Page 78 of The Fate of Eternity

“The dome it formed around us was impressive,” Brody muses, and I shake my head.

“But if it wasn’t there, one of us could have hit back at them,” I state, completely aware that one of the people on the other side of that barrier was his father. We should probably have a conversation about that and what our response will be, but for now, we can focus on Vallie and her uncle. The rest will come later.

“I feel like I’ve read something about this before,” he replies, tapping his finger mindlessly against his chin as he thinks. “I’m not sure.”

“I thought you were a mage? Aren’t you supposed to retain every scrap of information you’ve ever so much as glanced at so you can recall it in the most annoying circumstance possible?” Cassian grumbles, cocking a brow at his friend, who offers him a one-finger salute in response.

“You’re damn right I’m a mage, but the shit I’m talking about, it’s not part of the formal curriculum. It’s tingling at the edge of my brain, but I feel like it was a myth or something, so my mind didn’t filter it in,” he explains, offering me an apologetic look.

“Whatever it is, its sole focus seems to be on protection. I’m not a defensive person; I’m all about charging into the chaos,” I state, releasing a frustrated huff that makes my chest deflate.

“Maybe it’s a counter-balance to the chaos you usually seek. Maybe it’s supposed to make you step back and think,” Kryll offers, which does nothing to ease the annoyance rattling in my chest.

“There’s stepping back to think, and there’s stepping out of the picture entirely, and that’s exactly what it felt like.”

Footsteps echo in the distance, cutting off the rest of my grumbling as we all stiffen. The shrill sound of Vallie’s voice makes my muscles bunch together, but I force them to ease as she draws closer.

“Ready?” Raiden asks as Brody starts to chant softly under his breath.

I take a deep breath, shaking out my bones as I lie down. “As I’ll ever be.”

38

BRODY

“Quies. Lenio. Delinio. Resido. Quies. Lenio. Delinio. Resido. Quies. Lenio. Delinio. Resido. Quies. Lenio. Delinio. Resido. Quies. Lenio. Delinio. Resido.”My eyes close as my words grow lower and lower. Once they take effect, I redirect my chanting.“Prensio. Captura. Tenere. Prensio. Captura. Tenere. Prensio. Captura. Tenere. Prensio. Captura. Tenere. Prensio. Captura. Tenere.”

The telltale sound of the key entering the lock echoes around the room as my words die off. It takes all of my strength to pry my eyes open enough to check the room before a sense of satisfaction washes over me. It doesn’t last long, not when the plan isn’t entirely foolproof, but it’s what Adrianna wanted, so it’s what I will provide.

The shackles that lay against the wall now encapsulate each of our wrists as our bodies lay limp on the floor. Vallie steps into the room and the giggle of glee that vibrates off the walls is exactly what I was hoping for.

This dumb bitch is going to get what’s coming, and I’m more than happy to be the one to give it to her if necessary.

“Uncle, I can’t believe it,” she sings with glee, clapping wildly as my heart rate slowly thumps in my ears.

“I told you, Vallie. Power is ours for the taking.”

“I know, but my father said that too, and look what happened to him. He didn’t make good on a single promise, unlike you,” she squeals. “She’s completely passed out and at my mercy. It’s like the best birthday present I could ever receive, and it’s six months away!”

My goodness, she’s insufferable.

Just as my spell was designed to do, the grogginess begins to ease from my limbs as I groan. I mustn’t be the only one coming to life from the heaviness of the magic because she sneers, but it’s not aimed at me.

“Raiden!” she yells unnecessarily, and I manage to pry my eyes open again in time to watch her march in his direction. The vampire chained to the wall sneers up at her with pitch-black eyes, a venomous aura engulfing him.

“Fuck off,” he grunts, shuffling to sit up and lean back against the wall.

“You don’t get to speak to me like that. Not anymore. Tell him, Uncle,” she preens, flicking her hair over her shoulder as I groan.

She really isn’t dead, and that’s fucking disappointing.

“Your uncle can fuck off too,” Raiden snaps back, and Vallie inches forward, swiping the back of her hand across his face.

My gaze darts to Addi, but she remains flat out on the floor. I can’t decide whether it’s a good thing or not, but either way, Vallie isn’t making this any easier for herself.

“That’s Councilman Drummer to you.”

“I didn’t like the last Councilman Drummer. I can’t see that changing with this one, but thanks,” Raiden snorts in response, eyes narrowed on the pair.

---