Page 65 of White Little Lies

He was right, Fiorus had broken away from the crowd to approach us, and Seraphina of all people was walking by his side.

He gave his daughter a hesitant look as he reached us, then he addressed me. “I cannot believe you went to the hells to retrieve our magic.”

I forced a smile. I probably shouldn’t tell him that itwasn’t exactly intentional. “It wasn’t right for her to steal it from you. That contract definitely wouldn’t have held up in court. Not that it could ever actually go to court, but you get what I mean.”

Fiorus’ furrowed brow said that maybe he didn’t, but regardless, he continued, “I had no idea how many of my own people were against me. How many wanted to come out into the world.” He glanced back toward the glowing cauldron, most of his people now gathered around it. “And now there is no choice.”

“We could still try to move it back to your realm,” I offered weakly.

“The other realm is gone,” Seraphina explained. “Only the well sustained it.”

“So what will you do now?” Crispin asked.

Fiorus’ eyes lifted to the raw iron fence behind us. It surrounded the entire park. The gates were closed in the evening, keeping humans out. “We will claim this land. Create our own boundary, as the others wish. Our well will give us enough power to do so.”

“Um, you can’t just steal a park.”

Fiorus’ eyes darkened. “Would you care to stop me? Once the boundary is formed, only nymphs and ones like yourself will be able to cross it.”

He had a point. “Well I don’tpersonallycare if you steal the park.”

He gave me a sharp nod. “Good.” He looked at Seraphina. “Say your thanks. You will be needed for theritual ahead.” He turned and walked toward his people and their well.

Once he was gone, I lowered my voice. “Does that mean your exile is lifted?”

Seraphina smirked. “Having half his followers turned against him has rattled him. He now sees the value in his daughters.” She shook her head. “But I won’t be coming back. I like my life, and now I will be able to see my sister whenever I please.”

“I’m happy for you.”

She looked at each of us. “But what about you? The bounty on your mother?”

I winced. “You heard about that, huh?”

“Word travels fast.” The guys shifted as she reached out and grabbed my arm. “You have helped my family. If you need help in return, I am here.”

“After what you guys just did to Penelope, I may just take you up on that.”

She smiled. “You do that.” She looked at each of the guys again. “It has been… interesting, but we must start work on the boundary now. I would suggest those of you without celestial blood not be in the park when the ritual completes.”

“Fine by me,” Crispin said. “I have a princess to pick up from a vampire bar. I’m sure her werewolf escort is ready to be relieved.”

Seraphina lifted a brow, but didn’t ask questions. She simply turned and walked away.

“Let’s get out of here,“ I suggested. “We have a lot to discuss.”

Crispin leftus to pick up Elena, which put me alone with Gabriel and Sebastian at the steps to my apartment.

“I would require a moment alone with Eva.” Sebastian’s eyes were on Gabriel, daring him to argue.

But the goblin said nothing. He simply took my keys and went ahead of us toward the apartment with Ringo on his shoulder.

Exhausted, I sat on the steps. We were somewhere in the early hours of morning where the city was almost entirely quiet. I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering slightly. It had been a long night.

Sebastian sat beside me. “You jumped realms tonight. Twice.”

I wasn’t sure why, but the idea made me uneasy. “Only because I had you to lead me in one direction, and Gabriel to lead me back.”

“Still. It’s progress.” He looked at me, his eyes shining in the darkness. “You regained one of your memories. What was it?”

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