Page 65 of Lunar Diamonds
Erin appeared in the doorway, Ollie behind her. Her cardigan was buttoned up, covered in blood, pretty much ruined.
I stood. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
She smiled. “House Aurora lives to fight another day.” She clocked the pages, smiling with what looked like relief instead. “Those pages are remnants from your predecessors. Useful notes, aside from The Star—though I have that information for Preston forwhenwe find him.” With another smile, she added, “Thank you for saving us, Riley.”
Not one to take any credit, I countered her thanks with, “Drake guided me up here.”
She stopped, regarding him. “Which tells me a lot about his character.”
Drake stayed statue-still, barely blinking.
“The protect spell recognizes enemies, which also adds positively to my understanding of who you are.”
Not an enemy. Trustworthy. Hot, hot, hot. Just by standing there, he exuded sex appeal to whet my appetite. And he’d proved himself to be trustworthy, only adding to his yumminess.
I think. I wasn’t sure. With everything I’d been through tonight, my brains were too scrambled to know what else to think.
“You said you can help find the lunar diamonds, Mr. Parish,” Erin said. “I presume that comes with a price?”
Ollie put down a folding chair for Erin, handed her a vial of pink liquid, then left the attic without a word.
“He’s not staying?” Isaac’s disappointment was nothing short of palpable.
Erin ignored his question. “Well?” She sat down, awaiting Drake’s response.
He took a moment to speak, not looking my way. “My freedom.”
That made me jolt in surprise. Not the response I’d expected.
“From what?” Erin replied.
“A shadow bond. Have you heard of them?” His eyes darted to me briefly.
Erin nodded. “Shadow witches use vulnerable moments to bind themselves to a victim. Though it doesn’t bind a victim completely to their will, you must obey some of the time.”
“Depends on the request,” Drake said. “I can resist some demands, but that comes with consequences.” He sighed, holding back the gory details.
“And it also tethers the victim to the caster’s life. Eventually, you will need to return to her side. Am I right?”
He rubbed his right wrist on his left. “Yes. It’s an itch that’s getting worse.”
Erin continued. “These bonds also provide a semblance of invincibility—which is why you said Rhianna couldn’t be killed, and neither could you.”
Aghast, I watched on, my brain numb. Poor thing found itself overloaded.
Drake looked my way again, rocking on his heels. “I’m an idiot. I played into Rhianna Kingwood’s hands.”
What did that mean?
He sighed, dipping his head. “I’m her fiancé.”
Chapter 16
RILEY
If my jaw kept hitting the floor like this, there’d be no bone left.
Fiancé? Really? What the hell?
