Page 98 of Captivating Magic

Lo nodded.

“She’s a Traveler, too?”

“According to Quentin, yes. The night my spirit returned from the past, Castor told me father and daughter had changed a timeline. Apparently, Frankie—that’s what Quentin and Holly call her—used an object entrusted to her by Athena to save her dad.”

“A mysterious glowing globe.” Ebba snorted and returned to putting away groceries. “Those things keep popping up.”

“It would seem so.” Laszlo hugged her from behind and dropped a kiss on her exposed neck. “Did you get my cereal?”

“As if I’d forget. You eat that shit morning, noon, and night. And before you asked, I got the family-sized box.”

He laughed and turned her to face him. “Have I told you how much I love living with you?”

“Yes, and stop trying to change the subject. I want to know what led you to take Ky up the mountain.”

“Quentin can’t touch the globe. For some mystical reason, it only works for Frankie. But like her, he can peer into it. He saw Castor and Wilder head into a portal, and it appeared to be located at the base of the mountain.”

“Ohmygod, Lo! That’s huge!” She frowned as she watched him. “Isn’t it?”

“It would be if we could find it. But we couldn’t. Not even a signature, which is fucking weird. Damian should’ve been able to sense that, at least.” Feeling defeated, he grabbed the box of cereal from the bag and poured a bowl. “I’m worried, Sweet.If Castor and Wilder were able, they’d be back by now. Both Damian and Al agree.”

Ebba handed him the milk jug. “Don’t lose faith. Castor seems self-serving, but he’s street smart and fast when it comes to thinking on his feet.”

He glanced up sharply. “That’s exactly what Damian said.”

“Yeah, I’m just repeating what Kyrella relayed to me.”

“Wait! When did she say that?”

“When I left for the grocery store. She told me all about your trip.” Ebba bit his earlobe. “Jerk.”

Laszlo drew her onto his lap. “I’m sorry. I should’ve said something before now.”

“I understand why you didn’t.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she buried her face against his throat. “I’m sorry about Wilder, Lo.”

“Yeah. I keep praying to the Goddess that he’s with Abbie.” He swallowed hard. “I don’t know what I’d do if that happened to you, Ebba.”

She drew back and smiled tenderly. “You’d do whatever it takes. You did, if you recall.”

Leaning in, he kissed her, and her eager response filled his heart with joy. Following on the heels of his happiness were sadness and guilt. Did he deserve to feel this way when his brother was suffering?

Ebba gripped his face between her hands. “Tomorrow, we’ll try again, okay? We’ll search every day until we find them and bring them home. Abbie included.”

“I don’t deserve you,” he whispered roughly.

“Meh. Maybe not, but you’re stuck with me.”

She surprised a laugh out of him.

“No, Sweet. I meant that you’re too good for me. Not the other way around.”

“I knew what you meant. Either way, you’re stuck with me.”

He nipped her lip. “And I’m a happier man for it.”

“You always know the perfect thing to say.”

TWO MONTHS EARLIER

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