Page 107 of Magic and Muffins

They appeared in front of me a second later, each of them placing a hand over one of mine.

“Are you okay?” Shepard asked.

“You need to leave before it’s too late.”

“We’re not leaving you, Everly,” Cross said. “Ever.”

“Please. I’m safe in here, but you’re not if you stay. You know this is a trick.”

Shepard’s eyes flashed gold as he shook his head. “Trick or not, we’re not leaving without you."

“Look,” I said, pointing at the phone.

Cross and Shepard glanced at Vivian’s malicious face on the screen.

“How does it feel to see your lover and know you’ll never get her back? To hear her send you away to save you, knowing she’s willing to sacrifice herself in your place. It hurts, doesn’t it? Makes you want to kill someone, right?” Vivian taunted.

“Get her out of there, now,” Shepard growled.

Vivian grinned. “You want to kill me. I can feel it, and it’s so delicious.”

“What do you want, Vivian?” Cross asked. “You know we’ll give it to you. So hurry and speak your demands.”

Vivian laughed again. “So much fun. I wish Master was here to enjoy this with me.” He grew scarily serious. “But I only have his memory to carry with me through eternity. Are you prepared to do the same with Everly?”

“I’m ready to hunt,” Shepard said, sniffing the air. “Your scent is still fresh. I know you’re close by.”

“My scent is fresh all over this mountain. But by all means, waste time trying to find me instead of trying to save Everly. The humans sent in by Orphia over the last ten years never came out again, even though they kept their portal runes. They have the means to leave, but they don’t. I wonder what’s in there that’s killing them.”

Shepard’s eyes widened on me.

“Don’t listen to him. There’s nothing scary in here,” I said.

His fingers moved over mine and the portal.

“Since I’m feeling generous,” Vivian said, “I’ll give you a hint on how to save her.”

Shepard growled.

“You’re cute when you’re impatient, so I’ll give you the answer: Open the portal. Everly already has your ring, wolf boy. Get Cross to toss his in as well.”

“What about the others?” Shepard asked.

“That’s the best part. I have a way to arrange for their delivery. All you need to do is play along.”

“Don’t,” I begged. “The relic Orphia’s looking for is inside the portal, and Orphia knows it. She’ll get what she wants once it’s open. You can’t let that happen.”

Shepard’s gaze shifted over my face, taking in all the details. Any resistance he might have had softened in the process.

“We’re not leaving you in there either,” Shepard said.

“Why not? In here, I can’t be kidnapped or hurt. In here, I’m safe forever.”

“What use is saving a world without you in it?” Shepard asked.

Cross, who’d been watching me just as intently, looked away, his expression pained.

Vivian smiled wickedly. “Tough choice, am I right? Forsake your mate or unleash the relic and forsake yourselves and the rest of the world.”

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