Page 56 of Magic of Sins

“Yeah, you do that. Come on over. I’ll show you what I do to dirty liars like you.”

Her furious screaming is still ringing in my ears when I hang up the phone. I am shaking with dread.

It’s probably a stupid idea to go back to our apartment. In her state she might hurt me. But if the sin mage is still with her, her life is in danger. And it’s my fault. For alerting Caden’s enemies to my existence, and therefore to hers.

I square my shoulders, trying to quell the trembling. Hastily, I wipe the tears from my cheeks. I can’t let Erin see me like this, or she’ll stop me from leaving the palace. Heart racing, I open the door to the hallway.

The guard is leaning against the opposite wall with her arms crossed. When she sees me, she straightens.

“Can you do me a favor?” I ask her.

“Of course, what do you need?”

“Could you call Mr.Nox and tell him I left something at my apartment? He’s forbidden me to go there again, so…”

I pray she doesn’t hear the quiver in my voice. I want to scream at her; every second I stand here is one second wasted.

Erin frowns. “You want me to call him right now?”

“Yes, please. I really need to get it right away.”

“What is it? Maybe Ophelia can–”

“No,” I interrupt her harshly.

Now Erin knows for sure that something is wrong, but I don’t give her time to think about it.

“Just call him! Tell him to drive over there right away. My roommate knows what it’s about. She’s expecting him.”

I push her toward the phone room and expect her to resist. But she just shrugs.

“If it’s that important to you.”

“It is.”

As the door closes behind Erin, I dare to breathe a sigh of relief. Now I can only hope she reaches Caden and he actually drives to my apartment. If not, I’m the only one who can save Ava. And I have no idea how to do that.

I don’t take the time to change. Wrapped in my dressing gown, I run through the palace. I come across a maid who stares at me open-mouthed, but she doesn’t stop me.

“Can I help you, miss?” I hear a male voice from somewhere.

I ignore it. If I’m lucky, I’ll manage to persuade the guard at the gate to call me a car. If I’m unlucky, I’m stopped before reaching the exit, and then Ava is left to fend for herself.

How could I be so thoughtless? All this time, the only thing I’ve been worried about is my own safety. About Caden’s enemies getting their hands on me.Why did I never consider that Ava—my roommate and best friend—might be in danger too?

As I reach the courtyard and hurry across the gravel, I wish I had at least taken the time to put on shoes. A sharp-edged stone cuts into the sole of my foot. I ignore the pain and focus entirelyon the guardhouse in front of me. There’s a light on inside. The guard stationed there has already spotted me. I can see him squinting to get a better look, and astonishment shows on his face as he steps outside.

“Please,” I gasp, completely out of breath, “I need a car!”

“Is everything all right, miss?”

“Car. Now!” I order him. “Or you’ll answer directly to Princess Ophelia about your lack of assistance. This is a matter of life and death.”

The guard looks taken aback. I’ve never before spoken to another human like that. I want to slap my hand over my mouth and apologize to him, but that seems counterproductive.

He scrutinizes me from top to bottom. His gaze lingers on my injured foot. Blood stains the white gravel beneath my feet red. The guard slowly shakes his head.

“I’m sorry. I can’t just call you a car. It’s against regulations.”

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