me at the base of the steps, and we walked down them together. Also waiting on the tarmac were two long black cars. Security guards—definitely Vampire security guards—stood around the first one; no sooner did I step on the ground, and the back door of the first car was opened. Seth Olarescu stepped out.

“Charles. Lorna.” Seth strode forward. “Glad to see you safely back.”