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I swallowed a lump in my throat at his warning and nodded slowly. “I love you.”
“And I, you.”
Behind me, a loud bang jolted me back to reality.“I have to go.”
“Be safe."
Turning, I peeked over the box again to see the slow, cruel smirk of Fafnir as he placed his book on the ground and stood to greet his guest.
Mary’s footsteps were no longer the steady, rhythmic beats that they had been before. They were irregular, one heavy thump before she huffed and heaved something in a long slide across the floor.
As she came into view, I recognized the magical net she had dragged Savida in. This time, it held young woman with red curls. She was tangled and disheveled, and her mouth was open in a silent scream.
My hands slapped against my mouth to stop the gasp of horror that tried to emerge.
“Well done, child. That was quicker than expected.” Fafnir stood to greet them, leaving the book and knife on the floor.
Mary let go of the net, and it disappeared but the woman stayed still, unable to move. “She was nearby, looking for you on behalf of the council.”
He smirked and raised an eyebrow. “You know her?”
“Unknown family of potion makers. Not very powerful, but enough that you will be satisfied to hunt a more filling prey.” She shrugged carelessly, as though she wasn’t handing someone to their death.
Evil witch.
Fafnir bent and stroked a finger down the trembling woman’s cheek. “Leave me with my meal, my child. Come for me in an hour or so.”
“As you wish.” Mary walked away without a backward glance.
A tear leaked from the redheaded witch as the monster pawed at her with a terrifying smile.
Blood rushed to my head, suddenly and violently. I couldn’t watch this.
I have to do something.
CHAPTER25
ZAIDE
“Zaide! Wake up!”
I awoke like I’d just broken the surface of deep water, gasping for air, and filled with the fear that I was still in danger.
Baelen. He was surrounded by shadows. About to be attacked. Where is he? Where is Clawdia?
As I blinked away the sights from my dreams, I found myself looking at Savida’s concerned face in the early morning light shining through the pale curtains. “Savida, what’s wrong?”
Daithi, who I hadn’t noticed standing behind Savida, cleared his throat. “I felt a powerful magical happening. Clawdia doesn’t seem to be here …”
“She’s gone?” I looked to my side to see only Charlie’s sleeping form in the bed. I threw the bedsheets back and jumped out. Pushing past them, I peeked into Alcor’s room and found it empty.
Panic clawed up my throat as I paced the living area. She was pushed out of the dream, and then we were attacked, but it was a dream. She shouldn’t have physically disappeared.
“A powerful magical happening?” I repeated, feeling Daithi and Savida standing behind the sofa.
Daithi replied, “I assumed it to be a portal.”
“But portals aren’t open.” I spun to him, confused and worried.
