“They may not be there with you,” Colin finishes for me.
“Exactly. And would prefer them not to be,” I say with a sigh. “And…not only that, I have no idea where to find her. She could be—“
“Uh, Sophe.” He frowns as a gigantic bolt of lightning strikes above us. “She may not be as hard to find as you think.”
“Why? Is she riding in on this incoming thunderstorm or something?” I duck, shielding my head with my arms as if that would save me from a lightning strike.
“No. This isn’t your typical, run-of-the-mill thunderstorm,” he murmurs, his eyes scanning the clouds as if he’s reading words on a page. “This is a distress signal. The lightning is…” His eyes narrow. “There’s a message there. Druid stuff.” He turns to me. “We have to go.”
Atticus’s bungalow seems like it’s a hundred miles away with this storm looming over us.
“Don’t suppose you’ve somehow learned to teleport, have you?” I ask.
“What? Finding the Black Obsidian Stone wasn’t enough?” he jokes. “Besides, that ball’s in your court now. You’re the Fae Queen.”
I don’t have the faintest idea how to teleport, and I won’t risk it for such a short distance. With my luck, we’ll end up on the moon.
“Let's get back,” I say as a cold, heavy rain pelts against us. “How are your joints? Can you run?”
Colin straightens, grimacing with pain. A flicker of a smile pulls at his lips. “Are you implying that I’m old or something?”
“Yes. Now, let’s go.” I take his hand, and together we run. My legs are strong as they carry me across the wet sand, but Colin is a different story. I do my best to slow down and accommodate him, but he’s huffing and puffing so much I fear he will drop dead.
“Okay, Colin.” I stop to give him a chance to rest for a second. “This is going to sound weird, and this is probably the only time you’ll ever get an offer as good as this one, but hop on. You’re getting a piggyback ride the rest of the way.”
Colin looks offended by my generous offer. “I realize you’re just trying to help, Sophe, but I can manage.”
“No…” I watch as he tries to slow his breathing by taking huge, wheezing gulps of air. “No, I don’t think you can.” He scowls at me in response. “This is no time to be macho.”
“I told you—“
“No, Colin,” I say. “I know you are strong. I know how powerful you are…that you are your father's son and all that. But you’re falling apart here.” He leans forward, resting his hands on his knees as he continues to catch his breath. “You have been there for me more times than I can count. Just…let me return the favor.”
“Fine,” he growls.
“We’ll look back on this someday and laugh, you know.” I give him a reassuring glance as I turn my back to him, bending down he can climb onto my back.
“This is so humiliating. I can’t believe I’m doing this,” he grumbles. “If my father sees me—“
“He’ll thank me for suggesting it.”
Colin settles in on my back, wrapping his skinny legs around my waist. He’s heavier than I thought. I take a second to regain my equilibrium, laughing a little at how silly this must appear before I take off in a full sprint. Atticus and Margaret are waiting for us when we arrive, and just to prove that he is still as manly as ever, Colin tumbles off of my back. With bones cracking as he straightens, he brushes past me and charges into the room.
“I saw the distress signal,” he blurts.
“Yes,” Atticus says, frowning. “As did I.”
“Well? What is it?” I ask, throwing my arms up in frustration. “Or is it some big druid secret?”
Colin and Atticus exchange a worried glance. “It’s war, Sophia,” Atticus says. “Summer and her army have invaded Nevermoor. They are searching for you.”
Nevermoor is just is dark and dreary as it was the night I left to meet Alexander. It’s still a sight for sore eyes, though, even if it is under attack. Who knew Horace would try to kill me while Atticus Drake came to my rescue? Who knew I would suddenly go all-Fae on everyone and team up with him in order to take down the real bad guy, or…girl? Colin’s lucky he’s half-dead—otherwise, I might not have agreed to this. I may see Atticus Drake in a different light now, but I’m still not sure I can trust him.
With the help of my new Fae magic and a few tips from Margaret the Mage, I’d been able to teleport us back to Nevermoor. She even taught me how to throw in a clever, last-minute cloaking spell for an added layer of protection. Until I can explain the situation, it’s best that we sneak into the Academy.
