Page 58 of Sorrow & Strangers

I nod, placing my hand on Rafe’s arm.

“That dagger will be the only thing capable of piercing his skin. Do not lose it. They are difficult to come by.”

I nod, glancing at the dagger. The memory of Connor being stabbed with his own dagger sends a shock wave of grief through me.

No. I won’t do this now. I can’t fall apart now.

“I’ll see you out, sir.”

The headmaster and I leave the room, walking down the stairs.

“This house has been odd without a Morningstar,” he says, and I can feel his intense silver gaze on me. “Seems fate intervened to change that.”

I meet his eyes, feeling the heaviness of his stare. “Perhaps you’re right.”

“Fate has a curious way around you, Miss Tuatha De Daanan. Since your arrival at Avalon, events have been set in motion, and no one knows where it shall end.” I frown, about to ask him what he means, but then my phone rings. “You should get that,” he says.

I nod and open the door. “Thank you, sir.”

“You are welcome. I’ll get his enrollment going,” he says before disappearing from the porch.

I exhale and close the door before looking at my phone. Seeing Uriel’s photo, I answer it immediately. “Dad?”

“Is he there?” he asks, his voice rough with panic.

“We’ve got him,” I say, my own voice choked with emotion.

Uriel exhales. “He . . . Did he . . . Fuck,” Uriel says, surprising me. I’ve never known him to curse. Ever.

“He survived, Dad,” I say. “He’s going to be okay.”

I will make sure of it. I will protect him with my life.

“Uriel?” I hear Farrah’s panicked voice.

“He’s with his sister,” Uriel says, his voice breaking in a way that makes my heart shatter. But it’s nothing compared to how it breaks when I hear Farrah completely break down on the other side of the phone. I’ve only heard this grief from her once, when she was told that Connor had died, and I never, ever wanted to hear it again.

Farrah gets louder, and I can just picture Uriel pulling her into his lap. “How is he?”

A tear slides down my cheek. “He’s pretty banged up, but he’s here.” I try to clear the emotion from my throat. “The headmaster has been to check on him. He’s going to be okay.”

Uriel sobs softly. “He can’t . . . he can’t ever come home now.”

I start back up the stairs, needing to see him. “I will protect him with my life.”

“You’re his sister,” Uriel says.

I nod, leaning against the doorframe of Zach’s old room, looking at Rafe. “I am.” I exhale. “Headmaster Emrys is going to enroll him.”

Farrah sniffles. “That’ll help.”

“I’ll keep him safe.”

“I know you will,” Uriel says.

“He’s safe,” Farrah says, but I know it’s more to herself than anyone else.

“I’ll call you guys later with an update.”