“You really never had a shot,” Lilac, looking almost sympathetic told him. “I can take out actual vampires — a whole nest of them — without breaking a sweat. Did you really think you were a match for me?”
“I’m … you killed me,” he complained.
“Not yet.” Lilac withdrew her sword and shoved him toward Booker. “Push him through the door,” she ordered.
Booker’s brow furrowed in confusion.
“He’s leaking magic,” Lilac replied, looking unbothered by what was playing out. She was in complete control. “A lot of magic,” she continued. “The sort that can charge that door for our ghosts.”
Booker glanced at the door, then back at her, his lips quirking. “You’re a genius!” He swooped in and kissed her before grabbing the back of Declan’s shirt.
“Wait.” Galen extended his hand to stop Booker before the cupid could throw Declan through the opening. “We can’t let him loose on the other side, even if he is dying. He could do too much damage.”
“I don’t expect him to go on his own,” Lilac replied. “You’re taking him. So is your mother.” She hesitated. “Brody can go too,” she said, making up her mind on the fly.
Galen balked. “I’m not leaving.” He didn’t say what he was really thinking.I’m not leaving Hadley,but everybody knew what he meant.
“Hadley will be fine,” Lilac replied. “She’ll be with the three of us. We’ll be right behind you with May and Emma. We just need a little more magic.” She looked at my mother for confirmation.
Mom nodded. “I might be able to cross once Declan does.”
“We’re going to take care of Bogdan while we’re here,” Lilac replied. “I don’t like leaving loose ends, and he’s a big one.”
Mom nodded.
“If you can cross once they take Declan through, then we expect you to go,” Lilac continued matter of fact. “We’ll be right behind you after we finish.”
Mom opened her mouth, clearly to argue, but May shook her head.
“They’re a force to be reckoned with, Emma,” she supplied. “This is their battle. Theywillwin it. We have to do what they say.”
Mom nodded, her gaze never leaving me. “Fine.”
I smiled in return, offering encouragement. This was Lilac’s show.
Booker tossed Declan, still swearing and struggling, toward Galen. Declan might have had super strength but his wound had diminished him.
“This is not right,” he complained. “This was not how it should be.”
“Bummer for you.” Booker patted Declan’s head as if he was a dog, then met Galen’s steady gaze. “I’ll make sure she’s okay.”
“I know you will,” Galen grumbled.
“I think Lilac is going to end this before it even gets started,” Booker added.
Now Galen smiled. “I’m kind of sorry I’m going to miss it.”
“I’ll give you the play-by-play.”
Galen kept a solid grip on Declan and glanced at me. “Do what they say. Stay safe.”
“I’ll be fine. Have a little faith.”
“I have nothing but faith when it comes to you.” With that, Galen tossed Declan through the door and marched after him, Marjory on his heels. Brody followed without a word.
My gaze moved to May and my mother as they tested the door.
“It’s strong enough,” Mom said in wonder.
