Page 69 of Staff of Nightfall

Regulus and Father looked at each other.

“I’m fine.” She swallowed a yawn.

“We can leave tomorrow morning,” Father said. “That still gives us enough time.”

“But—”

“Please, Adelaide,” Father pleaded. “Rest. For me.”

“So what if I’m a little tired? If it was one of you, you wouldn’t wait.”

“You’re exhausted.” Father pointed to himself and Regulus. “And we are, too. We’ve hardly slept. We could all use the rest.” He gave her another look of deep concern. She got the feeling that, somehow, he knew she’d been hurt far worse than a bruised cheek.

“All right.” With a huff, she laid back down. It didn’t take long for the warm sunlight to lull her to sleep.

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WHEN ADELAIDE OPENEDher eyes, dark pressed around her. Kirven stood over her, his face illuminated by a sickly green glow from the opal in the Staff of Nightfall. She screamed and went to blast him back, but her hands were bound behind her back.No. No, no...

She stood and ran, but every leaden step only covered a few inches. Something pulled against her neck and she fell backward. The collar. Oh, Etiros, he put the collar back on. Panic pressed against her lungs. She looked around, frantic, as Kirven moved closer, holding the rope tied to the collar in one hand and the Staff of Nightfall in the other.

“Where’s Regulus and my father?” Her voice sounded raspy and weak.

Kirven shook his head. “You cause so much trouble, you and your mercenary. You couldn’t just go with Carrick, could you? Couldn’t be a good little girl.” He pointed the staff to her right. Father was tied to a tree, his mouth gagged and his head hanging forward like he was unconscious.

“Father!” He didn’t move.No... She tried to stand, but Kirven pushed her down with the end of the staff.

“I promised I would torture your family if you didn’t join me.” Kirven knelt before her.

Nolan stood behind him, leaning on the pommel of a sword and watching impassively. Blood ran down the blade, soaking into the ground. Some instinct told her it was Regulus’ blood. Her heart seemed to stop beating. Kirven squinted, then looked over his shoulder, following her line of sight.

“Oh. He’s just waiting his turn.” He placed the end of the staff on her chest. Ice spread from the edge of the staff, freezing and burning all at once. She screamed.

“Adelaide!” Kirven shouted. “Adelaide!”

Something gripped her shoulders and shook her. She continued to scream, writhing on the ground.

“Adelaide!” Kirven’s voice morphed into Regulus’. “Adelaide, wake up. WAKE UP!”

Adelaide bolted upright and fought free of the hands holding her shoulders and her hand. “Let go!” Her chest heaved as she gasped for air and struggled to bring the faces hovering over her into focus. “Don’t hurt me!”

Regulus released her shoulders and sat back on his heels, his expression terrified and pained. Kneeling on her other side, Father released her hand. He looked like he had aged ten years, his face was so drawn. Dresden stopped mid-pace behind Regulus. Faint sunlight still lit the pale blue sky, and the few clouds had an orange tint. No sign of Kirven or Nolan.

“You’re safe.” Regulus’ neck corded. “Just a dream. You’re safe. No one’s going to hurt you.”

“Reg?” Her voice broke on a sob.

“Ad.” Regulus pulled her into an embrace.

Adelaide wrapped her arms around him and cried. It didn’t matter it was embarrassing. The tears had decided to fall and would not be stemmed. She sobbed into Regulus’ chest for several minutes, and her stomach and chest ached when her tears were finally spent.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured as she pulled away.

“There’s nothing to apologize for,” Regulus said.

“For you,” Dresden said. Adelaide looked up in confusion. Dresden sighed. “There’s nothing you need to apologize for. But...I do.” He crossed and uncrossed his arms. “I...shouldn’t have doubted you. You’ve clearly been through a lot. I’m sorry.”

She nodded, unable to say anything. Dresden strode away. She pressed a hand to her pounding skull.

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