Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 132625 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132625 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
“It will take some time to pull down those wards,” Kendrick says. “Maybe you should go back to the house until—”
I shake my head. “Can you tell if those wards are set to keep us out or keep the book in?”
Kendrick extends a hand, then takes one of mine and stretches it forward. “You tell me. What do you feel?”
At first I don’t think I can feel one way or another, but I focus and realize there’s an energy that’s pulsing outward. “They’re keeping us out, which means the book can come to us.”
Kendrick nods. “How are you going to—Jasalyn, what are you doing?”
I step into the room, getting as close to the wards as possible. Dropping to my knees, I click my tongue like I’m calling to a cat.
“Be careful,” Natan says. “If you touch those wards, they could hurt you.”
I glance at him over my shoulder. “Hurt me how?”
“Depends on the magic. Some burn, some snap bones, some get into your head and plant horrific nightmares, some just throw you across the room. None of the possibilities are a good time.”
I nod as if this makes perfect sense. “If we make it through this, I want you to teach me how to make wards like that.” I tsk a few more times, then start humming under my breath. It’s an old song my mother used to sing to us at bedtime.
“We’ve gotten this far,” Kendrick says. “A few more hours to bring down the wards won’t—”
The book transforms into a long-haired gray cat who licks her paws.
Kendrick curses. “What just happened?”
“Come here, baby.” I extend a hand as close to the wards as I dare, cringing at the repulsive energy that tells everything in me to back away. “Let’s take you home.”
The cat yowls, and her tail flicks like she’s swatting away flies.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her. “I should never have given you to that mean witch. I promise it won’t happen again.”
This time her meow is more curious than angry, and she ambles toward me, hesitating before she reaches that wall of magic.
“It’s okay,” I whisper. “You can come here. I just can’t go there.”
She leaps into my arms, and I barely react fast enough to catch her.
“Gods above and below,” Kendrick mutters. “You just sweet-talked a book into coming to you.”
I scratch the cat behind her ears as I stand. “She’s partial to Abriella and me—partly because of the enchantments Abriella placed on her and partly because of our lineage.”
“Are we going to carry the cat when we ride back to Amelia’s?” Natan asks.
Suddenly my fingers are scratching at nothing, and the cat is gone. In my palm is a golden locket on a long chain.
Kendrick releases a puff of air. “Look at that. I think she wants you to wear her.”
I slip the locket over my head and back out of the tiny room.
Natan waves a hand and the colorful lights fall away. “We should get out of here before someone from the Seven’s legions comes to investigate the magic we just used.”
“But we still don’t know where to find the witch,” I protest, reaching for the locket for comfort. “If the witch was using Echo magic, then what she looked like isn’t relevant at all. She could’ve been anyone.”
“Yes and no,” Kendrick says. “That is an exceptionally rare gift. There are maybe half a dozen living fae who possess it.” He looks at Natan, who nods.
“I’ll have a list for you by morning,” he says.
“Wouldn’t the fae with this gift keep it a secret?”
“Generally speaking,” Natan says, “but I wouldn’t have a job if I wasn’t best at finding information that’s believed to be secret.”
Kendrick squeezes my hand. “We’ll also head for the oracle first thing. She’ll be able to help us.”
I should school my expression, but I can’t find the energy and feel my face fall. “And while we’re there, you can ask about your queen and your crown.”
Kendrick takes my chin in his hand and tilts my face up to his. “I will ask her how I can support Elora without betraying my own heart.”
Natan clears his throat. “I’ll wait out front.”
I don’t bother watching him leave. I’m too busy soaking in the determination in Kendrick’s eyes. Exhaustion and relief run tandem through my blood, sapping all the adrenaline away. I lean back against the wall, muscles limp.
He braces his hands on either side of my head and leans over me, dimples flashing as he studies my face, then the locket I keep twisting in my hand. “You did it. You got it back.”
I bite my bottom lip and press my hand to my chest, where hope bubbles like sparkling faerie wine, just as intoxicating. “I feel good about this. I feel . . .” I squeeze my eyes shut but can’t hold back my smile. “I’m hopeful for the first time in a long time.” When I open my eyes again, he’s staring at me, something like awe in his eyes. “What is it?”