“Sophia, promise me something, will you? Promise me that when all of this is over, you’ll help this town fortify itself?” Atticus says, sighing as he dodges a bright purple ball of magic that sails through the air.
“We were plenty fortified,” I snap, ducking as another purple ball of magic flies over my head. “We used to exist in our own little realm, just like you. I have no idea how Summer got in.”
“I can take a guess,” Colin says, panting as he struggles to keep up. “Horace.”
“I swear when I get my hands on that traitor, I will kill him myself,” I snarl under my breath.
The town is a full-blown battleground that grows more intense as we wind through the cute, cobbled streets. We pass the charming shops along with Edgar’s abandoned post in the middle of town until we finally reach the Academy itself.
"This way," I say, waving Colin and Atticus toward the looming, impenetrable Nevermoor Academy. The Seelie army fights alongside druids, witches, warlocks, and even vampires. And so far, this unlikely army of supernaturals is doing a pretty good job of holding back the Unseelie army and keeping Nevermoor impenetrable. As we race by, I try not to gawk at the casualties that lie in pools of blood. They stare up at the sky through lifeless eyes. My stomach roils at the bitter, metallic tang of blood that hangs heavy in the air.
“So…much blood.” My face blanches as I race past a creature that is so terribly dismembered, I can’t even tell who or what it once was.
“Keep going,” Atticus says. “Eyes forward, Sophia. You can do this.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re only the biggest murderer the world has ever known, Atticus Drake,” I mutter.
I do as he says, though, and keep my eyes trained forward. At least for now, I need to do my best to ignore the carnage and focus on sneaking inside the Academy. With Atticus in tow, that may prove difficult.
“There’s a secret entrance this way.” I motion for Colin and Atticus to follow.
Please don’t let it be warded. Please don’t let it be warded. We’re screwed if it’s warded.
To any ordinary passerby, this secret entrance looks like nothing more than a simple stone wall. But to those of us in the know, it’s an emergency entrance or exit. And this is one time where it’s definitely an emergency.
I utter a quick silent prayer to whoever may listen, I grit my teeth and place my hands over the stone. Nothing happens at first. Come on. Please. Let me in. A small iron door handle soon materializes beneath my hand. With a sigh of relief, I push the door open, and the three of us slip inside, unnoticed.
Fear tightens my throat as we creep through the eerily silent halls of the Academy. How will my friends react when they see me? Will they hate me for disappearing? Will they believe me when I explain what happened? How will Alexander react? I jilted him. Not only that, I’ve brought Atticus Freakin-Drake, of all people, back with me.
My intuition tells me my friends are shut away upstairs somewhere in a heavily warded war room. Since this particular room was left out of my initial tour, all I can do is follow the sounds of their voices in my head. They grow louder and louder until the room materializes right in front of us.
I turn to Atticus and Colin. “Okay. We’re here. Colin, you and I will uncloak, so to speak. Then, we’ll go inside and assess the situation.”
“What about me?” Atticus looks hurt.
“You will remain cloaked until I explain to Alexander why I’ve brought you back with me. I will tell you when to uncloak.” I jab a finger into his chest. “And don’t even think about running away to cause mischief because I can see you.” I narrow my eyes at him. “You may be cloaked, but I can still—“
A cry of anguish from inside the war room sends chills racing down my spine. Pain tears through my abdomen. I double over, clutching my stomach and biting back a cry of my own. Atticus catches my arm before I can fall.
“It’s Alexander,” I whisper. “He’s…injured. I can feel it, too.” I straighten, clenching my teeth against the pain. “We have to go in, Colin.”
Colin and I whisper the incantation Margaret gave us to remove the cloaking spell. I shoot Atticus a warning glance as a reminder to not attempt any funny business. He holds up his hands and takes a step back as I power through the wards and open the door.
“I’m here,” I say, not knowing how else to announce my presence. I charge into the room with Colin and Invisible Atticus by my side and stand there. I should have a huge superhero cape billowing behind me. Fae Queens don’t have time for timid entrances. And a cape would be a nice touch.
