Page 88 of Bound in Blood

“It does not have to be a Christian symbol; it can be from any religion, but the relic must be believed in by the user.”

Axl drops his head and sighs. “So that means we’re out—we believe in fuck all. Ophelia, what about you?”

She shakes her head. “Not religion. But I do believe in something…”

I run the pad of my thumb over her jawline and tip her chin up so she’s staring into my eyes. “And what’s that, Cupcake?”

She narrows her eyes with determination. “Us.”

Alexandros wraps his arms around all three of us and pulls us into an embrace. All four of our heads press together. “We do not have to kill the wraith. It will be enough to send it back to the netherworld. And I believe I know a witch powerful enough to cast such a spell.”

I suspect he’s talking about Enora, but I don’t ask for clarification. As long as we get Malachi back, I don’t care how we get rid of the damn wraith.

We’ll get him back.Ophelia’s voice is full of conviction as it suffuses our collective thoughts.If I’m supposed to be some magical Chosen One with all these powers, then we’ll get him back.

As Alexandros promisedwe would be, we’re all seated on Anikêtos’s back for our return trip to Montridge. We cling to each other out of fear that another one of us may fall prey to the wraith.

Ophelia, being a quick study, has figured out the force field spell and has surrounded us with one. Hers, unsurprisingly, has a pink hue rather than an orange one, and it also handily serves to keep us safe from the elements. Still, it doesn’t block sound,and Anikêtos’s speed coupled with the wind makes it impossible to hear one another speak aloud, so we stick to our bond.

Did Giorgios show any special interest in Malachi whilst you were at his fortress?Alexandros asks.

No, I say.He didn’t really take much interest in any of us other than Ophelia.

Axl adds his agreement.

We’ll get him back, Ophelia says again. The phrase seems to have become her new mantra. I wish I had her conviction. All I can think about is Kai in pain. Or even worse, not in pain because as long as he’s hurting, he’s alive. I’ve tried reaching him at least a dozen times since we left Venezuela, but I can’t find him. And I know if Ophelia or Alexandros had, they would have let us know he’s alive.

Immortal soulless fuck or not, if the wraith has killed Kai, I will drag him back to the netherworld myself.

Chapter

Forty-One

OPHELIA

Anikêtos lands on the football field, one of the few places he can do so entirely undetected. While he remains cloaked from the view of others, his vast size makes it difficult for him to be anywhere where there are people.

Elpis circles overhead.

The campus is eerily quiet for a Friday evening.

“Where will you wait for us, old friend?” Alexandros asks.

Elpis and I will take shelter on the other side of the mountain, far from Giorgios’s army but where we can keep a close eye on them.

Alexandros thanks him, and Anikêtos spreads his huge wings and joins Elpis. The rush of wind almost blows me over, and Xavier wraps his arms around my waist. “Got you, Cupcake.”

“Be careful to mask your thoughts and emotions as much as possible at all times,” Alexandros warns. “Do not search for Malachi yet, for it may open you up to Giorgios’s detection. He will be anticipating our arrival, and I would prefer for him to remain unaware of our presence for as long as possible.”

Although it hurts not to search for Malachi and to close my mind off so he can’t find us if he’s looking, I know he’s right. So I do as he asks, bringing down all the walls I’ve learned to build.

Axl looks around. It has not taken him long to resume his role as Ruby Dragon Commander. Strategic and alert. “Where are we headed? We can’t go to either Ruby Dragon house, so where’s our base?”

Xavier frowns. “But that’s where he’ll have Kai, right? Shouldn’t we go straight there and get him?”

“My brother took him for a reason, and whatever that reason is, it buys us a little time. We cannot go there immediately when we do not know what we are walking into.” Alexandros cups Xavier’s face in his hands and presses their foreheads together. “I want him back just as much as you do. I assure you.”

Xavier mumbles his understanding.

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