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Once we were both through, I sealed the gap. Eventually, I’d probably have to come back and repair the iron bars on the far side. But that could wait until another night. All that mattered now was we were finally headed home.
“How far?” Evelyn asked.
“It’s still a bit of a walk from here.” I grinned at her. “Unless you feel like running some more?”
“Are we safe now?”
I shrugged. “Safe enough, I think.”
“Is Edric really gone?”
“I think so.”
“And what about Nigel and his mother?”
“I don’t know.” The moments leading up to Evelyn telling me to destroy the horn were still pretty hazy.
“I think Nigel saved us,” she said. “But I don’t know what made him change his mind.”
“Maybe you finally convinced him.”
“He was controlling me. Do you remember?”
I shook my head. “It’s all jumbled. I don’t know what’s real and what she made me see.” I stepped toward Evelyn and wrapped my arms around her. “It’s going to be okay, now.”
“What if they come after us?” She shivered. “He knows where I live.”
“I won’t let him hurt you.”
“And what about your people? They’re going to kill me for knowing what I know.”
“I’ll deal with them. I won’t let any of them hurt you. You destroyed our biggest enemy. They’ll make an exception.” I tilted her head up until I could see her face. “Trust me?”
She sniffled and nodded. I leaned in and brushed her lips with mine, but one taste wasn’t enough. I pressed my lips to hers again, longer this time. Her lips parted in response, and she slid against me. I ran my hands over the silky fabric of her dress, and she tightened her grip around my waist.
I kissed along her jaw and whispered in her ear, “Race you home.”
She laughed and took off running. I transformed and then followed, pulling alongside and then ahead.
“No fair,” she said. “You have four legs and I only have two!”
I growled and tossed my head, pulling farther ahead. She answered with a burst of speed and closed the distance. We played that way, most of the way home, taking turns in the lead, until the door to the cellar appeared before us.
We were both exhausted when we stopped in front of the door. I transformed and pushed open the door that I knew would lead us into the cellar at Lydbury. Giddy with the excitement of destroying Edric and escaping the dungeons, I didn’t sense Arabella stalking toward us until it was too late.
“There you are,” she said. “I’ve been searching everywhere for you, and what do I find?”
“Arabella, wait,” I said. “Let me explain.”
“I warned you. You didn’t listen. She knows too much.” Arabella flicked her wrist at Evelyn. I threw up a shield in reaction, but I wasn’t fast enough. Some of Arabella’s spell got past my shield. Evelyn’s legs folded, and she started to collapse. I ran to her and caught her before she hit the ground.
“What did you do?” I screamed.
“You know the rules, Liam. Why are you protecting her?”
I felt Evelyn’s neck for a pulse. Her heart was still beating faintly. I didn’t inherit my sire’s healing magic, so I concentrated on giving her some of my strength. “Come on,” I whispered to her. “What did you throw at her, Ari?” I yelled over my shoulder.
“You can’t be serious.”
