Page 21 of The Tracker's Dawn: Sunderverse
I stared dumbfounded.How?!
“How?” Kalyll echoed.
“Oh, it wasn’t very hard,” Damien said. “Mekare was too distracted to notice the small spell I used to save it.”
Kalyll chuckled. “I’m glad it all worked out for you.” Stiffly, he turned to Gonira. “We will leave now. I’m sure my family is anxiously awaiting news.” His cobalt gaze stopped at Damien, Eric, and Jake, with deliberate attention. “Thanks to all.” He, then, turned to me and pressed a fist to his chest. “Especially you, Antonietta Sunder.”
“She saysthank youback,” Jake repeated the words I’d projected forward.
Kalyll’s mouth tipped with a crooked smile. “I have a feeling this won’t be the last time our paths will tangle together.”
His long midnight blue hair swung about him as he whirled to face Gonira. He extended a hand, and she took it. Immediately, their outlines blurred, their colors dimmed, then they were gone. We were silent for a moment, transfixed by the disappearing act.
With a sigh, Damien turned his attention to Em. Jake and Eric also moved closer to where she lay. Seeing my chance, I took a step backward, shifted, and quickly slipped into the clothes Jake had gotten for me. Everyone respected my privacy and kept their attention on Em. Once dressed, I twined my fingers with Jake’s. He blinked in surprise, then gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. His silver gaze was so expressive I could almost hear his voice in my head.
I’m glad you aren’t hurt. I’m glad Rosalina is fine. I love you!
I squeezed his hand back, echoing the same feelings.
“How didsheend up as Mekare’s hostage?” Eric asked, gesturing toward Em.
The petite woman shrank into an even smaller ball as Damien knelt in front of her and scanned her for injuries.
“Who is she?” Jake and Damien asked in unison.
“Her name is Em,” I said, feeling stupid for not knowing her last name. “She was your daughter’s neighbor, Damien.”
At the mention of Liliana, Damien’s expression darkened. Em watched him carefully, a mix of suspicion and fear in her eyes. There was a certain edge to her demeanor that made me think she would spring on Damien like a cat if he made the wrong move.
“You knew Liliana?” he asked.
Em nodded.
“Maybe you can tell me a bit about her when you feel better. But for now... do you hurt anywhere?”
She shook her head this time.
“I’m glad. Would you like to sleep? I can help you.” Damien rubbed his hands together, a bit of magic crackling between them. “You will feel much better when you wake up.”
She hesitated for a beat, then answered in a weak voice. “Is it safe?”
“Quite safe, I assure you.” Damien smiled with fatherly tenderness.
“Okay.”
As he’d done with Rosalina, he placed two fingers at each of her temples and spoke an incantation. Instantly, Em’s eyes closed and she began breathing in an even rhythm.
Damien stood and turned to us. “All’s well that ends well.”
“I doubt the authorities will agree,” Eric said. “We left quite a mess back there.”
Jake turned to me, looking sad, and I knew right away what he was going to say.
“Rosalina’s life is the only thing that matters,” I cut him off, a lump suddenly forming in my throat. “Material stuff can be replaced.”
The mage ignored my preemptive strike and spoke anyway. “I’m sorry, Toni. I tried to save the agency, but it was more than I could handle.”
I put both hands up and waved them. “I don’t want to think about that right now. I just want to enjoy the fact that Rosalina is back.” I turned to look at her, and my heart swelled at the sight of her peaceful expression.
