In answer, Killian and Elyse stood. Sera, who had been sitting in the worn armchair, began loading books into her arms.
A short while later, they sat in the carriages as they ascended the hillside. Killian couldn’t help but feel confident, armed with purpose and—hopefully—answers.
29
Elyse
Trainingwas brutal the next day.
Not for Elyse. She was sweating, sure, but more from the summer heat than from exertion. But Killian and Manny, who were doing their best to defend themselves against her, were both drenched. They’d taken far more hits than they’d landed, and they were panting hard as they darted about, but they continued to give it all they had.
The three of them were on the lawn outside the estate’s gardens, the afternoon sun bearing down on them. Sera had declined to join them, opting instead to spend time with Camilla and their other sisters. Elyse didn’t blame her; she knew it had been months since Sera had seen her family, and she was willing to give her friend anything to see her happy again.
The day before, after returning from the library and hitting the books hard, Elyse had made them train again with theblindfolds, much to the men’s dismay. Today, though, they were given all their senses, and it was paying off.
Elyse dodged a stunning spell from Killian and transported herself behind him. Before her feet even landed, Killian whirled to face her and waved his hands to shoot off another spell. Elyse smiled. Killian was letting his magic guide him, leaning on that intuition. But she was still faster.
She deflected his spell with a shield of hard air and punched him in the gut.
As Killian doubled over, Elyse spun to face Manny, who had come up behind her. He flicked a stunning spell her way, and she shielded it, then returned her own. Manny ducked out of the way in time, then fired off two more spells at Elyse.
“Good!” Elyse called. She’d hardly gotten her shield up in time. He was improving well.
She transported herself again, this time to Manny’s left side. He didn’t see her coming. She smacked him upside the head, transported to his right, and hit him again.
“Fucking hell, Elyse!” Manny groaned as she disappeared again.
Killian had recovered by then and was eager for revenge. When she landed, this time in front of him, she was ready for his wrath.
Killian fired off three spells—one each at her chest, her knees, and her feet—but Elyse’s shield was firm. She moved the shield so that it faced behind her, protecting her back from Manny, and crushed her other hand into a fist.
Killian’s hands went to his throat as he gasped for air, air that Elyse was stealing with her magic. Red-faced and kneesbuckling, he glared at her. He lifted a hand and shot off a stunning spell.
Elyse transported out of the way, freeing Killian’s airway as she did so. He sucked in a breath dramatically, right as his stunning spell collided with Manny, who had been directly behind Elyse.
“Shit!” Killian wheezed as Manny collapsed to the ground. He immediately rushed to his friend, checking him for outward signs of injury.
Elyse wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand and strode over to where Manny lay on his back, arms crumpled beside him. “He didn’t hit his head or anything, did he?”
“I don’t think so,” Killian answered, voice still ragged.
Elyse peered down at Manny. “He should be fine, then. He’ll regain movement in a few minutes.” She tapped his boot with her own and added, “Happens to the best of us.”
She swore his eyebrows moved a fraction of an inch, like he was trying to glare at her.
Elyse suppressed a smile and turned to Killian. “You were able to sense my attacks,” she noted, pride swelling in her chest.
Killian nodded. “I hate to admit it, but that blindfold trick worked.”
“When will you learn that I’m always right?” she teased. Then more seriously, “Be aware of your surroundings, including your allies. One ricocheted spell could cost somebody their life.”
Killian nodded again but said nothing as he looked down at Manny.
“If we can find a way to weaken Lazarus,” Elyse continued, “then fighting him shouldn’t be much worse than fighting me.”
They hadn’t found anything useful in the books yet. Since there was no record of a corporeal demon ever existing, much of what was written was pure speculation. They’d already plowed through half of the “high priority” books, and by tomorrow they’d start in on the next batch—if needed. Despite her efforts to remain hopeful, Elyse’s confidence was waning quickly. Still, she put on a brave face for her friends.
Killian let out a sour laugh. “You just kicked our asses.”
