Page 48 of Chess

“Something tells me different colored hair or a new style wouldn’t make much difference,” he admitted, slowly twirling a piece of his hair around his finger. Too many vampires knew him. Loved him, loathed him. No matter their feelings, turning him in now was likely to get them a huge bounty. Especially since Ever would be included in it. “I was thinking about how we should get to the Ruby Heart Palace.”

Ever tilted her head thoughtfully. “Go on.”

“Let’s go back to the mortal realm and use the portal into the palace basement. No one will see us unless they’re skulking around the park in London. And even if they are, the only ones allowed to use the portal into the palace are Rav, my—” He caught himself before he could include his mother. “And myself.”

The lower tunnels were always clear of guards because Rav didn’t want anyone in his business, but past that point was where they lingered, prepared to throw anyone in the dungeon who ventured down. Any intruder would have their heart ripped out by his mother or become Rav’s next experiment, which was enough deterrent to keep the castle safe.

“Great minds think alike.” Ever trailed the tip of her finger across his bottom lip, and bloody hell, he wanted to suck on that too.

“Are you trying to take credit for my plan?” he asked with a chuckle.

“Technically it was my plan first—you just didn’t know it yet.” She laughed. “Now, come on before the mortal night fades.”

Chess swiped his gun off the bed and strapped it to his boot, then followed her down the hallway. The others were waiting for them in the banquet room just off the main hall. Mouse was reading a Shakespeare play quietly to Des at the head of the table while Ferris and Noah played a game of cards. Maddie had acquired hat making material and the remainder of the table was strewn in ribbons and lace.

“Ever!” the Hatter chirped and held up a swath of sapphire satin. “What do you think of this shade of blue?”

“It’s lovely.”

Maddie nodded thoughtfully. “Mouse requested a hat that matched Des. I wasn’t quite sure if this was better than the cobalt silk.”

“The sapphire.” Ever smiled at her friend, but it slowly faded from her face. Clearing her throat, she announced, “Chess and I are leaving.”

“Only to kill her brother,” he explained when the room remained silent.

Ever arched a brow at him, then looked to her friends once more. “I won’t let Ivory be taken over again.”

“We won’t either. This is our home too,” Maddie started. “But what about you, what if something happens toyou?”

“We won’t think about that now, will we?” Ever smoothed the front of her shirt and straightened.

“Do you need anything before you go?”

“Some blood, perhaps?” Mouse asked without looking up from the play.

“No, thank you.” Ever cocked her head and smiled at Maddie. “Perhaps a hat for when I return.”

“Ah, that I can do,” Maddie sang.

Ever moved around the table to hug Maddie, then Ferris and Mouse. Noah, she simply ruffled his hair. “Stay safe.”

Chess backed away from the room while they each offered Ever well on the journey and exchanged how much they cared. The emotions swirling in the air made his skin crawl. He never used to care if he had friends like that … or he hadn’tthoughthe’d cared. Maybe he’d convinced himself he didn’t need it, but seeing it now, he had to admit he wanted the same. Someone to miss him, to worry about him. Without all the verbalizing, of course—he didn’t want to hear it, butfeelit. Though, he supposed, he would need to start behaving slightly less like an arse for that to happen. He wrinkled his nose at the thought.Not sure it’s worth it.

“I’m about to show you another secret portal, Princeling.” Ever smiled, joining him in the hallway. “Tell anyone of it and you may lose a precious body part.”

Chess perked up. “Go on.”

Ever grabbed his hand and led him through the heavy front doors, into the dark, starless night. They paused on top of a large, silver stone medallion in the middle of the pathway. “Trace your finger over the crack in the wall.”

Chess studied the castle entrance and found a fissure in the doorway. At first glance, it looked like a vein in the marble but now that he was paying attention, he could see it was more. He tilted his head and did as she instructed. The moment his finger reached the end, the floor shook. A rumbling filled the air just before the stone gave out beneath them. He sucked in a breath of musty air as they fell straight down into a portal, swallowed up by the silver, mirror-like surface, and were spat out in the middle of a cemetery.

The old, worn headstones were packed tightly together, some tilting, others cracked. Fog caressed the ground and an owl hooted overhead. Ever climbed to her feet and adjusted her wig. The corners of her lips curled in amusement as she cast a glance at Chess, who was still on the ground.

“You’re not going to sit there all day, are you?”

Chess pried his boot from between two stones and stood, taking her chin between his thumb and finger. “You enjoyed that, didn’t you?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” She grinned.

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