Chapter fifteen
Monty
My lungs heave and suck in all the oxygen they can. I blink and try to gather my scattered thoughts. A moment ago, I was dreaming. Now, all of a sudden, I’m sitting up in my bed in the campervan. Gasping alone in the dark.
It is the middle of the night. All is quiet and still. My dream was not a nightmare. Why am I suddenly awake?
Carefully, I reach out with my magic and check my wards. Everything seems in order, but I suppose I should get out of bed and do a physical check. Something woke me. So something could be out there.
I untangle myself from the covers and throw on some clothes. Then I hurry outside. The cold night air hits me and wakes me up. The stars are shining and it is a beautiful night. A very quiet night.
A quick walk around the campervan shows me that everything is in order. Nothing and no one has tampered with my magical protection boundary. A relief, obviously. But now I am confused.I’m not in the habit of bolting awake in the middle of the night. It definitely wasn’t my imagination that disturbed my peace.
I glance towards the house, and frown. Not one single light is on. Not a single sound is coming from it.
I pull my phone out of my trouser pocket. 4.25 a.m. Everyone could be asleep. That’s not an unreasonable conclusion. They are all young and paranormal and there are eleven of them, but they still could all be sleeping. Nobody is a wild party animal, or an obsessive gamer, as far as I know.
My feet drift closer to the house. The silence itches at me. Damn it, it’s rude to pry on a home, but hopefully I will be forgiven. Tentatively, I reach out with my magic. Goddess, I hope I don’t anger the demon.
A gentle sweep of magic confirms my suspicion. The house is as empty as it seems.
My heart pounds and my limbs shake. Is Pink alright? Is he in danger? Does he need me?
Dread gnaws at my stomach. I hate this. I’m so helpless. I have no idea what has happened. I have no clue where Pink might be. I’m useless. Impotent.
And Pink didn’t ask me to help.
Some disaster has clearly occurred, causing them all to flee the house, and his thoughts did not turn to me. Or they did, and he dismissed them. Did he think I wouldn’t want to help? Does he not trust me?
I run my hands through my hair and suck in a deep breath. It does nothing to calm me. It doesn’t ease this heavy sense of guilt, either.
I have been lying to Pink. I have done nothing to earn his trust. I should not be disgruntled that I don’t have it.
Some small part of me whines in protest, claiming I haven’t been lying, merely omitting the truth. It is a pedantic distinction. I introduced myself as Montgomery, knowing damn well if Ididn’t give a surname, he’d assume I was disowned and didn’t have one.
Pink believes I’m an outcast from Old Blood society. Like he is. And I have been relishing in it.
But that has nothing to do with this. I’m pretty sure he hasn’t uncovered the truth of me. I don’t think that is the cause of his mistrust. It is far more likely that he simply can deduce that I have secrets. He is a very clever man. Perceptive.
And because he knows I am shady, he has run off into the night without my help.
A small noise of distress escapes me. I stagger over to a garden bench and sit down. I need to get a grip. Everything is going to be fine. His friends will protect him. Wherever Pink is, he is with a very powerful demon. Along with a vampire, a siren, a kelpie, a shifter and a… fey descendent.
A fey descendent who has been acting strangely. At a time when the fey have been whispering to those that carry their blood.
My lungs freeze. My heart stops beating. My mind floods with dark thoughts.
No. No, no, that can’t be what is happening. My mind is simply fixated on it because it is fresh information from Laurie’s debutant ball. Jade isn’t really out there opening a portal to the fey realm.
Pink hasn’t gone to try to stop him.
I shudder. It feels like my blood has turned to ice. I should have warned Pink. I should have shared what I learned. Now I can only hope that I don’t regret my poor decision for the rest of my life.
All I can do is sit here and wait. And hope. And pray to any gods who will listen.
It is hard to breathe. The night seems to have grown darker. And colder. The garden is now full of shadows. The world is now a terrible place because it has allowed Pink to be in danger.
Holy hells. I sit up ramrod straight as the realization hits me with the force of a lightning strike. I am far more concerned with Pink’s safety than I am by the prospect of the fey invading Earth. To the extent that, as long as Pink is unharmed, I don’t think I’d care if Jade succeeds.
