Page 79 of Drawn in Blood
She walked into the kitchen, searching the fruit bowl for a snack, when Theo barreled into the room, frantic and white as a sheet.
“Slow down,” she laughed, as she grabbed a green apple out of the bowl.
Theo grabbed her arm, signing frantically as his breathing quickened.
Ember followed his fingers, furrowing her brow, but she couldn’t keep up.“Slow down,”she signed.“Start again.”
A door slammed in the distance, boots thudding across the floor as the sound grew closer.
Theo’s eyes widened as he blanched, turning back to Ember, and grabbing her wrist. He signed again, slower this time.
“Run.”
Chapter 24
Back from the Dead
Ember spun around, her eyes meeting Collum’s, and she quickly put herself between Theo and the towering Warden. He made to move closer to her, and Ember instinctually threw the first hex she could think of at him. Her stomach flipped as he deflected it with ease, but she persisted. Annoyance flashed across his face as he winced, blood trickling down his cheek as the next spell grazed his skin.
“What on earth?” Aoife asked, as she walked into the room, coat on and suitcase in hand. “Ember, that is not how we greet our guests.”
“Guest?” Ember huffed, still standing firmly in front of Theo. “You know him?”
“I do.” Aoife nodded. “We are leaving Sigurvik, and Collum has come to escort us to our new home.”
“New home?” Ember asked, choking on the words. “Mum, what are you talking about?”
“She’ll explain later,” Collum hissed, grabbing Ember’s arms while she wasn’t looking. She bit her tongue as his dirt-covered nails dug into her skin, but she stood firmly in front of Theo.
“Gaelen has gone ahead of us to prepare your rooms,” Aoife continued, either oblivious to or ignoring completely the pain on Ember’s face. “All of your things are waiting for you there.”
“And Maia?” Ember asked. “Is Maia there already?”
Aoife shook her head as she adjusted her coat. “I’m afraid we can’t bring Maia, but Maize will be finding a lovely home for her,” Aoife replied, like she was talking about the weather or an old friend she hadn’t seen in years.
Ember suddenly felt lightheaded, swaying on her feet as Collum’s grip tightened. “I have to say goodbye to my friends,” Ember replied hoarsely. “I have to talk to Killian and Fen. I can’t leave yet.”
“There’s no time, I’m afraid,” Aoife placated, patting her daughter on the cheek. “We’re on a tight schedule and already running behind. I’ll have someone send word to Eira soon.” She kissed Ember on the top of the head as she smiled. “Everything will be fine, my love.”
“Time to go.” Collum grinned as he grabbed hold of Theo, and suddenly, she was spinning through mist and starlight. It was almost like traveling by Echopoint, but somehow more fluid, like she was slipping through water, unable to fully catch her breath. The air around her seemed to press into her from all sides, weighing her down like tar. She landed with a thud in the grass, slipping out of Collum’s grasp and landing on her back.
She shook her head as she pushed herself up on her hands. She was in a grassy plot, right in front of a large gate that led into the garden of a giant chateau. Ember felt her chest tighten as Collum hauled her off the ground, dragging her through the gate and toward the large double doors. The gate slammed behind them as they walked, and Ember couldn’t help but feel like she was being led to a special sort of prison. The air around her was cold and uninviting as they walked through the oak doors and into the foyer, like all of the magic had been sucked out of it.
“Let go of me,” she hissed, as she yanked her arm out of Collum’s sweaty hands. She moved in front of Theo again, creating a physical barrier between her brother and the man. Aoife had already walked through the foyer and into another room, and Ember grabbed Theo and made to follow her.
“You will stay here,” Collum grunted, as he stepped in front of her.
Ember felt her temper rise, the invisible string at her sternum vibrating as her breathing began to quicken. She instinctively threw a hex at him, trying again to make her way past him, but this time, he didn’t just block it.
He shot one back.
She gasped as it hit her in the face, throwing her back against a wall. Blood trickled down her cheek, a deep gash now running underneath her eye. Her bottom lip trembled as she sucked in a breath, willing tears not to fall as she stared at Collum.
“You will stayhere,”he hissed again.
Theo grabbed her hand and gave it a small, gentle squeeze, reminding her so much of Fen in that moment.
Together.