The room, which, despite being in a different wing of the Academy, is almost identical to the faculty lounge. Everyone falls silent and all eyes turn to Colin and me. Sarah bursts into tears as she rushes over and throws her arms around me.
“Sophia, my God,” she sobs. “We thought you were dead. You disappeared…I couldn’t even see you in my Third Eye, and then—“
“No,” Alexander roars, leaping from the table where Ruby had been dressing his stomach wound. Sarah jumps, releasing her hold on me. “You will not hug my Queen before me. Out of the way, please.”
He pushes past my friends, his sweaty hair flopping forward against his forehead. His face is all twisted up, like his very life depends on getting across the room to me.
An Oscar-worthy performance.
Atticus makes a noise of disgust beside me, and I elbow him in the ribs. He’s just as bad as Christoph.
“My love,” he whimpers, folding me into his arms as he showers my face with kisses.
Tears spring to my eyes as I melt into his arms and relish his kisses. I wasn’t sure I’d ever see him again. And I certainly wasn’t expecting this kind of welcome.
“My Queen,” Anne squeaks, bouncing over to me and falling into a clumsy curtsy before me. “We heard the news, and might I be the first to congratulate you—“
“Anne, get up,” I order. “There is no need for all of that.” She looks up at me, confused. “I’m serious,” I continue. “We can celebrate and curtsy and stuff once this is over, but for now—“
“Wait! Who’s here with you?” she asks, her eyes narrowing as she pulls herself back to her feet. “There’s someone else here. And he’s full of darkness and all kinds of nastiness. I can sense it.” She shudders. “Sophia, I think someone snuck inside with you.” Her voice rises. “I think we have an intruder.”
“I don’t think so,” I say, my voice rising to match hers. “It’s just me and Colin.”
Ruby, Sarah, and Myra eye me warily. No one ever believes me.
Anne and her stupid knack for recognizing disturbances in the surrounding air. Stupid air.
“Okay, fine,” I grumble. “It’s true. I have someone here with me. But before I reveal my…uh, mystery guest, you guys have to promise you won’t—“
Anne blurts out the incantation required to remove the cloaking spell. It’s apparently a common enchantment, shared by both witches and mages alike.
Crap. This is bad. This is so not going to go well.
“Hello everyone,” Atticus says with a bright smile as his cloak falls, revealing him in all his handsome, sophisticated glory.
“Atticus Drake…What in Danu’s name…” Alexander whispers, eyes wide as he clutches his heart and staggers backward like the silent film star he is. My witch friends surround me in their protective witch-bubble.
“Unnecessary. This is totally unnecessary,” I hiss, but they only ignore me.
Everyone’s focus turns to Alexander. His rigid, unmoving stance is lethal, his gaze predatory. And with a sudden roar of anger, he lunges at Atticus. “What the hell are you doing here, you son of a bitch?” he bellows.
Without thinking, I leap in between Atticus and Alexander, placing my hands on Alexander’s shoulders. I have to calm him down. Though in his current state, I’m not sure anything can calm him.
“No, Alexander,” I say. “Hold on…Just…I can explain. It’s not—“
“What has he done to you?” Alexander shouts. “Did he hurt you?” He examines my face before sweeping his gaze over my entire body. “I will kill him. I swear to you, Sophia. This will not go unpunished. Never again will this man hurt the woman I love.”
Atticus lets out a strangled cry from behind me. With a glance over my shoulder, I see his feet dangling a few inches off the floor. Alexander has him in some kind of levitating chokehold. Atticus claws at his throat, his face turning purple as he struggles to breathe.
“Okay, Alexander. Stop,” I order. “Release your hold, or whatever it is you’re doing to him.” Atticus makes a sputtering sound, and I realize Alexander won’t stop until he kills Atticus.
Time for the Obsidian Stone to make its debut.
