Page 110 of Staff of Nightfall

Again.Adelaide recalled Nolan’s taunt.“Did he tell you those stripes were for you?”Her hands fisted.

“Please, Drez. I need to know you’re safe.”

“And I need you safe,” Dresden shot back. “We protect each other, remember?”

Adelaide sighed. “Regulus can’t die. I can defend myself from Kirven’s magic, and Nolan won’t kill me. You have to go.”

“I can help,” Dresden pleaded. “Reg, you know I can—”

“Drez...” Regulus rested his head against the tree. “Don’t make me order you.”

Dresden’s expression turned stony. “Please don’t do this.”

Adelaide looked helplessly between them and glanced toward Kirven and Nolan. They were still turned away from the tree, but it was only a matter of time.

“Sir Jakobs.” Regulus looked apologetic as he locked eyes with Dresden. “As your liege, I command you to take the staff and flee immediately, and don’t come back.” He hung his head. “As your brother, I’m begging you. Please go.”

Dresden worked his jaw. “Fine. I’ll find you when you return to the palace.” With one more glance at Kirven and Nolan, Dresden grabbed the staff and ran.

Good.She watched Dresden disappear among the trees, taking the Staff of Nightfall where Kirven couldn’t reach, then turned back to Regulus. “Can you grab the chains on your arms, so they won’t fall when I unlock them?”

In response, Regulus gripped the chains.How...maybe like closing a wound, but opposite?She held her hand over the shackle on his left wrist and closed her eyes, but couldn’t sense the lock. She detected Regulus and the blood pumping in his veins.No.She knit her brows together, concentrating. This wouldn’t work. She needed...Key.

Such an obvious answer. She conjured a rough key shape and inserted it into the lock. At last, she sensed the inside of the lock, and she morphed the key until it fit, then turned it. The shackle made a click that sounded terribly loud to her ears. She glanced toward Kirven and Nolan, but they still weren’t looking. She moved to his other side, closer to Kirven.Okay, focus. Form the key, shape it...The lock clicked and she smiled.

“I hoped you’d show up, mage.”

Chapter 40

The sound of Kirven’scalm voice slithered down Adelaide’s spine. She whirled around and stood, shielding Regulus. Kirven moved toward her, a self-assured smile on his face. Carrick followed, his sword drawn. The clink of metal indicated Regulus had released the chain on his arms.

“I’m glad you’re here, Adelaide.” Kirven nodded. “We can have a nice talk.”

“I’m not here to talk.” She conjured a sword and hoped she looked intimidating. Nolan eyed them both but didn’t attack. Probably waiting on an order from his master. “Where’s your staff, Kirven?”

Kirven frowned, then looked down. His head jerked back up. “What did you do with it?”

---