Page 41 of Vicious Little Vows
Lucas’ scowl had finally melted. He looked back and forth between us. “I witnessed the vortex Varian used. This might actually work.”
“If we can get the Bogs to give it back,” Crispin added. He looked at me. “I believe that part will be up to you.”
“Me? What the heck? Why do I have to do it?”
He smiled, though it seemed a bit sad. “The wild magic likes you. It has shown us as much several times. And it showed you the issue, hoping you could fix it.”
I hunched my shoulders, now fully shivering from the cold despite a bit of stolen warmth from Crispin. “I guess it’s worth a try. I like it better than relying on Sebastian’s sister.” I glanced up at him. “No offense.”
He smirked. “None taken, but if she signs the contract, we’ll have no choice.”
“Then blow him up with the vortexandwith devil magic,” Lucas huffed. “I don’t care how you do it, as long as he ends up dead. Once your mother is safe, I’ll finally be done with all of this.”
“Well at least we’re all on the same page for once,” I sighed, though we still needed to talk to the goblins.
I could still sense them, but distantly. Just what in the hells were they doing?
SEVENTEEN
When Gabriel and Mistral still hadn’t returned, the rest of us went inside to peruse more jars. The estate didn’t have regular electricity or refrigeration, but there was running water. Crispin theorized that much of the estate was run on goblin magic, and we simply didn’t understand how to work things. There were a few colorful blown glass items that could have been lamps, supporting his theory. Candles were easier to figure out though, and we used long, roughly carved matches to light a few more.
We set up in a small sitting room with two more jars. I hoped the contents were olives and carrots, but I couldn’t be sure. I was far from comfortable in my dirty dress, but at least I finally had my boots off. My sweaty socks were airing out over the arm of the stiff-cushioned sofa. Sometimes I know shame, but not when I’m trapped in mysterious realms with spooky gray meadows. Lucas could deal with my stinky socks while he peered broodily out the window.
Sebastian and Crispin were discussing how we might access the vortex within the Bogs. I listened quietly, fascinated. If we could actually retrieve it, it might fix what was happening in theBogs. Well, not all of it, but the gray. And with such a power-charged item, we could surelyfixmy great grandfather.
I popped a carrot into my mouth—they were indeed carrots—and chewed thoughtfully. I sure hoped Marcie was okay. We weren’t even sure if my grandfather was the one who took her. It stood to reason though, considering he attacked us in the Bogs the very next morning.
Although— “If my grandfather planned to attack us at the Citadel, why bother taking Marcie the night before?”
Crispin and Sebastian both turned to me with identical expressions. Sebastian sat on the same sofa I did, while Crispin had pulled up a matching chair. Ringo was sleeping in Crispin’s lap.
“What do you mean?” Crispin asked.
I shrugged, not sure if I was really on to something, or delirious from exhaustion. I set the half-eaten jar of carrots onto the floor, my stomach sour. “When they took Marcie, they didn’t try to hurt any of us. And if my grandfather orchestrated it all… I mean, I was right there. Even once I was over the boundary, he could have grabbed me, even if his henchmen couldn’t.”
Crispin looked at Sebastian. “That’s true. We’ve only been assuming the werewolves and fairies are working for him. They could have simply formed their own pact to retrieve the blade. They may even be working for Varian.”
“Hewasthe one with the vortex,” I added meaningfully.
Lucas had turned to observe our conversation, but didn’t comment. I still couldn’t quite tell how he felt toward Marcie. He seemed to dislike her, but he’d also been intent on saving her.
“But why take Marcie?” Crispin asked. “She’s a full head shorter than you. It’s not as if you’re easy to mix up.”
That was where my thought trail ended. I couldn’t think of a reason for anyone else to go after Marcie. If it was just to lure mein, one of the guys would have been a better choice. Crispin or Gabriel, since they couldn’t just poof out and escape.
I held up my hands and stifled a yawn. “You two are the plotters. I made my suggestion, now I leave it to you.” I settled back against the stiff cushions, moving my head back and forth until I found a relatively comfortable position. I closed my eyes.
Sebastian tsked, then muttered, “Always sleeping when we have things to do.”
I could hear the amusement in his voice, so I ignored him. Crispin and I had somehow replenished each other’s energy that morning, but I was back to being exhausted. Soft fur brushed my cheek as Ringo abandoned Crispin to curl against my throat. Thoughts of Marcie, my mom, werewolves, fairies, and my scary celestial great grandfather swirled in my mind until sleep took me.
I woke alonein the sitting room. The candles had been extinguished. Eerie blue light cast by the moon shone through the sole window. Something had woken me, but what?
I sat up, realizing that even Ringo was gone. Something wasn’t right. Not to sound like a spoiled princess, but the guys wouldn’t have left me alone and vulnerable. I went perfectly still when I realized what had woken me. Someone orsomethingwas tapping at the window.
My body broke into a cold sweat, and I could taste my pulse in my throat.
Slowly, I slid off the sofa and onto the floor, out of sight of the window. If it was just a branch being moved outside by the wind, I was going to feel ridiculous, but if there was a monster out there watching me…
