Page 101 of Adversary to the Villain

“Moira?” Lyssa whispered.

Mo gave Lyssa a quizzical smile. “My full name.”

Lyssa appeared fearful, taking a step away, then another.

Alexander was at her side instantly, standing in front of the child, prepared to shield her if necessary, small as he was, not trusting the gleam in Mo’s eye. Furiously he scribbled down one word.

No

Lyssa objected. “Who are you—”

“Moira.” The librarian was unruffled as the book in Lyssa’s hands began to shake until it flung out of her fingers and into Mo’s. “I’ve missed you,” Mo breathed, running her fingers down the front pages. “And I’m sorry, to all of you.”

“For what?” Gideon asked, nearly frantic at the way the tone of the room had changed.

“This.”

The book opened, and one by one…they were dragged inside.

Chapter 49

Evie

“How can my dagger still have any magic if it returned to you?” Evie asked dubiously, walking with Trystan through Hickory Forest after saying their goodbyes to Helena. Marv and Roland had agreed to just a few days more at the Fortis Fortress to try more remedies for Marv’s poison.

“I believe because there is a piece of my magic still living within you. It belongs to you now.”

She was selfish. Because she wanted more than a piece; she wanted it all. The dagger vibrated back at her side. The call to the scar was a little fainter now, but warm and comforting, as was the man beside her.

They ambled back to the manor. Slowly. Taking in the other’s presence after so long apart.

Seven days.

Each as painful as a year passing between them.

She didn’t wish to think of it. “Why did Benedict have Otto Warsen hide it in a dagger at all? Why not the memory flower, like other magic he’s stolen?”

“I suppose the Core Healer magic was too potent for the memory flower Benedict had taken it with. He thought to hide it within a dagger Otto Warsen was forging for safekeeping instead.”

“The one he cut me with.”

Trystan tensed beside her, his fist clenching at his side. “Yes, the one he cut you with.”

“He’s already dead, you know,” she reminded him with a poke to his shoulder, then grabbed it tight when he hoisted her over a puddle without warning before gently placing her back down.

“For which I am glad,” he said vehemently. “For the sake of my torture implements.”

She tried not to swoon.

“So, you’re a Core Healer?” Evie smirked, scanning him up and down. “Are you going to grow a long beard and travel the continent, throwing wild parties?”

“It does seem backward, doesn’t it?” he mused. “That my magic is the healing sort.”

Evie thought of the past months, remembering how he’d quietly protected those he loved. “No,” she replied softly. “It’s not backward at all.”

The red on his cheeks deepened, and he was gruff when he replied, “All right. I’ve had enough of the compliments.”

“No way. I haven’t gotten to commend how handsome and gallant you are!” She laughed, and he turned, capturing the sound with his mouth, wiping the smile from her expression and replacing it with heat.