Page 53 of Court of Evil

“Hi, I’m Tem.”

“Ronan.” A man waves from the back of the room, positioned as far as he can get from us.

“As lovely as this is, how about we get out of this dark, damp place? I have a debt to settle,” the white-haired man remarks.

Tate rolls her eyes and grins at me. “Are you ready to leave this place for good?”

“The portal?—”

“We can break it.” She speaks so confidently, even I believe her. “If you are ready?”

“I’m ready.” I nod, looking around at the place I was born and then trapped. The world above, even in darkness, was beautiful, unlike this place. I don’t know what will happen or where Tate will take me, but if I can taste freedom, even for a moment, then it’s worth it.

I follow her down the corridor, and something strange fills me as I stare at the bones piled there. I was starving after breaking the chains, able to see them in the water above but not taste them until some fell through the portal. I had no choice. Some of them were old and rotting, but I did what I had to.

“You’re feeling shame,” she murmurs. “Don’t. We have all done what we needed to so we could survive.” She glances up at the portal. “We are going to need to blast it to break it.”

“If we do, it will fall, and the link to this place will disappear,” the fae says. “So we better be quick.”

She nods as we gather below the portal, and then she looks to Tem. “Want to do the honours?”

He grins like he’s happy, waving his hand, and then the portal screams and starts to close. Sliding one arm around her waist, I push off from the ground and leap through the opening and into the lake above, powering through it like I have done many times before. This time, though, the portal doesn’t try to suck me back. All I feel is a link to the woman in my arms as I swim up and breach the surface.

She sucks in air and swims to the edge. I simply push from the water and land next to her on the embankment. A moment later, the others follow, and she stands, pulling her legs from the water as we stare at it.

There’s a glow within that grows brighter, yet we don’t look away, and then it explodes before suddenly going dark.

“It’s gone,” Tem says. “The portal is closed. You’re free.”

“Thank you.” The words feel foreign on my tongue, but I know that is the right phrase.

“You’re welcome.” She smiles at me. “Now let’s go dry off and get you some clothes. I might know someone who can help.”

The smile she gives me unnerves me.

CHAPTER 23

“When I meant you should meet Althea, I did not expect this,” Simon says as he crosses his arms, looking over my ragtag team and the naked vampyr. He blinks, dragging his gaze down his body then back to his face. “Congratulations.”

“Mate,” the wolf at his side growls.

Simon rolls his eyes. “You’re still the biggest, so calm down.” He meets my eyes. “It’s good to see you.”

“You as well, friend. This Althea . . . I don’t suppose she’ll have some clothes for . . . Addeus here?” I ask.

“I mean, maybe. One of her mates is a big fucker, but this one might be bigger. Guess we’ll see.” He turns, and we follow him into the sprawling Gothic estate.

I’m hoping we are welcome because I really don’t want to fight a horde of bloodthirsty vamps right now.

He walks through the front door without knocking, but we hesitate at the threshold. Simon looks at me, but a woman appears behind him, smiling widely.

She’s stunning, with long black hair, curves to die for, and eyes that sparkle like amethysts. “Took you long enough.” She smiles at Simon and then me. “You must be Tate.”

“Althea?” I ask.

“That’s me.” When I continue to hesitate, she steps back.

“Come in. My mates are working right now, so it’s just me.” She smiles wider, flashing fangs.

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