Page 97 of Discovered Magic
“And who should I take? Or should I let that fucker loose on the unsuspecting world?”
“You’ll take Royal, and let him finish what he started.”
She looked down at the body of the man who had protected her from his cronies. “I don’t understand.”
“He has survived Morcant for two years, living under his radar. If anyone can go up on that mountain and not give you away with excessive emotion, it’s him. A sneak attack has its advantages.”
“But he doesn’t possess any magical abilities,” she protested. “He’s powerless against the electrical blasts. It’s why he’s lying there.”
“And you’re not, chér?” modern-day Draven asked her.
“Morcunt just hit me with one, and I’m still breathing, so…” She shrugged and grinned up at him. “By the way, I’m glad you’re still kicking.”
“Me, too, if only to be here for your return.”
He hauled her into his embrace, hugging her as if she mattered, and Abbie drank in the love.
“And Jonas?” she asked when he finally released her. “Where is… oh.”
The regret in his whiskey-colored eyes shot straight to her heart, wounding her with the knowledge that one of her favorite people was no longer around.
“Evie and Nate?”
“They became Guardians, like Masters,” Damian explained. “But they crossed over around the time you tumbled into the past.”
“I feel bad I didn’t get to thank them,” she said quietly.
“They would be the first to say don’t stress it,” he assured her. “I’ve known them since I was a small child, and never once did they waver in doing what they believed was right. Unlike me.”
In an impulsive move, she hugged him. “Forgive yourself, okay?”
“My offer to heal you is open-ended, Abbie. Whenever you’re ready.”
With a watery smile and a kiss on his cheek, she nodded. “Thank you. Now, what do we do to save Royal?”
“That’s where I come in.” A blond man with cool eyes shifted forward. “Well, all of us, really.”
“And you are?”
“Trevor Blane. The Aether’s resident Death Dealer.” He cast a mocking smile Damian’s way. “He’s our boss.”
She looked from one to the other, each man holding himself with an ease associated with knowing his own worth and having confidence in his abilities.
“The three of you work for him?”
“Oui. He isn’t so bad after you get to know him.” Draven winked.
“Your accent has changed.” She cocked her head. “But I can’t say exactly how.”
“I spent a lot of time in New Orleans after you returned home.” He tapped his temple. “The memories are still surfacing since the timeline shift.”
She froze. “Did I fuck things up? What about Wilder and my father? Were they able to travel back?”
Trevor shot a confused look at Damian. “Her father?”
“Castor.”
“Oh, fuck. You didn’t tell me that fucking tool would be here, Dethridge,” he complained with a hearty sigh.