I keep one hand still placed on Alexander’s shoulder, though I’m not sure it’s doing any good. I quickly slip the other inside the leather jacket Atticus had given me before our departure and unzip the inner pocket to retrieve the Stone. “Unhand him at once, or so help me, Alexander, you will…you will…rue the day, or something…” I use my best Fae-Queen-voice as I whip out the stone. I will use its magic to throat-punch Alexander if I have to. The red cloud churns and swirls at its core. Alexander backs down, his eyes wide as he scrambles backward.
Atticus hit the floor behind me with a thud, wheezing and gasping for air. Colin kneels to tend to him, and I find I must fight the urge to check on him myself.
“Well, isn’t this a pretty picture,” Alexander snarls, his face screwed up with disdain. “If I didn’t know better, Sophia, I’d say you actually care about this man.”
“Oh, for the love of…Alexander, stop. Seriously,” I snap. “This is not not what it looks like. And if you’d allow me a moment to explain, I could tell you what’s going on.” He starts to speak, but I hold out a hand, stopping him. To my surprise, Alexander drops his arms at his sides. He stares up at me through tired eyes. “I understand how this must look. I realize you…” I glance around the circle at my bewildered friends. “You all must have varying opinions right now. But I promise. Atticus is here to help." Alexander stiffens, balling his hands up at his sides. “Don’t even think about it,” I say, holding up the stone again. “You don't understand, Alexander. Atticus Drake saved my life. I-I…I was going to meet you that night, as I’d planned with Jo.” I scan the room. “Where is Jo anyway?”
“Here, honey. Hold on.” She materializes pouring a glass of champagne. Fitting. “I need a drink for this.”
“Can that not wait?” I snap.
“No. No, honey. After everything we’ve been through trying to find you? No, it can’t.” She raises her glass once she’s satisfied with her pour. “Okay, honey. Proceed.”
“Thank you,” I say with a slight bow of my head. “As I was saying…I was on my way to meet you that night as planned when Horace, your trusted advisor, came out of nowhere and tried to cut my throat. He tried to kill me, Alexander. And that wasn’t the first time either. Remember that vampire attack on my front porch? And those vampires in the diner that day? The ones that took Greg? Those were also your beloved Horace’s doing. He had an entire vampire coven at his beck and call.” I feel myself choking up. “He told me I wasn’t worthy enough for you and that you needed a true Fae princess. He said the only way you would get over me was if I was dead.” I say, tears streaming down my face. “If it hadn't been for Att
icus, Horace would've succeeded. I would be dead.”
Alexander’s face pales as he processes this new turn of events.
“It's true, Auberon,” Atticus says as he rises from the floor. “What Sophia says is true. My mage found her and brought her to my realm…where I’ve been hiding out since my escape. Sophia needed to heal in a place that was safe and nurturing.” Alexander arcs an eyebrow, his mouth tightening. “It wasn’t easy since she had almost been decapitated, but we…my mage and I…nursed her back to health.” He beams at me. “I was there to witness her transformation to Fae Queen.” He sighs. “It was a beautiful sight to behold, and I am honored to have experienced it firsthand.”
“I don’t believe you,” Alexander says, his eyes narrowing.
“Oh, puh-lease, Alexander. Must you always be so dramatic?” I ask.
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, I have it all right here. See for yourself.” Colin holds up his smartphone, of all things, and tosses it to Alexander. “That’s a type of telephone,” he explains as Alexander gives the phone a bewildered frown. “That little device is equal parts magic and technology.”
My jaw falls open. I gape at Colin who only winks at me, the corners of his mouth lifting into a subtle smile. Bless you, Colin.
“I’ll explain how it works later, Alexander, and I promise we’ll have a fabulous viewing party. But right now, we have an Unseelie Princess to obliterate.”
“The Black Obsidian Stone.” Alexander nods toward the stone I still clutch in my hand. “Where did you…”
“My father handled that, too,” Colin says. “Summer demanded that he destroy it so that no Fae Queen could ever access its power again.” He shrugs. “And, for all she knew, he had destroyed it. But I found it hidden in Berlin. It was exactly where my father said it was.” Colin gives his father a proud smile.
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