Page 80 of Villainous Greed

Right before I dragged my gaze back to Melinda, I saw Mom studying Dad again. Dad leaned against Sebastian for support and her lips quivered.

My chest pinched tight. Dad was almost completely translucent.

Sorry, Dad.I had to focus on my mate. She mattered more than anyone else to me.

“I need you to focus on what you see,” Melinda said.

As soon as she touched my temples, my head tingled. “Even with the magic, it will be impossible for you to know the location. It’s important for you to remember exactly what you see, so you can use a portal chip to get there. If you get one thing wrong in the scenery, you could end up somewhere else.”

“I know how this works. I won’t get it wrong,” I said with certainty.

Melinda nodded. “Good. Nova’s been through enough.”

A sharp pang snapped my chest. Nova had been through too much. When Derrick was dead, the source of her pain would be half over. Harvest would be next.

“And you’re going to see what she’s seeing.” Melinda frowned. “We don’t know what’s happening, so I need you to keep it together if—”

“Hurry and do it,” I urged, feeling nauseous.

“The quicker I find her, the faster I put an end to the warlock’s life.”

With the spell Nova used to protect her from Derrick violating her, she would be safe. But not from his torture. How many minutes had gone by already? Too fucking many!

“Close your eyes,” Melinda instructed.

I did, and the tingling turned to burning on my scalp. The blackness I saw behind my closed lids became a raging Derrick looming over me. Veins protruded from his forehead as he shook Nova’s shoulders violently. “Tell me what spell you used!” he shouted in her face.

I squeezed my hands into fists as fury crashed into my chest, making it hard to breathe.

Nova said nothing as he put his hands around her neck.

“Focus, August,” Melinda said, reminding me I wasn’t really there with Nova. “Focus on the surroundings.”

So, I listened, but Derrick’s enormous head blocked my view. He was right in her face. Nova’s vision blurred with black spots.

My stomach sank. “Derrick’s choking her! She’s going to pass out before I can see behind him.”

“See if you can tell her to push him away or move her head at least,” Melinda rushed. “You’re mortal, but that doesn’t change your love for her. You can reach her, August.”

“Push him or move your head, little star,” I croaked. “I need to see where you are.”

I heard her inhale sharply. “August?”

Tears ran down my cheeks as her thought reached my mind. “I can hear her!”

“Good,” Melinda said. “Focus.”

“Can you move?” I asked Nova. “I need to see where you’re at so I can port there.”

The black spots in her vision worsened. “Get… off… me.” She wheezed as she spoke to Derrick. “I’ll tell you what spell I used.”

The warlock grinned maniacally as he released her neck and stepped back. Nova sat up and quickly glanced around.

“Shipping containers?” I frowned. To the left of the bed, there was a desk made of wood. Large containers filled the giant oval room. Other than the bed and desk, everything I saw was metal. “Good girl. Wait for me.”

“Always.”

My chest swelled with pride at her resilience.

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