Page 71 of Glass Hearts
We put together a plan and pack a few items we may need as Lo gets to work.
Bri bursts into the room a short while later. “Why the fuck is the dining room bloody? Are you all okay? Where is Arabella? She didn’t show up for her shift.”
Grayer growls as Sylas runs his hand down his face.
“It’s a long, fucking awful story. We were spelled, Arabella is in trouble. The-the blood is hers,” Sylas struggles to get out. We are all emotional after watching the woman we love get whipped. Unable to do anything to stop it. “Her evil stepmother works with a mage, who had disguised himself as Hendrickson. Miss Elora is trying to develop a conduit so we can track her. ”
“Well,fuck. I take it that’s why the castle is empty. Hang tight, I am going to go inform the staff not to trust any other council folk and the Baudelaires. I will also prepare a few goods for you to take along the way.”
A bird taps on the balcony window.
“That’s Petra! Open the door!” Lo bellows, still trying to focus on the spell. We are a useless lot, as the women do everything.
The crow caws as it goes directly to Lo with a note. Most likely from Sunshine.
My heart aches that we aren’t the first people she turns to for support, but then I suppose we had just broken her damned heart, even unintentionally. I am going to break every bone in that evil woman and her partner for making our love hate us.
We circle Lo as she opens the note.
My dearest Lo,
I am so sorry I ran off without telling you, I should have found you and run with you. It all happened so fast. You need to get out of the castle—fast. There was never a mage willing to help me. I have been such a gullible fool in so many ways.
Bernice was right; love isn’t for me. The princes never loved me; they chose my stepsisters… so maybe don’t trust them either. Just get out of the castle. Tell Bri to be careful, too.
LEAVE NOW!
Bernice & Victor brought me to the south. My guess is they will still be traveling back to the castle by the time you get this, but they will be there soon. Get out fast. I am going to keep heading south, to Quotina. I believe that is the closest city to where I am. Meet up there?
PS: I kind of killed my husband. Well… A bear did. But that’s a story for when I see you next.
Please, please stay safe.
Love you.
-A
“Husband?” Grayer yells, throwing a chair at the wall.
“Quotina!? That is many hours away! They must have tracked her down right after she ran and forced her to marry. That means her curse is broken, which means she is at least away from the wretched woman. But she is right; we need to leave now,” Archer says as he puts on his satchel with determination.
“Take this.” Lo hands back the orb that now has a slight glow to it. Grayer puts it back on his necklace. Holding it to his chestas if it is the most precious thing he owns, “When you get closer to her, within five meters, it will glow. If you move away from her, it will dim.”
Archer puts his hands on Lo’s shoulders. “We cannot thank you enough. Be sure to get out and hide from them. The castle is compromised. Do you have somewhere safe to go?”
“I do, but don’t worry about me. Follow the glow and bring my girl back. Take Bert and Kip. She will want them with her.” Lo turns to leave, but before she exits, a snake, that must have been hiding in her hair, wraps around her neck, and raises its head to emphasize her parting words.
“One more thing, boys.” It isn’t lost on us that she dropped our princely titles. “If you hurt my girl ever again. I will destroy you all. Royalty be damned.”
And I believe her.
Arabella
Max arrived back shortly after Petra’s departure. I honestly thought he wasn’t going to come back. He is the largest animal I have ever been able to successfully connected to. I lift the bag of remaining uncooked meat that I promised to bring along.
“I appreciate you helping me, but if you have other matters to attend to, you don’t have to follow or help me further. You have already helped so much.”
“Nonsense. The further south we go, the more lawless it becomes. And what’s the point of saving you if you end up getting murdered by someone else anyhow?”
