Chapter 16 Lenna
Chapter sixteen
Lenna
Lenna felt fear–true undulating fear–as Laurent’s magic filled the portal, the whine of power making her ears pop with the renewed rush of pressure.
She was tucked behind Merrick’s outstretched wings, struggling to see what was happening outside the window.
She knew without a shadow of a doubt that this had something to do with her.
The thought terrified her, and Lenna’s body reacted accordingly, her shaking increasing, her palms slick with sweat.
“Esmeray found us,” Laurent rasped, slowly backing away from the window. Lenna’s heart slammed into her throat. Her trembling was getting worse by the second. With a sweep of Laurent’s hand, the candles and fireplace extinguished.
The only light in the house emitted from the portal behind her, illuminating the outlines of the fae and gargoyle standing between her and the killer of her predecessor.
With Laurent out of the way of the window, Lenna was able to catch a quick glimpse of the figure now pacing slowly outside the doorway. Black wings, black curled horns. Her breath caught. The fear of what Esmeray would do to her if she made it past Merrick and Laurent made Lenna’s stomach roil.
“Oh, come on, Laurent. Wards…really?” The strangely familiar female voice purred. Laurent reported quietly that Esmeray was stopped at the threshold of wards, testing for weak spots. Merrick shifted his weight, keeping Lenna behind him. “You really think these are going to keep me out?”
Lenna shot a panicked glance at Merrick and Laurent. They were both touching their rings in a silent conversation that Lenna wished she was privy to.
Would they give her up in exchange for their own freedom?
Without a word, Laurent backed towards Merrick and Lenna, snagging their three packs as he went–never taking his eyes off the door.
Crack.
Wide eyed, Lenna startled and winced.
“Esmeray broke through the first ward,” Merrick mumbled as he tucked his wings in, blindly reaching his tattooed arm out to Lenna.
“Lenna.” Laurent turned to face her, his features cold, his eyes dull. “Take Merrick’s hand.”
Lenna reached forward shakily, gripping onto the gargoyle.
Merrick’s fingers laced through her own, squeezing tightly.
Laurent gave Lenna a reassuring nod. Lenna took a deep breath, and before she had a chance to exhale, Merrick twisted around her body, his wings curling her into his chest, and launched them through the portal, Laurent a split second behind.
The last thing Lenna heard was Esmeray’s shriek of frustration before the portal enveloped them in a flash of bright light, leaving the murderous Queen of Nothing and Spinella far behind.