“I hope so,” was all Ty said, feeling the pressure of his position more acutely than ever as he turned and left the Archives.
***
After tending to the last few necessary preparations, Ty returned to his room to find Steig and Turner already waiting inside with Lara and Ena.
They turned to him as he entered, but it was clear from the readiness in their faces that they’d already guessed why he’d summoned them.
“Thanks for coming so quickly,” he said to his friends, avoiding looking at Ena where she sat on the bed. He couldn’t handle that right now. “I couldn’t explain in my message, but you’ve probably already guessed. It’s time for us to leave.”
“What did Cole say?” Steig asked, his dark brow furrowed as he crossed his arms.
“He’s suspicious. He doesn’t exactly know about the amulet, but he thinks I’m somehow using Ena to make a play for the throne.”
“Paranoid bastard,” Turner muttered, rolling his eyes. “Though I guess he’s notthatparanoid,” he added, rubbing his chin. “Wearetrying to quietly overthrow him, just not that way.”
“Exactly,” Ty replied. “He’s too close to the truth. That’s why it’s not safe for us here anymore, especially not for Ena.” He’d been working hard to avoid looking at her and to keep his voice strong and steady, but he locked eyes with her now.
Her color had returned slightly, most likely thanks to the broth, but he didn’t let his eyes linger on her injuries. Every second they did made him want to flay the skin from his own body just to dull the pain and regret inside him.
“Luckily, Ena figured out the remaining parts of the binding spell, so all we have to do now is recruit a witch from Aquilo and Occidens to do the spell, and we can reverse it.”
“What? Really?” Lara asked, her voice turning hopeful as she looked at Ena. “You figured it out?”
Ena nodded in affirmation, a small proud smile on her face.
“I don’t believe it,” Lara said, smiling in relief and looking at Ty with awe. “You’re actually going to break the bond.”
“Yes,” Ty assured her. “And that’s exactly why Ena and I need to leave as soon as possible, preferably tonight if she can handle it. But I know it’s sudden, and unsanctioned, so I won’t ask any of you to come. Things will be complicated with Cole after this, so—”
“You can stop your little martyr speech right there, you fucker. I’m coming with you,” Turner said, holding up his hand to stop Ty from speaking.
“Turner, are you sure?” Ty asked. “There will be repercussions for leaving the Underworld without his permission.”
“Nope, don’t care. Where else should your shadow be but by your side?” Turner asked, grinning teasingly.
Despite everything that had happened, Ty smiled, and a small warmth spread through him. He clapped his cousin on the shoulder, unable to adequately express the relief and gratitude he felt knowing he and Ena wouldn’t be alone in this. That he’d have his friend by his side too.
“Thank you, brother,” he said solemnly.
Then his eyes landed on Steig.
The man had been his best friend for almost twenty years; he could read him like a book. Underneath his grumpy and gruff exterior, the man was soft. He felt everything—too much sometimes—and right now, Ty could tell he felt conflicted as hell.
Steig looked over at Lara, who grabbed his hand and squeezed it before bringing it to her lips for a kiss. “It’s okay, Steig,” she said quietly, sadly. “We’ll be fine.”
He shook his head. “No, no,” he said, turning to Ty. “Ty, I’m sorry. You know I wish I could go with you, but I can’t leave my family. Not again. And as much as I want you to succeed, someone needs to be here. To protect those you’re leaving behind.”
Ty could hear the strain in his voice and see the conflict on his face. The two of them had always done everything together, for as long as he could remember. But as much as he wanted his best friend by his side, the man was right. Those they were leaving behind, like Lara and the kids, Nial, Myka—anyone who was loyal to Ty—were vulnerable to Cole, and someone needed to stay behind to protect them.
He looked his friend in the eye as he grasped his shoulder firmly. “I understand, Steig. That’s the right call.”
Steig looked relieved and grasped him back, pulling him into a hug. The two of them embraced, and Ty tried not to think about what this meant—that he was saying goodbye and didn’t know when he’d be able to return. He clasped his friend harder to him—hoping he knew without words what he meant to him, and how hard it was to part ways.
When they finally released each other, Ty turned to Lara.
“Keep each other and the kids safe, okay?”
Lara nodded and gave him a reassuring smile before grasping her husband’s hand once more. If there was anyone Ty trusted to see through Cole’s manipulations and keep him in check, it was Lara. She’d been dealing with the bastard her whole life.
