My head spun. I considered—briefly, wildly—jumping off that damned horse and vanishing into the mist. But Emrysmust have sensed my intention. His grip tightened, firm and possessive, pressing me back against his chest.
“And after you get it back?” I whispered.
“Then you’re free to go wherever you want.” His voice dipped lower, darker. “And I’ll pay Cagliostro a visit. We have old scores to settle.”
I fidgeted again, testing him.
“Don’t,” he warned. His tone reminded me of the blood-soaked creature I’d seen incinerating dozens of Hollowborn.
“Why France?” I asked, stalling. If I could get him talking—maybe I’d find a chance to slip away later. I needed one moment of distraction.
He hesitated as if deciding how much to tell me.
“There’s a Surge coming. Like a volcano eruption—but of raw magic. One of the largest in decades. It’ll happen in Paris. If we reach the Crossroads in time, I can restore what was taken.”
“The Crossroads,” I murmured. “It’s where the ley lines intersect?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “So you remember your mission after all. Yes. My kind calls it a Crossroads. The Surge will peak in two days. If we get there on time, I’ll get what is mine. Then you’ll be free.”
I glanced at him. He wasn’t joking. This madman really meant to drag me to Paris.
All things considered, it wasn’t the worst idea. Paris was closer to Italy. And with him, I might be safer than on my own. I carried part of his power—maybe not out of kindness, but out of self-interest, he’d protect me from the Unbidden. “If you think that finding any information about the Crossroads and the eruption timetables would have saved your life and brought you freedom, you’re beyond naïve, Miss Daphne. You have no idea what the Renegade is,” he said.
Anger stirred in my chest. All these men. Locking me up. Using me as a pawn. Then, laughing when I fought back.
I’d had enough.
Without thinking, I drove my heels hard into the horse’s sides.
The animal reared up. Emrys held tight, but his grip around me slipped just long enough. I tumbled into the wet grass with a grunt.
I scrambled to my feet, skirt heavy with dew, and bolted into the thicket. Fog wrapped around the trees like rags. My pulse hammered in my throat. I didn’t know where I was going—only that I had to get away.
Then something massive fell from the sky.
Knocked the breath from me. Pinned me to the forest floor.
Not something.
Someone.
The scent of blood, smoke and magic filled my lungs. Steely fingers closed around my wrists, pinning them above my head. I froze—staring into Emrys’s glowing silver eyes.
Dark wings arched behind him, blotting out the stars. His laughter spilled into the night, velvety and low.
I should have screamed.
But I didn’t.
“What part ofstay closedid you not understand, Miss Daphne?” he asked, amused.
His face was inches from mine. My eyes registered the dimple in his right cheek and the dark stubble on his jaw. Every nerve in my body screamed at the closeness.
Fear, yes.
But something worse.
Desire.
