Page 174 of Echoes of the Banshee

Thea’s calm, unyielding gaze remains locked on Anita. “We didn’t tell Ollin yet,” Thea says, before turning to him. “Did we tell you the goblin’s name?”

Ollin steps closer, each movement deliberate, his authority filling the room.

“No, you didn’t,” he replies evenly. “How do you know his name, young lady?”

“I—I don’t know. I—” Her words stutter out, eyes darting around the room, looking for any escape. She decides to run for it, spinning on her heel and tearing from the room.

Ollin walks over and helps Thea to her feet.

“Was that your assumption?”

“She’s a little predictable,” Thea jokes. “Goblin kidnapping wasn’t on the bingo card, but I’ll allow it.”

Ollin snorts despite himself. “She has a file of complaints at the office but her mother always intervenes. Do you think…”

“Not even a chance,” Thea replies smoothly. “It was probably Vivien’s idea.”

What’ve I mated into? Complicated family dynamics are one thing, but this? Who hires someone to kidnap their own sister because they think she’s dating a goblin? What’ll they do when they find out that Thea has mated a damn banshee!

The nurse steps forward, her soft footsteps grounding the moment. She examines Thea and Benson.

“Young lady, you don’t seem to be suffering any ill effects from the cuffs. Benson said they had them on you the same amount of time?”

Thea hesitates, like she’s scrambling for a lie that will work.

“I’m not a very powerful witch. The cuff didn’t bother me too much.” That’s what she chooses? The nurse seems to accept her explanation without question, offering a slight nod.

“Well, be thankful for that. You two just need to rest, and you should be fine in a day or two.”

“Let’s stay together tonight,” I suggest. I don’t think I can handle her out of my sight right now.

“I already arranged a guest house for you guys,” Ollin tells us. I can see that whatever instinct he has to protect her isn’t about to let her out of his sight either. I should be jealous. But, the more eyes on her, the better. Mavrik appears from nowhere, emerging with an unsettling ease. He must have melted into the shadows when Anita showed up.

“Okay. But can we stop by my dorm to grab a change of clothes?” Thea asks.

“Just borrow something of ours,” I say quickly. “I want to check your room out in the daylight before you do, make sure it’s safe.”

Ollin nods in agreement.

“That’s a good call. We’ll go through her room together in the morning.”

Ollin leads us across the campus to a small guest house nestled among the trees. It’s cozy, with a single queen-sized bed and a modest living area. He steps inside, scanning the space with a trained eye before turning back to us.

“I’m going to go grab you some food. When my mom heard what happened, she cooked,” he says, looking a little embarrassed. “My sister is going to bring it.”

“Thank you, Ollin, that’s very kind, tell your mother thank you as well,” Thea tells him earnestly. He colors slightly and quickly leaves.

Benson and I claim the couch as Mavrik sinks into the recliner. Within minutes, his breathing evens out, and I wonder if he slept at all last night.

The minutes stretch on as Thea methodically checks every corner of the cabin.

“She did that in the storage room too. Does she do it in every new place?” Benson asks me.

“She didn’t in my dorm.”

“Maybe you’re not as interesting as an empty cell,” he tells me, and I hit his shoulder.”Hey! I’m injured.”

That reminds me.