Ember pinched the bridge of her nose, her fatigue palpable. “How did Adrian capture you?”
Patrice sniffled. “I was at the bonfire, planning to take the first watch. When Ash… She caused a lot of commotion. He must’ve slipped in somehow, because when Chaos left with Ash, wind whipped around me. The next thing I knew, Adrian was dragging me through town, right to your doorstep. When he dropped me, I was barely coherent. Miles gave me a tonic and took me to the back bedroom.”
She looked at me, her eyes pleading. “I’m so sorry.”
“Who’s tending to the fire now?” I asked.
“Inga and Luis,” Miles said. “They’ll stay as long as they’re needed.”
“Good.” Now that Hecate wasn’t using my mom as a conduit to hold everything together, our fire ritual would shoulder some of the burden. At the very least, it would buy us a little time for everyone to recharge before our world turned to shreds.
Ember’s elbows thunked on the table, and she dropped her face into her hands. “Okay, next steps…?”
“We can’t mend the veil without Ash, and she’ll be out for another hour at least.” I glanced at the clock. “I suggest everyone get some rest while you can. It’s officially All Hallows’ Eve, and you know what happens at noon.”
“What happens at noon?” Discord asked.
“Twenty-four hours of terror,” Miles said.
“Tourists.” Shade rose and headed for the sofa, kicking off his boots before sprawling across it. “I could use a nap.”
“We all could.” Ember stood. “Miles, keep an eye on Patrice. One of you take the love seat; the other can have the recliner. We’ll reconvene in one hour.” She took Mayhem’s hand and led him down the hall.
I wasn’t the slightest bit tired, and the temptation to head to the clearing to try and heal the veil myself had Old Cinder chomping at the bit. But New Cinder knew better. We needed everyone present and rested to mend it. There was no other way.
“Come on,” I said to Discord. “Let’s give everyone some peace.”
We padded down the hall, and I paused outside my bedroom. Had it really been two months since I’d set foot inside? It felt like only yesterday that I’d written the letter to Ash and set off on my journey to Hell. Then again, after everything I’d been through…after everything she had been through…it also felt like years.
“Shall we loiter in the hall for an hour, or would you rather go inside?” Discord asked, his voice teasing.
I chuckled and crossed the threshold. He followed and closed the door. Most everything looked the same as I’d left it, neat and orderly, but a thin layer of dust coated my dresser, solidifying the fact I’d been missing for two months. Silver moonlight—the color moonlight should be—filtered through the sheer curtains, illuminating the room with a soft glow, and the faint scents of sage and rosemary—of home—floated in the air.
Discord rested his hands on my shoulders and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “What terror must we endure for twenty-four hours?”
I laughed and turned toward him. “It’s when the mass of tourists descends upon us.”
“Tourists?” He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
“Everybody wants to come to Salem for All Hallows’ Eve. The problem is…well, there are two problems: ours and the city’s. Salem is a small town. We don’t have room for the number of people who come here, so it gets congested and a little crazy.”
“That sounds like the city’s problem. What is yours?” He stroked the backs of his fingers down my cheek, and goosebumps rose on my arms.
“Noon is when the thinning really gets going. It reaches its peak at midnight and then slowly starts returning to normal, so we’re on high alert, making sure none of the little beasties from your realm sneak into ours.”
“And your ritual fire will strengthen the veil enough for us to stay here and delay?” He trailed his fingertips down my neck and across my shoulders. “It seemed impending when we were in Hell.”
“Apparently, time moves differently here.” I laughed dryly and ran my hands up his stomach, resting them against his chest. “It doesn’t feel nearly as volatile, does it?”
“It does not.” A slow smile tugged one corner of his mouth, and his gaze grew heavy with desire. He searched my eyes, but if he was waiting for me to tell him no, he’d be sorely disappointed.
My throat thickened as I clasped my hands behind his neck, and I swallowed the lump inside it. “This is our last hour alone. Once we head to the clearing, we’ll…” My breath hitched. “And then you’ll…”
“I suggest we make the most of it, then.” He held my face and crushed his mouth to mine, kissing me desperately.
I clung to him, tears welling in my eyes as I memorized the feel of his body pressed against mine, of his arms wrapped around me, protective and strong. His lips were soft and full, his movements purposeful, and as he slipped his tongue into my mouth, my knees nearly buckled.
He pulled back, sliding his fingers into my hair and looking at me, not like a predator ready to devour his prey, but like a prince about to worship his goddess.
