Page 34 of Ascension of the Pack

I knocked once on Nina’s wooden exterior and strode inside. To my surprise, David was inside my own personal safe haven sipping a cup of tea. ‘David!’ I exclaimed. ‘What are you doing here?’

He blinked. ‘You told me to talk to Nina to stop her from being lonely. With all my panic about Daniella, I needed to not be alone, too.’

My mind cleared. ‘Of course I did. Thank you so much for helping Nina. And I have great news – we found Daniella! She’s home, no doubt looking for you inside the mansion!’

His mouth dropped open. ‘She’s home? How did you get her away from the dragon?’ He had been in on our heist talks so no doubt he’d put two and two together. We’d gone to Geneve’s to steal the orb and we’d come back with Daniella.

I grimaced. ‘I killed her.’

He stared at me. ‘That’s some feat,’ he said finally.

‘Yeah, and I’m not feeling all that warm and fuzzy about it.’

‘Did you get the orb?’ he asked eagerly.

‘Yep!’ I patted the bag on my hip. ‘Now go to Daniella. I told her how upset you were when she went missing.’ I grinned. ‘She was pleased to hear it.’

He gave me a faint smile in return. ‘Right,’ he said, clearing his throat awkwardly. ‘Well, excuse me, ladies.’ He patted Nina familiarly on the walls as he left.

‘Hey, Nina,’ I said when David had shut the door behind him. ‘I have big news!’ I wondered if she could already sense the orb. ‘We’ve got the orb back!’

I heard you tell David! Oh my goodness!She sounded giddy with excitement.Lucy, this is amazing!

I pulled it out of my bag and presented it to her. ‘Ta-da!’

In response, Nina ripped away the floorboards and sent me plunging to the room below.

Chapter 21

Esme was on it; she took over and we landed gracefully on our still-human feet.Thanks.

I’ve got your back.

I nuzzled her affectionately in reply then I complained aloud. ‘Nina! You have got to stop doing that!’

Sorry,she said sheepishly.I got carried away.

‘No shit,’ I muttered and checked the bag was still okay. It was fine; anyway, I suspected it would take more than a little bump to damage the orb.

I was back in the room where the orb was supposed to reside and it was clear that Nina had been working on it. When I was last there, the red walls had been peeling and the room had smelled of neglect, so it showed something of her faith in me that she’d completely redecorated. She had believed the orb would be restored and she’d brought the room back to an appropriate standard. This time she’d painted the walls a cool blue and had lights fitted. The focalpoint of the room was still the stone dais that the orb was supposed to occupy.

I brushed down my clothes and took a deep breath. This was the moment I’d worked towards for weeks – months even. It felt like a lifetime ago since I’d stood over Yorick’s corpse and Reynard had first hinted about the gargoyles’ air powers, and I’d been on course to find it since then. Admittedly, the universe seemed hellbent on sending me problem after problem to delay me; even Daniella’s kidnapping had felt like some sort of test by the powers-that-be. But I’d done it: I’d finally got the orb and it had all led to this moment.

I licked my lips, reached into the bag and pulled it out, then dropped the bag to the floor. This moment needed my full attention. Holding the orb in both hands, I walked slowly towards the plinth with my hands outstretched. Carefully, reverently, I laid it on its spot on the stone dais. I held my breath and waited for it to light up.

Nothing happened.

Is it working?Terrance asked.

I stared at the dull orb and expelled my breath in a sharp huff.I don’t think so. Nina, can you do something? You turned it off – can you turn it back on again?I asked hopefully.

I compelled it to sleep,she admitted.Now it is so deeply asleep that I can’t compel it to do anything. My vampyr-thrall powers have nothing to grasp to work with.

I reached out with my piping magic but there was nothing to hold on to.Wake up!I tried, but I wasn’t holding anything in my thrall for it to obey me. I tried again with the orb in my hand and then again with me humming a tune. Nothing.

I felt the first stirrings of panic. This wasn’t how I’d envisioned this moment. I finally had the orb and I couldn’t make the damned thing work!

Before panic seized me, Terrance gave a thoughtful hum.There is an ember there still, as there is within you.He sounded as if he was musing aloud.

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