Chapter 29 #2
I roll my eyes and start to turn back to the counter, but Elliot stops me.
He steps forward, bracing one hand on either side of my hips.
We’re close enough I can feel the heat from his body.
He’s wearing a buttoned shirt, rolled to his elbows, and he smells impossibly divine.
I glance toward the living room, relieved the others aren’t paying attention.
When I look back, Elliot’s face is a breath from mine.
“Would you live there with me?” he asks. Rather than pulling back to speak, he moves closer, until his lips ghost my cheek.
“In your dilapidated castle?”
“Anywhere.”
I lean back, studying his bright hazel eyes, gauging his seriousness.
Before I have the chance to answer, there’s a knock at the door.
Sebastian answers it, but Beatrice and Milas are stuck waiting on the front porch.
Elliot steps away from me, his hand trailing down my arm as he reluctantly turns to the door.
“You can come in,” he says.
Beatrice and Milas fight to be first, and though Milas wins, it’s Beatrice who lets out a victorious whoop.
“I win,” she taunts. Turning to Milas, she adds, “Your knife, please.”
Behind her, Milas already has his knife in his palm, the handle turned toward her. He rolls her eyes as she takes it and kicks the door shut with his boot.
“Do I want to know?” Sebastian asks.
“I bet Milas that those two would hook up in the few hours since they had breakfast in the courtyard.” Beatrice fastens the knife to her hidden thigh sheath. She smirks, looking between me and Elliot. “Couldn’t believe he’d bet against them.”
“A simple no would have sufficed,” Sebastian grumbles.
“As if you didn’t already know.” Beatrice slaps him on the back as she crosses the room, her smile growing as she looks at me. “Good for you, Cora.”
I roll my eyes, but it’s the most I allow myself to react. Beatrice feeds on insecurity and embarrassment, and I’m not about to offer her either.
“Enough,” Sebastian says. It’s the tone that makes spines stiffen, even mine. “We cannot afford distractions today. Understood?”
“Yes, Master,” I say. I’m surprised to realize I’m not the only one. Amelia and Milas both echo the title. Sebastian may no longer be king of the vampires, but the respect is there regardless.
“Let’s finish with her holding room,” Sebastian says. He crosses to the open doorway near the kitchen. It leads into a small bedroom, containing only a narrow bed. “Milas, you have the supplies?”
Moments later, we’re all too busy to pick at each other.
Milas and Amelia prepare the ingredients and artifacts.
I ward the room to contain Elliot’s mama, and he provides a droplet of blood to strengthen its hold.
Sebastian, Beatrice, and Grace remain in the living room to discuss the many scenarios that could occur after.
A hoard of vampires will arrive as soon as it’s safe, and they’ll ensure we transport her without getting intercepted. If all goes according to plan, it should be easy. Hopefully, the council won’t realize Madam Lyrie has been kidnapped until we’re long gone from the Day Realm.
“Get her into the bedroom by her own volition if possible,” Sebastian states once we’re all back in the living room. He stares at Elliot as he speaks, ankle crossed over his opposite knee.
“She’ll sense the wards,” I say, shaking my head. “We should take her down as soon as she’s inside.”
“Can your magic handle her?” Sebastian asks, looking between me and Elliot.
“Mine can’t,” he says. “Secora’s can. If I’m able to get Mama here without Secora’s help, she can take her down. But in case this gets messy, you should be prepared to intervene.”
“How do you suggest we do that without decapitating her?” Beatrice asks. “Personally, I’d rather not end tonight with my heart ripped outside my body.”
“Carefully,” I say, voice mockingly sweet.
At the same time, Elliot says, “With these.”
He pulls his messenger bag onto his lap, and with a quick glance my way, he pulls out a pair of dull golden cuffs.
I can’t help the gasp that sucks between my teeth.
I haven’t seen those cuffs in over a decade, not outside of memories.
Despite everything I’ve survived and all the ways I’ve grown, I tense at the sight of them.
Without consciously deciding to, I scoot back in my armchair and tuck my hands beneath my thighs.
Elliot passes the cuffs to Sebastian in a monumental display of trust. I’m not sure anyone in this room even realizes it.
As the vampires study the bands, Elliot moves from his armchair to mine, maneuvering so I’m on his lap.
Normally, I’d be mortified at the public display of affection.
But right now, with my childhood trauma being passed around like an interesting artifact, I don’t care.
“I love you,” he whispers against the side of my head.
“I love you too,” I say. My voice is barely audible, but I’m well aware the others can hear me. Despite this, I add, “Are you sure you want to do this?”
At my question, the vampires fall quiet. They make a show of looking at the cuffs, but I know they’re listening. I don’t care. My question is for Elliot and Elliot alone.
“I’m sure,” he says. He kisses my temple before looking to the others in the room. “Those cuffs will rob her of magic. Once they’re on, she’ll be powerless.”
“You wore these,” Sebastian says. He doesn’t look up, but I know the statement is for me. I’d been wearing the false pair the day we met.
“Yes. They are horrid.”
“Excellent,” he says, and his mouth twists into a blood-curdling grin.