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“He’s being tortured.”
“You were right.”
“I wish I hadn’t been.” He nods at the few vampires who followed us. “Now we go get him.”
To weave the spell, we move away from the building. Ashton explains his plan to his buddies and a few walk away in a huff.
Worried, I wait to see if enough will remain for the ritual. Ashton is glaring at those leaving. I think he really believed more would stay.
That’s what happens when you rely on people who only want you around when they think they have something to gain from you. I’m starting to think most people are like that.
Which is why finding your soul mates is so rare and precious.
“Percy.” He nods at one of the guys who steps closer and lifts his hand, turning it palm up. “Thanks, man.”
This is his bestie, I recall from my first encounters with Ashton. So maybe this one is a keeper.
Ashton pulls out a switchblade, raises it over Percy’s wrist, preparing to cut and let the demonblood flow—but he freezes, glances at me. “Mia.”
“What’s wrong?”
His brows draw together. “I don’t sense the trail anymore.”
“How can that be? You must be mistaken.” I close my eyes, try to find the palace—what had Ashton called it?Alcazar?—but there is nothing there. Or anywhere. “What in the world…?”
Then Sindri’s power blasts around me, that howl returning, making me gasp.
Ashton obviously senses it, too, because he takes a step back, the switchblade dropping from his hand to the ground. “What the fuck. He’shere?”
“How can that be?”
“Maybe I was wrong to think the elders would keep him there longer,” Ashton whispers. “But it wasn’t all that long if you think that time outside the Academy flows faster. I don’t fucking get it…”
As one, we turn toward the registration office, and unbelievably, there he is, tall and broad-shouldered, his dark head bowed, the bejeweled tips of his ears glinting, hands fisted at his sides.
I break into a run, aware of Ashton right behind me. “Sin! You’re back! Sin!”
“Sindri, you asshat!” Ashton shouts. “Hey! Over here.”
He doesn’t seem to hear us. Doesn’t move from the spot.
Ashton overtakes me, then slows and waits for me, and then we’re running again. I’m laughing at this unexpected good luck. We stop in front of Sindri, blocking his path, both of us out of breath and grinning like idiots.
“Sin! The elder brought you back.” Ashton makes as if to catch Sindri’s hand. “Sindri?”
The fae boy raises his head and I gasp. He’s bruised all over, dipped in blood. His lips split. His eyes swollen half-shut. His jaw black. His chin soaked in crimson.
What the hell?
Someone else steps out of the office just then, someone unexpected.
Ashton hisses.
I stare in disbelief.
“The elder?Ibrought him back,” Ophelia says, smiling broadly. “What? I need my air elemental. And oh, look, I saved him while you were off having fun under the trees. I wonder where his loyalty lies now. Don’t you?”
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