Total pages in book: 194
Estimated words: 187021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 187021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
Gen preened under Niamh’s praise.
Niamh nudged Kierse with a laugh. “Stop looking so shocked. They’re just sleeping. We also don’t have unlimited resources. We don’t want to have to do that with everyone.”
“Well, at least I know you can handle yourself,” Kierse said once they’d moved the guards out of the way and continued on at a faster clip. “If you’re learning death magic.”
“We don’t wield that,” Niamh said automatically. “Only to ease suffering.”
Kierse had doubts. If someone could use the magic, then they would. Of that she was certain.
It was only a few more minutes before Niamh stopped in front of Ethan’s room. Kierse focused her mind on the hook in her chest. Lorcan had moved, but he wasn’t heading their direction just yet. They had a few minutes before her part began.
Gen knocked twice on the door. Her hand still hovered in the air when it was wrenched open.
Time froze as the three friends looked between each other. Ethan, who had always been gangly, standing there all beefed out, wearing a green T-shirt a size too small to make him look even bigger and fitted running shorts. Gen with a hand toward him, almost as if she couldn’t believe he was real. And Kierse, trying to fight back the hurt of their last interaction, hoping Gen could heal it like she always did.
“Gen!” Ethan gasped, throwing his arms around her. “What are you doing here?”
Gen buried her face into his chest and squeezed. “We came to see you.”
“We should get inside,” Niamh warned.
“There’s not a lot of time,” Kierse added. She put her hand on her heart again. It was like she could feel that soulmate bond tugging closer.
“It’s not much,” Ethan said, self-conscious of his space as they barreled inside.
In fact, it made the attic look like luxury. There was a narrow twin bed against one wall. A utilitarian desk next to that with a wooden chair. Papers were neatly piled on the desk, and an ink pen rested on top. A chest sat at the end of the bed with drawers for his provided clothing. There were no familiar touches. No pictures. No books. And worst of all for Ethan, no plants.
“Where are your plants?” Kierse asked on instinct.
“There’s a greenhouse,” he said quickly. “It’s part of classes.”
Kierse eyed him skeptically. “You’re okay only seeing them during classes.”
Ethan tensed at the words. “Are you second-guessing the curriculum or are you just here to argue with me again?”
“Stop,” Gen said.
Kierse’s back went up immediately at his words. She could see Ethan was ready to bite again if he felt his place as a Druid was threatened. And that wasn’t why they were here.
“I’m not here to fight. I never want to fight with you,” she said softly.
“We’re here because tonight is Nate and Maura’s engagement party,” Gen told him.
Ethan’s jaw dropped. “They’re engaged?”
“Yes. The wedding is in a few weeks,” Gen said. “After your boot camp thing is finished. We thought you’d want to come to the party tonight.”
“I do,” he said automatically. Then he wavered. “But…”
“What’s the worst they can do to you?” Kierse pushed.
Ethan’s eyes lifted to Niamh’s. “Well? Would they kick me out?”
“Maybe,” she conceded. “But you’re a strong talent. And you’re kind of essential in several ways.”
“The triskel magic,” Ethan conceded, looking between them. “Which we should be training.”
Kierse wrinkled her nose. “Yeah.”
“But also because you’re important,” Niamh said, pointing at Kierse, “to her.”
“What does she have to do with it?” Ethan asked, still sullen.
Kierse sighed. “I’m Lorcan’s ‘soulmate.’” She mimed the quotes around the word.
Ethan’s stunned expression was almost satisfying. His religious-like fervor for Lorcan, however, far from pleased Kierse. Lorcan was charismatic and beguiling in many ways. She wasn’t sure how to keep Ethan from falling any farther under his spell.
“You can get out for a night,” Niamh promised.
“Come with us,” Gen said, grabbing his hand. “Just for tonight. We’ll have you back in the morning.”
“Like Cinderella,” he mused.
Kierse could already see him bending. He’d always been persuadable. It was both an advantage and a flaw. Much like Kierse’s own cynicism.
“Please,” Gen said softly.
“Fuck,” Kierse said, eyeing the door. “He’s on the move. I need to go.”
“Go?” Ethan asked.
“Please come with us,” Kierse said as she headed toward the door. “I’m sorry about what happened last time, but I miss you. We both miss you. We want you there.”
“Plus, Corey is going to be in attendance,” Gen dropped casually.
Ethan’s eyes widened further. “Really?”
“Yes,” Kierse confirmed. “I’ll see you on the other side. I hope, at least. Because I’m about to brave Lorcan to let you sneak out.”
Then she was through the door, crossing her fingers and toes that Ethan would bend and join them for a night. Maybe then the fissure that had appeared between them wouldn’t turn into a chasm.
Kierse rounded the corner, jogging to get out of the building. It had been Gen’s idea to use Lorcan’s connection to her against him. After she’d heard Graves mention it, she’d thought maybe Kierse could be bait, luring him on a wild goose chase away from Ethan so that they could sneak him away.