I stare at the beautiful swirling markings on Crypt's neck. "I killed your father."
"I know, darling. I left his corpse in Limbo for the wisps."
Oh. Then I frown, noticing how silent it's become. We're out of the maze now, and the incubus's boots crunch across the dead grass and snow of the training fields outside of Everbound Forest. Something gleams in the sky overhead, and I hear Baelfire's roar distantly.
"Is First Placement over?"
He hums. "Let's assume so. Many other legacies are still trying to get out, but I suspect the Immortal Quintet is long gone, along with all the wards. That's how we got out so quickly—I was able to fly up and finally see the way out. I know too well how the Immortal Quintet works. If Engela left the fight andtold the other two about you winning against Somnus, they'll be trying to get as far away from you as possible."
Damn. Hunting down moving targets will be a pain in the ass.
But the more important thing to worry about is…
"Are any of you hurt?"
Crypt's violet gaze flicks to mine and back up as he steps into Everbound Castle. It's still eerily silent, as if we've left one storm and are in silence before another approaches.
"I won't lie to you, love. We're all in poor shape. Your professor and your fae are unresponsive. Baelfire flew them back to the castle to get them to the apartment faster."
Oh, my gods.
I push at Crypt's arm, and he sets me down on my feet with a soft sigh. That's when I realize I'm stark fucking naked—but with the way my throat is seizing painfully at the idea of any of my matches being hurt, I don't care if anyone else sees me naked.
Crypt shrugs out of his bloodied, charred leather jacket and wraps it around me. He doesn't let go of my arm, and we end up supporting each other as we hurry back to the quintet apartment. In the halls, we pass a few whispering faculty members huddled off to the side of the hall, wide-eyed as they watch us.
Then we pass Pia, the prophetess. She's staring sagely out a tall stained-glass window, and I halt in my tracks.
"You. You can heal people even when they can't be healed."
Her white-cloaked head tips slightly. "Everyone can heal, my fearless one."
If she's trying to be profound, I don't give a fuck. "Come with me."
"What's the magic word?" she asks softly.
Seriously? She wants a fuckingpleasewhen my quintet member's lives are at stake? I'm far too emotional and on edgeat the moment, not to mention brimming with fresh power from such a big kill. Lucky for this prophetess, I'm really fucking good at composing myself.
Unfortunately, I'm not so good at stopping myself from using myI'm going to kill youvoice right now.
"My bad," I smile dangerously. "Let me try that again. Come with me,now."
I expect her to be annoyed, but the prophetess laughs softly.
"I should have known you would take after her," she murmurs.
…What?
No. Whatever cryptic shit she's trying to pull, I still don't give a fuck. I'm relieved she finally follows Crypt and me until we reach the quintet apartment.
As soon as we get inside, panic claws at my insides. Baelfire is slumped in one of the dining room chairs, his skin beaded with sweat as he wraps bandages around a still-healing injury on his midsection. Everett is a bloody mess on the kitchen floor, and Silas?—
"Where's Silas?" I ask thickly as Pia crouches and begins healing Everett.
Baelfire gives up wrapping himself and stands to wrap me in a hug. He inhales by my neck as if my scent is all he needs for a moment. “In your room. He's still breathing, but…"
I take over wrapping his injury, blinking through the moisture in my eyes, desperate to keep anyone else from seeing them. Crypt has also sat in one of the dining room chairs, his forehead on the table. He needs to feed to recuperate—especially if all that blood is his.
"But?" I ask Baelfire.
