Page 160 of Magic of the Damned

He moved closer to his father, dropping his voice to a whisper and ignoring the buzz of discussion about the Dark Caster’s presence and Helena’s abduction. The group didn’t seem concerned about Helena being missing and wouldn’t be easily persuaded to do anything about it.

“You need to form a search party. Convince them of the importance of finding Helena. At this moment, the only thing they care about is the Caster’s involvement.”

I wasn’t confident that Areleus would be able to do it and that searching for Helena would be left to them.

Not giving Areleus an opportunity for further debate, and placing his hand on my back, Dominic steered me toward the SUV.

“I don’t want to go to the Underworld or your mother’s realm,” I blurted out once in the car.

“It wouldn’t be safe for you there anyway. If Ophelia has Helena, she’s probably looking for an entrance there. I don’t believe you’re a priority now that she has her, but you’re still a target. I won’t allow you to be an easy target.”

So many people hated me and blamed me for things, I didn’t bother to ask. The only person I’d trust would be Dominic and Anand. In my opinion, even Ileana was suspect.

CHAPTER 7

Dominic remained distracted while he navigated toward my apartment, probably worrying about Areleus’s ability to persuade them to look for Helena. Charging next to me was the phone Dominic had retrieved from the glove compartment and given me to replace mine. I had no idea when I’d lost my phone. The last time I was sure it was with me was when I attempted to steal Peter’s magic. If that was when it was lost, I was positive it had been destroyed. There wasn’t any doubt that the anger and wrath he felt for me was enacted on my phone. But I’d erase my information nevertheless.

A concerned look marred Dominic’s features. He was burdened with the same conundrum that most siblings experience. Angry with their sibling but adhering to the rule that no one else could ever hurt them. It was solely the domain of other siblings. Despite threatening to kill her hours ago, preventing her ending Celeste and thereby ending an entire bloodline of witches, he’d do whatever was necessary to find her.

What benefit did the Dark Caster see in taking Helena? How would she use her against the royals and Ileana? Helena possessed her own powerful magic, was a skilled fighter, and her explosive temper was just a cross word from being detonated. She craved power and her loyalty was tenuous, but I didn’t believe she’d destroy her whole family and the realms of the Underworld to attain it.

Emoni’s head snapped up from the book she was reading on the sofa, when I opened the door. A weekender and smaller bag were housed in the corner of the room. A cup of coffee next to her. She’d made herself at home, or as much as she could while waiting for me. The crease of worry was the first thing I noticed about her.

“Hi,” her small voice offered as she pulled out the key explaining her presence. At my approach, she exhaled a soft, ragged breath, relief smoothing out her frown. It was quickly restored at the sight of Dominic.

“I’ve been here since you left to visit your family for dinner because I hadn’t heard from you since then.” Her gaze returned to Dominic. “My worries don’t seem to be a priority for you these days.”

The pain in her voice was palpable, overshadowing the tinge of anguish. It felt like a gut punch. It had to seem like I’d abandoned her and stopped caring about her feelings.

“It’s been a really rough couple of days.” My voice broke. She stood up and stiffened, as if forcing herself not to offer comfort or let me off the hook. She wanted answers. She deserved answers. Emoni had a hard time averting her eyes from Dominic, to whom she’d definitely attributed blame. The cold ire in them had no effect on him. Often on the receiving end of hostility, he’d developed an immunity to it.

“That’s on me,” Dominic provided, cool and devoid of emotion. It was a statement, not a request for forgiveness or understanding. Things happened and he would not offer any excuse for it. Emoni had no intention of offering anyway.

“We’re not friends,” she shot back at him, obviously not in a mood to be placated by his ownership of responsibilities. Dragging her eyes from Dominic, she fixed them on me. “We are.”

The hurt in her voice broke my heart. If the roles were reversed, I would have been sick with worry, and disappointed, too. And that’s what was happening. It showed in her deflated expression, the glisten of unshed tears in her eyes, and her burdened posture. I was responsible for it. What had it been like for her the past few days?

“You’re right. I’m so sorry.” Pulling her into a hug, I whispered a promise. “I’ll tell you everything. Not the abridged version. Everything.”

Turning to Dominic, I nodded for him to go. Even at my urging, he seemed reluctant to leave.

“Go,” I pressed him. “Find Helena.” Nothing he said would make things right with Emoni, so I’d have to do my best. He moved toward me, cupped my chin in his hand. Warm lips covered mine, his tongue entwining and exploring mine with a ravenous hunger and a promise to continue. Delicious heat coursed through me. When he pulled away, I felt his absence and his commanding presence.

Only a beat of time had passed. Knowing the drill, I pulled a strand of hair and gave it to him.

Emoni scrutinized the exchange. “What are you going to do with that?” she asked.

“A ward. It is linked to her and she’s the only one who can break it.” Dominic went on to explain the rules and limitations of the ward.

“If I do the same, can it be linked to us both, preventing her dismantling it without me?” She gave me a look that dared me to challenge her request. Her expression was hopeful as she moved her hand to her hair.

“I can’t do that.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“Can’t.” His response was clipped as he fought his irritation dealing with a rightfully worried Emoni.

“Can you make a ward that would keep us here and prevent us leaving?”

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