Page 140 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“How could you be so foolish as to make a deal with the serpent queen?”

“I thought I was smarter than her.”

“Ha! She has been haunting men for a millennium.”

A look of resignation washed over Conrad’s face.

“I need my magic back, and the only way to do that is to use the siren’s song to control her guards.”

Tharan was torn between wanting to save his love and helping his friend.

“You know what Aelia is, right?”

Conrad raised a brow. “Yes, I know of her powers.”

“Then give me the necklace, and when I have freed her, we will use her power to break the guards’ minds.”

Conrad’s brows now knitted as he considered his friend’s offer.

“Would she be able to do something like that?”

“There is a well of untapped power stored within her. There’s no telling what she can do.”

Conrad sighed.

“Fine. Take it.” He unclasped the necklace and handed it to Tharan. The warm stone lay heavy in his hand. “You know I’m a romantic, Tharan.”

A smile tugged at the corners of Tharan’s lips.

“I know you are a good man under all those layers of stone.”

“Get out of here before I change my mind.” Conrad rolled his eyes at his friend.

Tharan looked at Amolie, who nodded to the pirate.

“Thanks again.”

The two headed back to the Alder Townhome as fast as they could.

“I called for Roderick and Caiden. Hopefully, they can portal here quickly,” Amolie said, taking a seat in the study. “I guess I should tell you. I think they found something.”

Tharan stoked the fire, thinking of the torture Calliope could inflict upon Aelia. He barely heard Amolie.

“What? Oh? Really?”

“Yes.”

Tharan let out a breath. “Well, that’s good.” Taking a seat across from Amolie, he lit a cigarette. “I don’t know what I’ll do if anything happens to her, Amolie.”

Amolie let out a small chuckle.

“Aelia is good at getting out of shitty situations.”

“I know, but this feels different.” Tharan let out a plume of smoke.

“Itisdifferent when you love someone.”

“I guess you’re right. I was never this protective with…” His voice trailed off.

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