“Peril. Pigs. Any number of things… or all is lost.”
I’m over cryptic warnings and strangers interfering in my life.
“Who are you?”
“Cassandra.”
At that, Ellie paused. “Like the seer no one believed?”
“Yes, but you must listen, Elleanor Zel—”
“Stop.” Ellie stepped around her and kept walking, calling back over her shoulder, “You’ll find that I’m not a huge fan of secrecyorbeing toldwhat to do. If you think I need to go with Prospero, tell her. Tell the chief witch. I’vetried to,but she refused.”
“I’ve tried, too,” Cassandra snapped.
And for a moment, Ellie felt sorry for her. Obviously, Ellie offered to go with Prospero, but no one seemed willing to let her.
Because I was an escapee.That was the undeniable truth.She doesn’t want to take me over there because I was an escapee before this!
23Sondre
“This was the plan?” Sondre thundered at Maggie as soon as they were alone. “Court trouble in the middle of the damn castle?”
She stepped back. “I warned you.”
“At least practice a little subterfuge, woman. The junkie—”
“Who?” Maggie interjected.
“The leech trying to ruin Monahan’s life here.” Sondre scowled.
“Oh. Axell and Dan said you dislike him,” Maggie said quietly.
“Monahan could be someone. He’s powerful in ways you don’t even—”
“He amplifies magic,” Maggie said levelly. “If memory serves, he amplified some healing magic and then Axell and Dr. Jemison and I all got off at once?”
“You remember that?” Sondre stared at her for a moment. Then he frowned before he realized what she’d done.
“No. I don’t. Why is that, dear?” She crossed her arms and eyed him like he was a monster.
He had the sense to look away and mutter, “He’s an attractive man. I’m older, and you… he…”
Maggie slapped his arm harder than a tap but not enough to actually hurt. “You idiot. I’m with you.”
“I had an insecure moment when Prospero was—” He gestured at her head. “—meddling around in there. I want you to only want me.”
She stared at him like he was a slug. “Don’t ever do something like that again. I’ll make you regret meeting me if you try to control me, Sondre.”
He nodded once.
Then he felt a tug, a certainty that he knew was magic in the other world summoning him. “I need to go. I’m going to drop Craig off for fresh air while I’m away.”
“What?”
“Craig, let’s go,” he called. “We were on our way over so Hestia and Craig could bond. Remember? Then you… a hob told me you were being reckless… and now the escapees.” He pulled her in and kissed her soundly. “Sorry I was a fool, Maggie. You can yell at me in a bit.” He glanced around the room. “Craig! Now!”
Then he grabbed the boy’s arm and teleported, landing in an open-air shopping center where Prospero and Hestia Brandeau were waiting. Around them were fountains, seating areas, and plants. That told Sondre that they were in California or the Southwest.
