Page 98 of The Book Reader
“If you laugh, I’m going to take it all off,” I warn.
He grins devilishly. “I’m not laughing.” He kisses me again before turning to the guards. “Trelor killed the two daemons that were guarding Westery, so I am hoping no more have been sent in their place. Once we get there, we scout, and then I will claim it.”
I frown. “How do you claim it?”
He turns to face me. “With blood, Ari, our blood.”
My face pales. “What?”
“The land is already yours, my Rose. We just need to remind the wards of that. I’m not sure how long we can hold it for, but my hope is we’ll find the book before Macy comes for us.”
I nod slowly. The edge of this jacket scrapes my skin like sandpaper against the wall, making me growl out in frustration. I rip the coat open, shrug it off, and throw it on the ground.
“Much better.” I straighten my arms and roll my shoulders. Gaelan opens his mouth to speak, but I lift my hand to stop him. “Don’t even. You will never see me naked again if you say anything.”
Leah bursts out laughing, making me smile. She walks over to me and hands me a dagger. “Much better, my lady, I will be by your side, don’t worry.”
I take the dagger, smile at Gaelan, who now looks pissed. Rex comes over to me, stands by my side, and growls low at Gaelan. I pat his head, “Good boy.”
“Fine. But you do not leave my or Leah’s side, understand?”
Nodding, I walk over to him and salute. “Understand, sir.”
Gaelan growls, leaning down to whisper in my ear. “Careful, my Rose, you are not ready for that tease just yet.” With a kiss to my cheek, he shimmers us to Westery.
As soon asmy feet hit the sand, my shoes sink into the tiny grains. The familiar heat hits my face, making it hard for me to breathe. I take a step back from Gaelan; I almost turn and run as the memories of the two daemons and what they did to me come rushing back, nearly knocking me over. I take a deep breath to squash the panic. I refuse to let them control any of my thoughts. I can be strong. Ihaveto be strong.
Feel Gaelan’s hand on my arm; I look up at him.
“This is why I didn’t want you to come, I can take you back—” he assures me. But going back is not what I want.
I shake my head. “No, I’m fine.”
I say that again in my head, even if deep down I don’t feel it. Closing my eyes and letting the scent of lemon and earth soothe me. The tightness in my chest starts to ease, and the panic in my stomach begins to dissolve. Turning, I slowly peel my eyes open and walk toward the row of houses again. Leah is next to me with Rex on the other side. Gaelan is behind me, and the rest of the guards fan out. I see them moving into the empty houses, looking for other daemons. Part of me hopes they find someone to kill. The other not. Because that means Macy knows someone was here, it also means she could come back at any time.
Leah turns to Gaelan and nods toward the cage that was left. The cage that I was in. Gaelan nods, and Leah goes over, placing her hand in it; it dissolves into dust. I haven't seen her use herpowers yet. I also don’t spend a great deal of time with her to know what she can do. From the looks of it, she has a deadly touch. Gaelan takes my hand and leads me forward.
“What are we looking for?” I ask him
“Any sign someone has been back?”
I nod.
“Come closer, little one.”
“Almost.”
“We are bound but not forever.”
“So strong.”
“Come.”
“Come.”
The voices in my head reverberate around my skull, stronger than before. With these cuffs on, I didn’t think I would hear them like this.
“Gaelan?”
