Page 75 of Eternal Captive

“Atlas,” Aurelia warned.

She gave her a sheepish grin as an apology before her expression turned serious.

“There’s been a rogue,” she announced, her eyes locked on the leftover blood in her glass. “Well, multiple. We thought it was just one, but it turns out it’s multiple.”

“You don’t deal with rogues,” Aurelia pointed out.

“No,” Atlas said through gritted teeth. “But after getting the attention of the human police, they started investigating the clans. Once the council heard, they began imposing restrictions on us.”

I perked up at this.

“The rogue wouldn’t happen to be down in Northern California, would it?” I asked.

Both of their heads turned in my direction.

“The first.” Atlas placed her elbows on the couch and leaned forward. “Then up here. Then in Vancouver. Then all the way in Great Falls. In a matter of days, hundreds were killed. There’s no way it’s just one. Let me guess, your hunters have been notified?”

I sucked my teeth, unsure just how much I wanted to tell them. Aurelia was staring at me with an unreadable expression.

“The police haven’t been able to keep it under control,” I managed to say after a few moments of silence.

“What restrictions?” she asked, turning her attention back to Atlas.

“No more new clan members. They’re watching us like hawks.”

“I won’t be a new clan member. I would just be?—”

“They already killed ten of my people for going against it,” she stated. For a second, it looked like there was real remorse on her face. “I really want to, but I can’t. Not until this dies down, and when that happens?—”

“It’ll be too late,” Aurelia whispered.

“Anything else,” Atlas said, her eyebrows pulling together. For a moment, it looked like she truly cared about the princess. “Money. Safe passage. But you cannot stay with us. Not when we’re already being attacked. I’m sorry, my love.”

Aurelia gave her a forced smile before standing up.

“I appreciate the offer,” she said. “Maybe one day I’ll be able to take you up on it.”

She cast me a glance and motioned for me to follow her out.That’s it? She’s just going to leave?

Panic started to rise in me.Was this all that she had planned? And since it didn’t work, now what?

I didn’t want to think of what this meant for the princess.

Atlas was up and following me as soon as I moved.

She was close. Close enough to alarm me…until her hand brushed across mine.

I shot her a look, but she motioned for me to remain quiet by putting a finger to her lips. I looked down at my hand to see a pitch-black medallion with a carving on it. Something that looked like a family crest.

I had seen it before, when my witch contact, Levana, was discussing magical relics with me. It was cool to the touch and smelled nothing like magic. If I hadn’t known what it was, I might never have guessed a witch made it.

It was a communicator. Quickly, I stuffed it in my pocket and, without casting another glance at her, followed the princess out of the room.

“Think about my offer,” she called after me. “I’ll be here whenever you need me.”

Aurelia let out a huff, not at all slowing her pace in front of me.

“That would do me no good,” she muttered.

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