Page 95 of Spellbound
“Elle, let’s not wait for the sun to set,” Maddox joked when I trudged into the lobby. Protectors had gathered in swarms, searching the area for signs of who could have caused the damage. I looked at Maddox, then at Naomi. It was the work of a god, but to say which one was hard. It was unlikely to be Freya, but she would have had to be near for Alexander to be there, and why was he so close? Had they come for us?
If it was Raiden, why had he wrecked our motor? The most plausible was Aziel.
“This way.” Maddox jerked his head in the direction of an empty room. I followed him and Naomi inside. “Where’s Edmund?”
“Left an hour ago,” Maddox said nonchalantly. “He’s gone to find an alternative mode of transport. He wants us to wait here until he returns.”
I scratched the back of my neck. “I thought we were going by foot?”
“He decided against it, with everything that’s happened. He wants us to wait here until he comes back. He’s also furious about the motor, but he pretends like he’s not thinking about that with everything happening that’s more important, but I can tell he’s pissed.”
“How long is he going to be?”
He shrugged. “No idea. He could be hours. A day.”
“A day?” Naomi’s eyes widened. “We need to find them now.”
“She’s right.” I looked at Maddox. “We should go on foot. Maybe I should just go in alone.”
He laughed. “Are you insane? You barely survived the last two times you went into a forest. Third time’s the charm, right?”
“Shut up.” I clicked my tongue, then looked at Naomi. “What the...”
Maddox rubbed his forehead, smoothing the creases forming. “Oh, gods. She’s only gone and found religion.”
Naomi whispered into her closed hands, eyes closed.
My eyebrows pinched downward. “Are you... praying?”
She opened her eyes. “I have to do something. Maybe they can hear us or something.”
Maddox suppressed a smirk, but I caught it and burst out laughing.
She glared at us in turn. “It’s not funny. I’m just trying something.”
“Oh, Naomi.” Maddox shook his head, smirking. “You don’t pray to these gods. We were taught to pray to Estia only, to show gratitude or whatever, not to ask for them to come.” He looked at me, then laughed. “She’s trying to summon a god.” He paused, trying not to laugh. “Through prayer.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “Whatever. At least I’m doing something.”
He leaned against the wall, picking a piece of fluff off the sleeve of his shirt. Even after a night like last night, he always managed to look immaculate. “I never said I wasn’t doing anything. I actually agree with you and Elle.”
My eyes widened. “I’m sorry. Youagreewith us?”
“Don’t look so shocked. Sometimes you actually have good ideas.”
I placed my hand on my hip. “Sometimes?”
“On occasion,” he teased. “Look, Edmund is overly cautious and is too worried about you girls to really go headfirst into this thing. He thinks we need to stay on the road between the forest to stay safe, but we’ll just be moving targets to anyone watching. I think we should go in, but”—he put a finger in the air—“not alone, because I’m starting to think you have a death wish. We are all going together.”
“When do we leave?” I asked, glancing at a small window. Sunlight arrowed in, illuminating the dust in the air. “We can’t be in there at night.”
He looked at me incredulously. “The forest is huge, and the way to the mountains is at least a day’s trek. We’re going to be in there overnight, but fear not. I’m always prepared.” He patted his backpack without elaborating. “Get your stuff. We leave now.”
“Edmund’s going to kill you,” Naomi warned, a mischievous glint in her eye.
“No,” he said. “He’ll kill Elle. I’ll tell him this was her idea.”
I clicked my tongue. “Can’t you take one day off from being an asshole?”
