Page 43 of Guardian of Shadows

“No. He would have killed you had you not complied. At least this way we have a chance. Right?”

“Yes. My parents are outside. That fucker better not have hurt them.”

“Tony? Elle? Where the fuck are they?” That sounded like Tessa.

“They’re here somewhere, Red. Let’s keep looking,” Gregor said.

It took several minutes before they came downstairs. “Tony! What are you... That motherfucker! I’m gonna gut him, Stone.” Tessa knelt beside her son, who could only blink at her. “What did he do to you?”

“Elle?” Gregor came to Elle and squatted beside her. “Are you okay? Stupid question. You’re not. Can you understand me?” Elle blinked her eyes a few times. “Good. That’s good. Okay, we need to get you both out of here before that bastard returns.”

Tessa growled deep from her chest. “He’s not coming back. Why would he? He has the money and Anthony’s Jeep.”

“We need to call Carleigh. She can track the Jeep. You two hang on. I’m going to run and get our car, and then we’ll take you home. Maybe Lilly can unfreeze you.” Gregor touched Elle’s arm, then stood and rushed upstairs.

Tessa tugged Tony into a sitting position, running a hand through his hair. “I thought he was you. He, looking like you, came out of the house and got into the Jeep. By the time we remembered he could glamour himself, he was gone. Motherfucker.” Tessa blew out a breath. “I’m really glad you’re both alive. It may take some time, but somebody will figure out how to undo whatever it is he did.”

Tony groaned. “Fuck, that hurt.”

“Anthony? Oh, thank the gods. Can you move?” Tessa held her hands out like she was going to catch him.

“Give me a second. The feeling’s coming back. Elle, Sweetheart? Anything?”

“No. Why can you move, but I can’t?”

“Probably because of my skin.”

“What’s wrong with your skin?” Tessa asked.

“Oh, Elle asked why I could move, and she couldn’t.”

“You’re speaking through the bond? That’s wonderful. Now I don’t have to ask her to blink once for yes and twice for no.”

“You’re ridiculous,” he chided.

Tessa grinned. “We established that many years ago.”

By the time his dad returned, Tony was standing and shaking out his limbs. Gregor offered to carry Elle, and Tony asked her permission. “I’d feel more comfortable if Dad carried you, Sweetheart. Just until I get all the feeling back in my feet. They’re still tingling.”

“I’m okay with that.”

“She agreed.”

Gregor lifted Elle into his arms, and the four of them headed upstairs. When they got to the kitchen, Tessa asked, “Is there anything here you want to take with you?”

“Only my bow. Tell her it’s in the closet of the bedroom, last door on the right.” Elle didn’t care about her clothes, since they were all secondhand, but she didn’t want to leave her weapon behind, even if it wasn’t as good as the one she left behind in Summerland. Elle wasn’t going on a huge shopping spree, but since she was mated to someone who had plenty of money, she would definitely be getting new clothes and maybe some arrows once they got out of their current predicament. In her soul, she knew they would get out of it. The goddess might not be watching out for Elle, but Tony’s gods were on their side. Otherwise, the two of them would still be in the basement, forgotten.

Speaking of money... “There’s about twenty thousand buried in the woods.”

“Let’s leave it for whoever stumbles upon this place,” Tony said.

Tessa returned carrying Elle’s weapon. “Is there anything here that can be used to identify you?”

“Tell her no. Everything was in Mr. Johnson’s name.”

Tony relayed the message, and the four of them went outside. Elle was glad to leave the farmhouse. It held no good memories for her. Not a single one. Gregor placed Elle in the backseat of an SUV, and Tony climbed in beside her, reaching across and buckling her in. Tessa placed her bow in the back before climbing into the passenger seat.

Gregor started the engine, tapped the GPS screen, adding Tony’s address, then got underway. “I called Carleigh on my way back here. She’s already tracking the Jeep. I have no doubt Grevolus will dump it somewhere and buy another car since he’s currently a millionaire.”

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