Page 69 of Princess Avenged

“We have learned all we can from books,” Zuben says. “And the council will only speak with Ember in person.”

“Sounds like you guys had a productive night too?” Flame winks at me, then drapes his arm over my shoulder, bringing back sense memories of the night we spent together in the woods. I feel so much closer to Flame now, and it helps me resist pushing past Crusher and into Phil’s arms.

“Why don’t we all sit,” I say. “And you can let us all know what you’ve learned.”

“Great idea.” Ryker strides into the room, dressed in leather, including a well-worn jacket that looks out of another time. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen Ryker, a former pirate, not dressed in leather. Taking Ember’s hand, he pulls her along with him, and they sit in the center of one of the sofas, his arm draped around her.

Axel sits on her other side, and the cushions dip under his weight, tipping her against him. Growling low, under his breath, he turns and presses his nose against her hair, as if inhaling her scent.

Flame leads me to the sofa opposite theirs, and he and Blade sink in on either side of me. Zuben sits with a clear view of both sofas, and Phil and Crusher remain standing—Phil off in the corner, and Crusher opposite Zuben.

Arms folded over his chest, Crusher scans the room, as if someone appointed him captain or referee. Not that there’s a game afoot, or any kind of battle—other than my internal battle of trying to stay away from Phil.

Phil looks so sad, so lost, and it seems like a million years since I’ve been in his arms. But I need to focus right now, so we can solve this problem.

“What’s going on?” I ask Ember. “What do you need from the Council of Magic Keepers?”

Ryker fondles the side of her neck.

“Zuben and Blade,” she replies, “have read every book on demons known to vampirekind, but we still have questions.”

Setting my hand on Blade’s leg, I turn toward him. “Questions about how to kill the demon? Or how to get it out of Phil’s head?”

Blade sets his hand on top of mine. “We have some ideas, but nothing solid, and since Phil’s life is at stake, and yours?—”

“The fate of the entire world is at stake,” Zuben interjects. “Before we take any action, we need to be certain—as certain as possible. We need to ensure that no stone is left unturned.”

Turning every stone seems excessive, but I keep my opinion to myself. Blade loves reading and research, but from what Ember has told me, Zuben’s on a whole other level.

“The magic keepers have more books?” I ask Ember.

She shifts forward. “The legends say it was magic keepers who first allowed demons to enter this realm, but they also sent them back where they belong.”

“Most of them,” Phil interjects, and then his face tenses, as if he’s in pain or fighting against something.

My heart nearly breaks in two, and it takes every ounce of willpower inside me to keep from leaping across the room to offer him comfort.

“Whatever you need to do.” I look between everyone. “This is too important to leave to chance.”

Blade slides his hand along my jaw, drawing my gaze toward his. “Ember, Zuben and I are also going to seek an audience with the Council of Magic Keepers.”

My heart catches, but I nod. I’ll hate to be separated from Blade for even a night, but this meeting does seem wise. If questions come up, or if theories need to be vetted, it’s best if everyone who’s done extensive research is present.

“You should come too,” Ember says, and I turn toward her, wondering who she’s talking to.

“Who? Me?” I press my back against the sofa cushions. “Really?”

She nods.

I straighten. “Then we should all go.”

Ember shakes her head. “Phil can’t go.”

“Why?” I look toward my big, red-headed love, and he averts his gaze, shifting as he stands in the corner. Have they already discussed this without me? Did Axe fill him in when he talked him out of spending the day in that cave?

“If the witches get their hands on Phil,” Ryker says, “they’ll never let him go.”

“They’ll fucking kill him,” Axe adds. “Or worse.” He growls deep in his chest, and this time his growl is menacing. Ember strokes his cheek, and he visibly calms.

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