Page 76 of Kiss the Dawn
“I’ve done my research, and I know he can’t be killed, but he isn’t immune to magic. I’ve commissioned the perfect magical trap. Once he steps into it, he’ll be in a purgatory of pain for eternity. You’re here so you can’t interfere. You won’t make it to guard duty tonight. You’ll stay here until the deed is done.Don’t bother trying to call anyone; I’ve ensured that you’ll have no reception here. The doors will open at dawn. I know that there will be consequences for my actions tonight, but frankly, I don’t care.”
More static was followed by silence.
“Henry! Henry, fucking hell!” But he didn’t reply, and the more I thought it over, the more it became obvious that I must have just listened to a pre-recorded message.
Think, Orina. Ezekiel was out tonight at a tour…but maybe there was no tour. Maybe Henry had arranged it all to get him to a location so he could attack him. No, it would be okay. Godor was with him. Ezekiel was powerful. It would be okay. He’d be okay.
But what if he wasn’t? Henry had said that the trap was magical, that all Ezekiel needed to do was step in it, which meant there would be no big attack for him to see coming. Oh God.
I checked my phone, and there was no reception just as Henry had promised. Even if there had been, who would I call? The team and Hemlock were in Old Town. Kaster! I could text him, and if there was a flare in reception, then he’d get the message.
I quickly typed out a message letting him know that Ezekiel was in danger and to stop him from going to Innovation Corp. I explained there was a magical trap. I didn’t bother telling him about my predicament because I wasn’t in any danger, and I needed the focus to be on Ezekiel.
I sent the message, then checked my watch. Ezekiel’s tour was at nine, and it was now eight. I had an hour to get to Innovation. If I ran, I’d make it in thirty minutes.
I had to find a way out.
There had to be a weakness somewhere.
I took a breath, centered myself, and then began an inspection of the house, only to conclude that there was no exit. Every window was barred, and all the doors were covered in metal sheeting. The mechanism to override it could be anywhere.
Eight-twenty.
My message to Kaster still hadn’t been delivered.
Time was running out. If I didn’t get out in the next ten minutes, then I might not make it to him.
I squeezed my eyes closed against the image of Ezekiel falling into a trap. Of him being in pain again. He’d suffered enough, paid for sins he hadn’t even committed a hundred-fold. He’d been stripped of his humanity, made into a monster, but he’d clawed his way back, and now…now Henry was going to throw him back in the pit?
A fire burned in my chest. No. No, I wouldn’t allow it.
He didn’t deserve to be hurt again. My upper arm tingled and grew hot, and I reached for my sword on instinct, fingers curling around the hilt with familiar assurance before the rush of warmth down my armregistered. My heart swelled as power bloomed and lit up my sword.
How…how was this possible?
Fuck it, I wasn’t about to question it. It was a closely guarded secret among the Order blessed that a blessed blade infused with power could cut through most anything. Even metal bars.
I ran for the nearest window and swung at the bars, slicing horizontally. The blade glowed, cutting through the metal like butter to reveal the window. I smashed the glass, then crashed out onto the lawn, barely feeling the jagged bite of fractured shards.
Ezekiel, I’m coming.
Chapter 28
EZEKIEL
The vehicle I hired is large and spacious, some new luxury model, the name escapes me, but the seats are buttery leather, and it smells like money.
Godor sits curled in on himself in the seat opposite me. He’s getting larger and more humanoid. His face in particular looks more like a person now. How did I not notice that? Have I been so self-obsessed and blind?
He shifts in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. “Godor could fly.”
“I know, but we’re arriving in a car like normal people.”
“We are not normal people,” he says softly, almost wistfully.
A weight settles on my chest. “You’re changing.”
His gaze sharpens. “Yes, Master.”
