“Stop it, Cosmo,” Theo scolds. “What else can he say? We have no idea what we’re walking back into, and won’t, until we can speak with my friends.”
“Fuck my life. Relying on more duds? This is going to go great.”
I’ve had enough of hearing his voice
—We go now—
“Yes, good idea. Thanks, Lu.” The smile she gives me is slightly brittle. Nervous.
Hmm, yes, I can sense her anxiety.
—I keep you safe—
“I know you will,” she murmurs. “It’s the rest of the world I’m worried about.”
16
I’ll keep you safe.
Though Ludo’s words are comforting, fear still gnaws at my insides.
Dark energy is being pumped into our world, and I’m supposed to stop it.
Me.
Theodora Wilson.
Impossible.
“There,” Donovan says as we round a corner and a golden, eerie glow lights the tunnel's end. “Finally,” he groans, “I won’t feel whole again until I smack Wes in the face for leaving me.”
I know the feeling; although I don’t want to punch my love, I just want to hold him and possibly never let him go.
“Lu?”
—Nymph?—
“How sure are you that this will take us home, and not to some other freaky realm?” I ask.
—I am certain. I know not how, but I do—
Amazing. Ludo is amazing. He’s taking us through these labyrinths; never flustered, always there keeping me safe. Keeping us all safe.
Shit. And nowI’msupposed to be the protector, and of the whole Earth realm.
OK, yes, my spark is alight now, and sure, power thrums through my veins, but still. Me?
We all halt at the portal. Once we go back to Validus Vale, nothing is going to be the same again.
“Who goes through first?” I ask.
Ludo raises an eyebrow—The most expendable—
I think he’s joking, but I’m not sure. “Hmm, and who do you think that is?”
—Dragon—
I give Ludo a stern look, even though Cosmo would be my vote as well. He’s strong (a dragon for crying out loud), has tons of magic, and well…I don’t love him.
