Page 69 of Unbound By Shadows
“They won’t find you here. Eldridge hired an enchantress to make the attic a safe room when he built this house,” Brunie said. “Samael has probably killed all the vampires by now anyway.”
Selene’s chin began to tremble.Don’t cry, don’t cry.“I’m so scared for him. Do you think he’s all right?”
Brunie laughed. “Oh, yes. Worried for you, I’d imagine, but not in any danger. You couldn’t have a more devoted protector. Now run along.”
“Yes. All right.”
“Don’t be frightened,” Brunie said. “Go on.”
The other Harpy stopped rearranging her feathers to give Selene an appraising look. “Where is your anger, girl?”
Selene didn’t respond, not sure if she was asking a trick question.
The Harpy placed her hands on her hips. “Vampires were just trying to drain you! They wished to steal your blood and defile your flesh. You should be outraged, not fearful!”
“Be kind, Deryn,” Brunie urged.
“I-I thought I was going to die,” Selene answered.
“So?” Deryn thumped a fist to her own chest, then tossed her head back to let out a screech that caused lightning to flash in the sky. “Remember your anger, sweet one! There is nothing more powerful than a female’s fury. Feel it, use it!”
Brunie shook her wings impatiently. “Yes, yes, our anger is as commanding as it is infinite. Now let the girl be.” She nudged Selene’s shoulder. “Give us a wave from the window, and we’ll be off.”
“Ah, I love a battle!” Deryn said jovially. “Let’s call a storm once it’s over!”
“Wonderful idea! Once you hear our thunder, Selene, you’ll know everything’s fine,” Brunie said.
Selene rushed into the house. Her joints ached when she rushed up the stairs, and it took most of her strength to open the attic’s big metal door. Once inside, Selene crossed the wooden floor to one of the windows. She waved down to the Harpies, and they waved back before launching themselves in the air, singing a melody that sounded like a battle march.
She watched until they were out of sight then looked around the room. It was clear why Sam stayed in the attic during visits. The space was huge. An enormous bed dominated the space, while shelves of cooking equipment lined the walls. A small sink stood in the corner.
Like a zombie, she began to wash her hands. With a nearby washcloth, she scrubbed off the Nereid cream and vampire blood splattering her skin. She tried not to think about all the dead bodies she had just seen. Why would vampires come to a little place like Snowmelt?
Yet again, she was reminded that there was so much of Aurelia she didn’t understand. But for the first time since she arrived, the thought of escaping its strangeness wasn’t a comfort. Because going home meant leaving Sam.
Chapter 28
Thunder cracked overhead. Sam pulled Rainsilver’s reins to stop the carriage outside Brunie and Eldridge’s cottage and shouted, “Selene!”
He knew she probably couldn’t hear him, but he couldn’t hold back as he leapt to the ground and sprinted past Rainsilver. Pulling the front door open, Sam burst into the house and thundered up to the attic. "Selene, it’s me! Open the door!"
When she did not respond, a barrage of worries flooded him. What if one of the vampires had spotted Brunie and followed them? Selene could be miles away, being drained at that very moment. Or what if she had been injured? Perhaps Selene was lying on the attic floor right now, bleeding out.
He jiggled the handle, about to tear the door from its hinges. Finally, he heard the click of locks being undone, and the door cracked open. Selene appeared, barefoot and looking up at him with huge, frightened eyes.
Sam stepped inside. He barely had the chance to shut the door when Selene wrapped her arms around his torso. He enveloped her in his embrace.
She was alive.
She was whole.
He had kept her safe.
He squeezed her tighter against his chest, not ever wanting to let go. Dropping his cheek to her hair, he whispered, "Are you all right?"
“Yes. Are you? And Brunie and Eldridge?”
“All fine. They're back at the hall. Cleaning up.” He stroked her hair, hoping the dampness of his clothes didn’t bother her.
