Page 104 of Of Nine So Bold

“Clay,” Lars started.

Norbert made an angry noise. “What do you know, runt?”

Clay took a step forward, and Dex caught him across the chest with one arm. “Not now,” was all Dex said.

At Clay’s scowl, Norbert smirked. “Better listen to him—unless you want to be smashed into a muddy paste,Clay.”

Rage turned Clay’s face red. “At least the guyIlisten to isn’t letting women and kids starve.”

Norbert growled, starting forward.

“Enough,” Dex snapped. “We need to focus, remember? Or do you think that glamour Casimir cast will last forever?”

Everyone stopped, even the imbecilic Norbert. I just wanted to curse—at myself most of all. “Dex is right,” I said. “We’re wasting valuable time.”

“Agreed,” Ignatius replied.

I tensed. Wait. Agreed? Heagreed?

Gods, I wanted to look up and study his expression to determine what the hell that could mean. But damn me, I still couldn’t meet his eyes.

“If I take this off of you,” Casimir asked Ignatius, “will you assist in harnessing the magic necessary to control this gateway?”

“Yes.”

“Very well.” For all the firmness of his voice, I still caught a moment’s hesitation before Casimir reached out.

I braced myself, praying this was the right decision. Because if we were wrong and Ignatius endangered the princess…

I’d kill him.

Ice shivered through my gut while Casimir wrapped his hand around the metal. Gods help me, I really would kill him. I had no doubt in my mind.

Anyone who threatened that woman would die.

And by harming another scholar, I’d prove once and for all that I’d never been worthy of my vows.

Hell was how I’d lose either way.

Barely breathing, I watched Casimir. Pain tightened his face as his magic worked its way into the mechanism. Hissing between his teeth, he closed his eyes against it.

Clearly the magic in that band didn’t like him any more than it liked us.

The vampire whispered something under his breath. His hand quivered, but nothing else changed. He whispered it again, harsh and fast.

“What’s wrong?” Norbert demanded. “If you’re too weak, then let your girl do it. She got the thing off the runt here.”

A shudder went through Ozias. His lips peeled back with the beginnings of a furious snarl.

Norbert didn’t notice. “Hey, I?—”

“Said nothing that will be necessary,” Casimir interrupted icily as the lock clicked and the manacle fell from Ignatius’s wrist.

I braced myself.

Ignatius gasped as the metal hit the ground. He stumbled to one side, catching himself with a hand on the cavern wall.

I didn’t move a muscle, waiting for the attack.

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