Page 239 of Vameer

No flare of golden magic.

His body… Just. Vanishes.

And everything he was wearing drops to the ground.

I stare at the pile of clothing. “What the hells just happened?”

Dread steps closer to the space where the big man vanished. “I…” He inhales, then steps back.

“What?” I demand.

Dread wears an expression I don’t like. “That man is cursed.”

Cursed?

I don’t know how someone gets cursed, but I may have a new fear.

Uncle Frio slaps Volik on the back. “He’s on our side though, right?”

My brother grunts. “He acted like it.”

I shake my head. “He acted insane.”

Uncle Frio snorts. “Then he’ll fit right in.”

I slide my sword back into place at my hip. “If we ever see him again.”

Chapter 145

Rune

Nix and I stand in the same spot from the night before. Shoulder to shoulder, looking through the glass wall at the front of her house.

Aunt Bridget and Barth have the boy, Richie, in the kitchen, in human form, wearing a Stalden University sweatshirt and a pair of Nix’s sweatpants rolled at the ankles.

With a few calls, done by Nix, we were able to get a hold of his parents. And we all cried when he talked to them on the phone.

They’re going to the meeting point now. And when our men get back, because we agreed not to leave until they returned, Barth will take Aunt Bridget and the kid to his parents.

I’m pretty sure the relatives will come back here and stay awhile.

I hope they do.

Nix nudges me. “They’re here.”

I blink and see the golden glow.

We’re alive. So we know they are too. But the waiting…

We rush through the door.

Dread steps through first. Then Uncle Frio. And a mostly naked Orion.

Volik is next.

And my heart starts beating wildly. And he doesn’t stop it.

I need to see him.