Page 60 of Endless Terrors
He must’ve been at Bea’s, because I recognized the scent on his clothes from the countless times I’d thrown my uniform in the laundry and that smell wafted up. Grease and coffee. I searched the werewolf’s expression, wondering if he’d been hoping to see the girl who reminded him of his daughter. I had hoped those days were behind him. That things were getting easier for him.
He didn’t look at me as he moved to my side. I knew Finn wasn’t okay, not entirely, but just the sight of him loosened some of the tightness in my chest. It was easier to breathe, too. I felt the back of his warm hand brush against mine, and I let out a small breath.
Hearing it, Finn reached for the bond between us. Gentle encouragement shone from his end like a star. A reminder that I wasn’t going into this battle alone. With fresh resolve, I adjusted my head on the pillow and focused on the ceiling.
As everyone else drew closer, there were four figures who stood apart.
The first was Laurie, of course, being king of his own Court and all. Emma was the second. She was human, and Savannah didn’t think she’d be strong enough to survive the spell. But the older woman had insisted on being here for moral support. Adam kept his distance, as well, and I wondered for the hundredth time if his allegiance rested with Dracula or himself. He’d come back from his mysterious trip in the afternoon, and only the knowledge that I wasn’t completely abandoning Gil made it possible to leave.
Adam caught me looking at him, and I realized we’d never said goodbye. I’d been a little distracted since getting his text, considering it had been while Collith and Laurie were here. Take care of Gil, I mouthed, knowing I didn’t need to say anything else. He was Adam; words weren’t his thing, anyway.
The vampire nodded. He didn’t even hesitate. Seeing that, even more of the pressure in my body eased.
“All right, then. I think we have everything we need to get started. Stand in a circle around Fortuna, and hold hands, please,” Savannah said.
Everyone moved to obey, and their shadows slanted over the wooden floor. Cyrus. Ariel. Nym. Gil. Seth. Finn. I didn’t know what Viessa would think about losing two of her people to me, but right now, I didn’t care.
Despite Finn’s presence, it still felt like we were missing someone. I didn’t let myself look at the last person who’d stayed at the edge of the room.
It wasn’t Collith. If I’d been able to ask him to be part of the spell, I knew what he would have chosen. He’d all but admitted to Laurie, when they thought I was asleep at the motel, that he hadn’t let go of his throne. So he would’ve opted out, no matter how badly he might want to be part of my life.
But Lyari had surprised me—she was the fourth one who stood against that far wall. I could still hear her voice in my head, saying that she wouldn’t be part of the spell tonight. Had it really only been two hours ago?
My mind went back. Two hours ago, I’d emerged from my room, drawn by the sound of footsteps. Collith and Laurie were still getting dressed. Lyari must’ve been waiting for the three of us to finish our … activities, because I found her pacing in front of the fire.
The instant she’d heard the door open, she’d spun and blurted, I can’t do this.
I’d paused, the crackling fire the only sound in the loft. I knew, without turning, that the room behind me would be empty—Laurie and Collith had sifted to give us some privacy. Frowning, I faced my Right Hand across the high-ceilinged room, and she waited for my response with cold, distant eyes. It was the way she used to look at me when she was a Guardian and I hated the fae. Back before trust grew between us, and eventually, friendship.
That friendship was why I’d pushed her, of course. If Lyari was part of the spell, her transition into a goblin would stop. It was such an obvious solution.
Our argument still rang in my ears.
Tell me what’s going on, Lyari. Maybe I can help, I’d said.
Her lips were thin with irritation. There’s nothing “going on.”
Then give me a reason. If you can do that, I promise I’ll drop it. It’s your life. But at least give me one reason to explain why.
In the end, she’d refused to answer.
Hiding my frustration, I finally allowed myself to look at Lyari. It felt like the distance between us had widened even more, and she stood in a dim corner, her expression half-hidden.
“Are you sure?” I asked her.
Lyari shook her head, and I got that sense again. I heard that faint, insistent thought. Something is wrong.
But the time had passed for a heart-to-heart. I could only hope that Lyari took care of herself while I was gone, and that we’d have another chance to repair the bridge between us.
“Okay,” I said. “Let’s do this.”
Tension rose around me. Offering any sort of comfort seemed like it would just make things worse, so I ignored it. My gaze met Laurie’s across the room. Warmth and longing filled my heart.
“If you go through with this, you’ll probably die,” he said matter-of-factly.
I glared at him. So much for a mature goodbye. “That should tell you exactly how sure I am,” I countered.
I was lying through my teeth, and both of us knew it. But we also had an audience, and Laurie had learned my family was a hard limit, so he didn’t call me out in front of them. Smart faerie.
