Page 38 of White Little Lies

“And what if you come into contact with the poisoner?“

He had a point, but— “Gabriel can protect me.“

“While he is impressive,” he said it like he didn’t really think so at all, “my magic will be of greater use to you.”

Dammit, too many good points. “Why are you doing this? You don’t care about Aaliyah.“

“That is correct, but if you can do this,” he twirled one hand in the air, “it is proof that you can do more. Proof that we can finally move forward.”

He was right. About everything. Double dammit. I glanced at Gabriel, though he still couldn’t see us. He was not going to be happy about Sebastian going with me instead. “Fine. But no hurting anyone if we can help it.“

“Of course.“ He gave me a truly devilish smile.

I narrowed my eyes. “Why don’t I believe you?“

“I believe your roommate is in his bedroom ordering food. You may eat, if you wish, then we will get started.”

I glared at him, not sure if I could eat a single bite even though I had been starving just a little while ago. Even after everything, I found that I still didn’t fully trust Sebastian. I trusted him to keep me alive, sure, but just because I was useful to him. I didn’t trust him to not get anyone else hurt. And that was a problem.

I almost found myself wishing I had tested things further with Crispin earlier. Surely an elven wizard would be just as good as a devil in a realm of nymphs?

I looked at Gabriel as Sebastian’s bubble dissipated. Either way, Sebastian was right. Gabriel was an excellent protector, but his inherent magic was more in his physicality. This was a mission of stealth. Sebastian’s shadowy magic made far more sense.

Now to explain that to the brooding goblin looking at Sebastian like he wanted to snap him in half.

“This really is not ideal.“Crispin spun a slow circle, taking in the dark surrounding trees. Clouds blocked out most of the moon, and the city lights seemed far away in the center of the wooded park.

We were in the park where we had dropped Aaliyah off, reasoning that the closer we were to the portal, the easier it would be to end up in the right place. If only the nymphs lived behind a normal boundary.If there was a boundary I could actually see, I could easily cross it. But the portal was only visible to anyone with nymph blood.

Which was why Seraphina was with us, her eyes wary like she might be attacked at any moment. She turned those wary eyes toward Crispin. “Do not worry. There is no reason for anyone to protect this side of the portal. No one unwanted ever comes through.“

Crispin stroked his chin, looking at the area Seraphina had defined as the portal. “Yes, that’s not actually what I’m worried about. Our Eva usually jumps to another person. When she tries to jump to an area, things tend to go wrong.“

“Can she not then just focus on my sister?” Seraphina asked.

Crispin’s eyes slid toward me. “It is not just any person who can lure her.”

“Stop talking about me like I’m not here,“ I huffed. I looked at Sebastian and Gabriel. “Can we just get this over with?“

“Gladly,“ Sebastian said with a smooth smile.

Gabriel glared at him while Crispin hopped into motion. I would attempt to just use Sebastian‘s power to guide me, bringing only him along. But this was all too new to dismiss the possible need for more of a… charge. Hence, Gabriel. And Crispin had come along to observe, and maybe to guide. Maybe he could figure something out to make this all a little easier.

As we all moved together, Ringo hopped down frommy shoulder and scampered over to Crispin, as planned. He hadn’t wanted to stay behind, but there was no way I was going to risk losing him in the nymph realm. Crispin knelt, offering Ringo his hand, then lifted the little goblin onto his shoulder. The elf seemed perfectly fine with the little goblin being so close to him, which I appreciated.

Crispin pressed his palms together in front of his face, taking a moment to study each of us, including Seraphina. “Well, shall we?“

“We shall,” I said, impatient to get moving. It had taken time to reach Crispin in Emerald Heights, time that Aaliyah might not have. I just hoped we weren’t too late.

“Point out the portal one last time?” Crispin asked Seraphina.

Still looking nervous, she nodded, then traced a large space with her hands in the air. “It’s here. I can still see it, even though its magic has been tuned against me.”

Crispin tilted his head. “The nymphs can tune a boundary against a single person?”

Seraphina hesitated, then answered, “It all has to do with our magical well. My family severed my connection to the well, therefore I can no longer use the portal.”

I was dying to know just what Seraphina had done to be exiled, but maybe if I saved her sister, she wouldfinally tell me. I moved right in front of the space she had outlined, and Sebastian joined me.

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