Page 31 of Curses & Keys
So was I. “When did you cross over?” I ask him, thinking of all the things we have in common.
“Three thousand years ago,” he replies softly. “I was one of the first here. Not by choice, either. We didn’t know the portals existed back then. One day, I was walking in Langit, the Elven world, enjoying the view of my land, then suddenly, I was here. I tried to step back through, but it was a one-way ticket. No matter what I did, I couldn’t return.”
There’s a depth of sadness in his eyes that I’ve seen many times over the years. Crippling guilt seizes me. This is why I never tell anyone the truth.
“Did you leave someone…special behind?” I ask, breath held.
His voice lowers. “My family, but thankfully, not a mate.”
I lay my hand on his. “I’m so sorry.” More than he’ll ever know.
His thumb rubs across the top of my hand. “Thank you.”
Charlie’s voice comes on the speaker. “We’re landing in fifteen minutes. Seatbelts on. I don’t want to be responsible for injuring the council’s most illustrious security team.”
I have to fight the urge to smile at Charlie’s snarky comment. He’s never been one to pull punches. Jamison and his team bristle at the remark, but they buckle up even when they don’t need to do so.
Tuning out their discussion about where we’re staying tonight, I slip my phone out and send a quick text. I need to get the small key Letz handed to me right before he died, but I sure as hell don’t want to take them to the farmhouse. Unfortunately, my only other option is Maverick, who hates to lend his car to anyone. This is going to cost me.
After we land, I turn off my phone, murmur something about the restroom, and head to the back of the hangar. Gatlin’s suspicious gaze follows, but I ignore him. Making excuses will only make him more wary.
As Maverick walks past me, he slips a key into my hand. “When you’re done, just tell it to go home.” Glee lights up his face at the chance to distract Jamison and his team. Trouble stirs his demon blood.
I walk out the back and stop dead in my tracks. Maverick didn’t give me his car. He gave me Charlie’s Lightning LS-218 electric motorcycle. The fastest on the market. What was he thinking? It might be quieter than a gas-powered engine, but it still roars.
Shit!
I look around, but there’s no other vehicle out here. It’s this one or I try to sneak away later. Cursing the devilish demon, I swing a leather leg over the bike and grab the helmet. A quick prayer and I turn the key. Not a peep. I lay my hand on the engine. Small vibrations assure me it’s on. Charlie must have used magic to kill the noise.
With a grin, I lean down, release the brake, and the damn thing shoots off like a rocket. Unlike a gas motorcycle, there is no gradual increase in speed. Within two seconds, I’m at 60 mph. Ten seconds, I’m at 200. This is fantastic. I know what I’m buying myself for my birthday this year.
18
JAMISON
Iknow she’s gone the moment she crosses the protective shield I set up around the hangar. Designed to keep our enemies at bay, my magic does nothing to stop her from leaving. Furious she put herself at risk again, I flick a glance at Mathias, who immediately moves to follow her.
He’s stopped before he can get ten feet.
“She had something to take care of,” Maverick informs us with a smile on his smug face. I look from his glowing red eyes to the faint black vapor surrounding us.
Blood boiling, my magic responds by swelling and pressing against his defenses. Sweat beads on his face. I flash a grim smile. He didn’t expect this kind of power from me, but he should have. After all, mages pass their magic to their heirs, and the de Veres have been wielding it for centuries.
Charlie comes running out of the plane, eyes darting wildly from side to side, his own magic sparking. He takes a defensive stance next to Maverick, who responds with a wink.
“It’s fine. They’re upset because Phaedra left,” he explains in an amused voice.
Gritting my teeth, I spit out. “I’m not upset. I’m bloody pissed. Humans attacked her at home earlier tonight. Now, because of you, she’s in danger again. Whether you like it or not, we’re leaving. Remove the barrier.”
Hawthorne and Gatlin move in closer.
Maverick’s brows crash together. “She failed to mention that bit of juicy news. Still, Phaedra’s been around a hell of a long time. She’ll be fine. And if she needs any assistance, Charlie’s bike is practically a weapon with all the spells he’s put on it.”
Curses spew from Charlie’s mouth, and Maverick winces as he turns to face him. “I was going to tell you. I swear.”
Charlie glares at him, then stalks off. “Clearly, you’ve got this under control.”
Maverick sighs and looks at the clock. “She should be at her destination by now.” The barely visible wall around us dissipates.
