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“I figured the guardians would help.” Now I was mentally kicking myself for not thinking this through. Vance lived on Faerie for ten years, training under my grandmother, who happened to be an elder. He was the perfect person to accompany me. I think I’d let my emotions blind me to that.
Sighing, I said, “I see your point. I really do. But I need you to keep an eye on Erica. That’s how you can help right now. I’m worried about her. It kills me that I’m so far away while she’s going through this. I don’t trust anyone else to take care of her.”
His face softened. “Karli, she’s a big girl. I’m worried about her too, but she can take care of herself for a little while.”
“I know she can, but I don’t want her to face this alone. Please, Vance. I promise I won’t do anything without talking to you first. I’ll call you right after we meet with the witches and we’ll figure out something from there.”
He sighed heavily. “Fine. You’d better call me the second you’re done. I mean it.”
“I will. I promise.” I yawned. “I should really try getting some sleep. It’s the middle of the night here.”
The longing in his eyes was unmistakable. “I miss you.”
Now it was my turn to sigh. “I’ll call you soon, okay?” I couldn’t bring myself to admit how much I missed him too. I didn’t want to give him any more false hope. “Goodbye, Vance.” I didn’t wait for his reply before ending the call.
Around noon, I found Leo scanning through some paperwork in the sitting room. I frowned as I looked at the drapes, which were drawn as usual this time of day. I realized that I hadn’t seen daylight in almost a week and was feeling a bit restless.
“What’s wrong, my love?”
“Nothing.” I didn’t want to hurt his feelings by complaining. The sun made me feel whole, and that was something that Leo and I could never share. He knew how much I loved it, but it wasn’t something we ever really discussed for obvious reasons.
He scowled. “Please don’t lie for my benefit. Tell me what’s on your mind.”
I averted my eyes. “I haven’t seen daylight in a week. It’s bugging me.”
He set his papers down and sighed. “I’ll call Takk and have him take you wherever you want to go.”
Crap, now I felt like a jerk. “Leo, I’ll get over it. I’m fine staying here with you.”
He walked over to place a kiss on my cheek. “Don’t be ridiculous. There are many things to see in this city by day. You shouldn’t miss out on that, especially when all we can do for the time being is wait.”
“Really, I’m—”
“Nonsense,” he interrupted. “I insist. Go get ready; I’ll have Takk here within the hour.”
“Do I have to take him with me?”
He narrowed his eyes. “What’s going on with you two?”
“Nothing really, he just rubs me the wrong way.”
He smiled. “I hope you’re not being literal. I really don’t feel like dismembering one of my best men today.”
I laughed. “You think you’re so funny, don’t you?”
He traced his finger over my lips. “It made you smile, didn’t it?”
I blushed. “Yeah, I guess it did. I know you trust him, Leo. He just irritates me, but I can deal with it.”
“Good, because as much as you dislike it, I’m not about to let you run about a foreign city alone.”
I placed my hands on my hips. “You make me sound completely incompetent.”
“I know you’re more than capable of taking care of yourself, my dear. Regardless, I’m not going to risk something happening to you on my watch. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
“Yeah, yeah.” There was no point in arguing further. This man’s highhandedness could rival my stubbornness any day. I’ve learned that it’s easier to just go with it.
My first stop was at Trinity College since it was right across the street from our hotel. I stepped under the tall wooden doors into a huge courtyard. On either side of me were rows of gray brick buildings, several of which were adorned with massive columns. Directly ahead was a beautiful bell tower in front of a large lawn. The grounds were meticulously landscaped with patches of Kelly green grass alongside a network of cobbled walkways. I roamed around for at least an hour just taking it all in. Students were milling about in between classes or lounging on the green space for lunch. I thought about how different their college experience must have been from mine. I went to UNLV, which was filled with lots of frat parties, pool parties, and the occasional study session. Here, they were surrounded by so much culture and history. There was an overall peacefulness to this place.
