Page 24 of Soulbound Shadows: Part 2

“More or less,” Marcus said. “To specific locations. It isn’t an all-access pass to the world.”

“But,” Iskra said, “some of Aurelia’s interest in ley lines managed to become part of the vampires she created. Even now, my kind are attuned to the ley lines. We tend to be drawn to their intersections. That’s part of the reason why there are so many of us in this city. Eldoria is practically a spiderweb of the things. Most of us who have the means have settled directly on top of the intersections. And naturally, the most important buildings in the city are constructed with the ley lines in mind.”

“Like the citadel,” I said.

She flashed a small, quick smile. “Like the citadel, yes.”

“So, if Gabriel’s being held there, I can get in and find him,” I said, leaning forward eagerly on the bench. “I can get him out.”

“And I am willing to bet that my son is indeed being held there,” Iskra said. “Unfortunately, I know Roland extremely well. I know what he’s likely subjecting Gabriel to. I’ve taken the liberty of compiling a short list of the most likely locations where he might be held.” She raised a pale hand and began to count off the options on her fingers. “First, the portrait hall. It’s filled with paintings of the family over the years, including depictions of Roland’s self-proclaimed noble conquests. Second, the blood cellar. If he is doing what I suspect he’s doing, the easy access might appeal to him. Roland is deeply lazy, you understand. The third and final option is Gabriel’s room.”

“How close are they to the intersections?” I asked.

“The first two are practically on top of them,” Iskra told me. “And the third isn’t far. If we can teach you, you could inspect all three locations fairly quickly.”

“That’s a big if,” I muttered.

“It is,” Marcus said on a sigh. “But between myself and Iskra, I believe we can pull it off.”

There was a discreet cough from the doorway, and Marcus and I startled. Iskra didn’t. Damien stood in the hallway.

“Hey,” he said. “They told me you guys were up here. Room for one more?” He was looking at me weirdly again. It was a hungry, searching look, like he was trying to memorize me as quickly as he could. It wasn’t lecherous, though, which put me even more on edge. If he’d just been horny, I would’ve known how to deal with it.

“I’m glad you got out okay,” Damien told me. “Xarek told me you two made it out, but…” He gave me an odd, strained smile. “Anyway. I would’ve come sooner, but?—”

“You had to keep up your cover,” I snapped, and he winced.

Iskra was watching him with a cold, assessing expression I was glad wasn’t turned in my direction. Marcus seemed content to observe all of this from his spot halfway inside the fern.

“They were getting rid of your stuff,” Damien told me. “I didn’t want to risk sneaking anything out, not with the magic detectors in place, but I found your portal stone necklace.”

My necklace. I hadn’t taken it off since Marcus had given it to me. It was my emergency escape—a portal out of danger when I needed it. Most of the time, I just smoothed my thumb over the dip in the center of the pendant to soothe myself. It was a reminder that I could get out of damn near any situation if it went really bad, which gave me that extra bit of bravery to stay and try to fix it. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed the thing, but suddenly it was impossible to ignore.

“I thought I could try to grab it for you before it’s destroyed,” Damien said. “Seems like it could be useful.”

“I don’t think I’m gonna need it anymore,” I said. “But there’s someone who does. You should take it to Gabriel.”

“The pendant won’t get him out,” Marcus said. “The citadel is warded against that sort of magic, but it’s a good thought.”

“I know it won’t,” I muttered, suddenly embarrassed. “It’s not for that.” There was no way the wards would let a charm like that through, and without witch training, Gabriel wouldn’t be able to activate the stone. But when I was locked up, it would’ve helped me to have something of Gabriel’s with me.

“You should take it to him anyway,” Iskra said, unfreezing enough to speak. “My son is sentimental. He feels deeply. A reminder of Evangeline might be exactly what he needs.”

My cheeks flushed. The fact Iskra thought I meant that much to him reassured me, and the fact she didn’t seem to actively disapprove was a nice bonus.

“I’d have to find him first,” Damien said.

“You don’t know where he is?” I asked. “Aren’t you supposed to be Roland’s right-hand man?”

Damien shook his head, frowning. “Roland’s being cagey about it. I think he’s starting to get suspicious of me. Or, hell, maybe he’s just getting paranoid about everybody these days.”

“Iskra has a list of places he might be,” I said sweetly, gesturing at the stone-faced vampire queen. “You two should chat.”

The corner of Damien’s eye twitched, and I bit back a grin. It was nice to know Iskra’s terrifying stare could get to him, too.

But something bugged me. “If the citadel is warded against spells like the portal, how do we know I’ll be able to get in?” I asked. I didn’t want to go into detail about what we were planning with Damien in earshot.

“Because what we’re planning is old enough that they won’t have bothered to ward against it,” Iskra said.

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