Sin Garu looked delighted. “Excellent. You’ve harnessed outside psychic abilities, just as I’d suspected. But I wonder just how much elemental power you’ve absorbed from the Storm Lords.”
He reached forward, his palm a whisper away from touching my cheek when he stopped. “But not here. There’s not enough room.” His expression turned crafty, and he pointed at the door. “Run, Tessa. Just to make it interesting, let’s see how fast and far you can go before I find you.”
I wasn’t about to waste the opportunity. Without a backward glance, I threw open the front door and vaulted out into…nothingness.
Chapter 33
Marcus
I zipped back to the house with Aerolus, my heart beating so strenuously I prayed I’d live long enough to save Tessa from Sin Garu.
“I really hate teleporting.” I glared at Aerolus, knowing I had no right to snap at my brother, but my anger kept me focused and not fearful. “Cadmus,” I roared.
“I’m right here.” Cadmus appeared in the foyer with a frown. “Quit shouting. You’re only adding to my headache.”
“Cadmus,” Aerolus warned, apparently seeing what Cadmus was too dense to realize.
Striving hard to keep myself in control of my emotions lest I destroy everything in sight, I stared directly into my brother’s brown eyes. “Where. Is. She?”
Cadmus’ eyes widened. “Whoa, there. You’re seriously spooking me.”
Everything around me looked hazy, warped. It was as if the world in which I stood existed but was buffered by water. I closed my eyes tight, and when I opened them, my vision cleared. But I still felt surrounded by a dense power, buoyed by energy.
“Take me to her, brother,” I commanded Aerolus, magic in my words.
“Hold onto it, Marcus. You’ll know when to release it,” Aerolus said. “You’re more powerful now than you’ve ever been, and you’re going to need it. Unfortunately, we can’t summon Arim or Darius. Don’t ask questions, there’s no time. I’ll explain later, after we’ve rescued Tessa. Both of you, take my hands.”
Cadmus and I grabbed onto him.
Aerolus added, “Whatever you do, Cadmus, let Marcus lead today.”
“No problem.” Cadmus stared at me with pride and awe. “Now that waterboy’s back in control, with any luck, we’ll kill the sorcerer, and you and I can return home happily single.”
Cadmus turned to me. “Don’t worry, Marcus. One way or the other, your affai will leave in one piece with you.”
I nodded, aware Cadmus meant it. I also knew I’d sacrifice myself, if need be, to save us all. “As long as Tessa is safe, that’s all that matters.”
I studied my brothers, men I loved with an intensity that could never be described by mere words. “Be careful. And if I tell you to step back and let me handle the sorcerer, do it.”
I expected Cadmus to argue, but he surprised me by nodding.
“Well,” I said, my voice sure even if a small part of me remained uncertain, “let’s go.”
Chapter 34
Tessa
Would the pain never stop? I clutched my aching head and glared at Sin Garu, who looked none too pleased with me either.
I thought I’d gotten lucky by his decision to chase me. But after walking into a void that had spat me out—here—I realized this might be worse than being stuck in Davis’ house.
We’d been playing this game ever since he’d caught me, not seconds after I’d run like my life depended on it through this weird stone grotto.
“If you don’t engage the next one before it reaches that line, I’ll let it and its brethren have you. Really, Tessa. These sentiments of morality are aggravating in the extreme.” He pointed at me and murmured something, and my skull felt as if it would split in two. “Do as I command, unless you’d rather we retire to bed instead?” His expression turned thoughtful as he studied me.
Stifling an instinctive shudder, I said, “Fine, I’ll do it. But you’d better pray I never get loose. The minute you turn your back, you’re a dead man.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I knew my angry bravado had been a mistake. The sorcerer laughed, and he sounded sincere. He leaned close. His breath was both sweet and repulsive, as if he’d eaten something pure and it had turned to rot.
