My eyes lock on the mahogany cabinet that holds whatever object she’s bound her magic to sitting directly behind her.
Shit.
This is why I shouldn’t have listened to Braxton’s plan. I was supposed to sneak around Dianthus and grab the object while Braxton distracted her, but I’m not sure how she won’t notice me when I’m right next to her.
I huff a breath of frustration and wonder why I was the one supposed to do the sneaking for this plan. I’m a much better distractor.
“Dianthus, good to see you again,” Braxton greets with a mockingly chipper attitude.
“Right, right. I know you two figured out what my magic is tethered to. Honestly, I’m surprised you went that route. I was sure you would choose to run for the hills.”
“You would have hunted us,” Braxton states, inspecting his nails before brushing down the front of his shirt.
“I know,” Dianthus whines. “It would have been so fun.”
Braxton crosses his arms over his chest and nonchalantly leans against the doorway he’s still standing in. “Well, you know my favorite pastime is ruining your plans,” he quips.
Dianthus sniffs, tilting her head so she’s looking down her nose at him. “Where is your oh-so-precious, Wildflower,” she goads, throwing around his nickname for me.
I don’t realize that hearing her call me by the name that was reserved only for Braxton has me grinding my teeth until I feel a light pop in my jaw.
“I told her to go. It’s me you have business with, and I’m quite sick of my wife being wrapped up in the stupid games we’re playing. You wanted me, right?” Braxton pushes off the doorframe and steps closer to Dianthus. “Well, here I am.”
I practically jump out of my skin when I feel something soft and fuzzy skate along my feet. I wouldn’t put it past Dianthus tohave rats lurking in her hallways. Whirling around, I see Luna coming to sit next to me, her fluffy white tail brushing along my feet and legs.
Letting out a sigh of relief, I gently shush her when she releases a soft whine and begin petting my fingers through her fur.
Turning my attention back to the cabinet, I try to figure out how I’m going to execute this plan. Sweat is beading along my forehead and I watch Braxton step closer to Dianthus. This wasn’t part of the plan; he was supposed to keep his distance. He’s trusting me to save him, and I truly don’t know if I can.
Dianthus’s eyes flash with a stomach-churning hunger.
“Oh, and what fun we’ll have, Braxton, just as soon as you stop lying to me.”
“I’m not—”
“I said stop lying!” Dianthus voice goes from calm to chaotic in a flash.
“What? Don’t you want your pound of flesh, Dianthus? Is this not good enough for you?” Braxton holds his arms out wide.
“Among other things,” Dianthus coos, leaning forward in her seat.
I run my sweaty palms over the thin material of my slip. He’s getting too close. He won’t be able to run from her. She’s too fast. She could hurt him. She’s going to hurt him.
My heart ricochets against my ribs, and I hold my breath, waiting to see what Braxton does next.
“Come and get me,” Braxton taunts, and I finally realize what he’s trying to do.
He must have figured out that the cabinet we’re trying to gain access to is the same one that’s behind her. He’s trying to get her to move so that I can have a chance at actually unlocking the cabinet.
“Braxton, no,” I groan under my breath. This is a reckless, dumb idea. She’s still too strong, and being this close to her magic source is making her stronger.
To my shock, Dianthus takes the bait. Pushing herself up from her chair, she stalks toward Braxton, my breath hitching with each one of her gliding steps.
Luna senses my anxiety and rubs her face against my palm, doing her best to comfort me. I’m only half paying attention to her as I peek my head further out form the doorway. My eyes dart to a flash of light I see across the room, my chest tightening.
My heart relaxes when I realize it wasn’t Dianthus shooting a bolt of magic at Braxton like I initially feared. It’s only the moon glinting off a piece of shattered glass from the window that Luna broke through.
Oh. My. Sweet. Skies.
