Page 161 of Protected in Darkness
“Who is it? The male you’re in love with?”
Acadia’s amethyst eyes lowered. “Kaj.”
“The vampire?”
“Yes.”
“Is he youramsouelot?”
Acadia shook her head. “Fortunately, no.”
“Fortunately?” Penelope didn’t understand. “Why wouldn’t you want him to be?”
“It’s not about want,” Acadia said softly. “We all must make sacrifices.” Acadia’s back straightened. “Speaking of sacrifices, we must go now.”
Taking a deep breath, Penelope gave her reflection one last glance, then nodded.
Acadia took her hand, helped her to her feet. It was then she realized her knees were trembling, her muscles weak. Was she really going to do this?
The answer came in the form of her legs moving as she followed Acadia to the door, out into the hallway, through the living room. She’d been this route a hundred times over the past few weeks, but it all seemed different now.
When they reached the second floor landing, Zeus and Aphrodite were there, sitting patiently as though waiting for her.
Unable to resist, she took a moment to pet their soft heads.
Acadia cleared her throat, clearly paying attention to the time.
Forcing one foot in front of the other, Penelope followed the Fae down the next flight of stairs, surprised to see the dogs were walking alongside her, as though protecting her.
Penelope came up short in the kitchen when she saw Oliver setting a jug of orange juice on the counter.
His shrewd gaze ran over her quickly. “Where’re you going?”
“I’ll be back soon,” she assured him, not wanting to get into the details. Despite their issues, she wasn’t sure Oliver would allow her to go if he knew she was about to die.
As she continued her trek, she was grateful she hadn’t encountered Winnie. No way could she look at her best friend and not spill the beans. That was the last thing any of them needed.
“Where are you taking me?” she said conversationally as Acadia led the way to the stairs leading beneath the mansion.
“It’s known as the mating chamber. They built it for this purpose. Becauseamsouelotsare out of commission during thelintamair, they wanted a safe place where no one could bother them. It’s the best-kept secret in the mansion. No one sees it unless they’re going into it.”
“What’s in there?”
“You’ll see soon enough.”
Penelope took a deep breath, exhaled slowly as Acadia opened a door. There was a dark stairwell that led deeper underground. Zeus and Aphrodite waltzed in before them, scurrying down the narrow steps.
“How many levels does this place have?”
“This is the lowest. It’s the most protected.”
Once they’d descended about forty steps, they came upon another door.
“Protected from what?”
Acadia opened the door and Penelope’s breath hitched.
“Everything,” she said simply. “We will all remain here until the two of you emerge. At no time will either of you be left undefended.”
