"Out of the question," he interrupts, a seriousness hardening his features. "You think the demons will stop if you die? They will find another way."
"But the portal – "
"If you believe the demons wouldn't take a Dwarven engineer captive and force him to create a new portal without needof your blood, then you underestimate our enemy." Thrane's statement chills me. "Or perhaps, they'll kidnap your precious Professor Riggs with his wealth of knowledge to discover a new way to release their master." He frowns, but there's a sadness in his gaze that chokes me. "You are the easiest solution to their problem, not their only one."
I swallow hard, biting back tears welling in my eyes. "What do we do now?" I sweep the room and sigh. "They're not going to stop, are they?"
Thrane shrugs. "They will tire eventually. Sometimes you have to let the children sort things out for themselves." He tilts his head, eyeing me. "Atlas will need to know what happened here tonight."
What he means is, Atlas will need to know about Astrea's suggestion to kill me for the greater good.
I bob my head, averting my eyes from his stare. "I will tell him."
"And do us all a favor, Aurelia, don't go wandering off by yourself," he grumbles. "You are not safe."
"You're just now realizing that?" I tease.
"We all knew you were not safe with enemies searching for you," his tone scares me. "But now you aren't safe amongst supposed allies. Keep your shadow wielder close. Now is not the time to let your guard down."
Keep your wits about you. The Delaney and Harland motto. I'll have no choice but to do just that.
Twenty - Nine
Shaye
Though I protest, Thrane and Ronan insist on escorting me back to the Harland House after dinner. The rest of the meal was explosive with no resolution and all the Hydran queen did was stare daggers at me.
We pull up to the rowhouse, and I climb to the door, dodging Ronan and Thrane's boots. Thrane grabs my wrist. "Tell Atlas everything or I will."
"Why do you think I won't tell him?" I furrow my brow.
"Because you're afraid Atlas will do something rash to protect you," he says simply and I despise my thoughts are so easy to decipher.
"I'm coming inside with you," Ronan informs me, sliding past me to help me out of the buggy.
"You don't have to do that, you know." Irritation spreads across my cheeks.
"I will see you tomorrow morning for training," Thrane calls out after us and then taps the ceiling of the carriage. It takes off down the street.
Ronan unlocks the front door and holds it open for me to glide inside. I can't wait to get out of this dress. It's beautiful and sparkles like the stars in the night sky, but I've gotten accustomed to wearing pants and being comfortable.
Despite the late hour, everyone is still awake and scattered around the living room. Have they've been waiting for me to come home?
Eris and Finn are snuggled together in one of the large armchairs. Finn's arm draped around Eris' waist, holding her close to him makes me smile. My entrance has interrupted Nyx's pacing and Atlas rises from the chair nearest the roaring fire and makes his way to me. Although, Nyx beats him to me and wraps me in his arms for a big, warm hug.
"It's about time, Kitarni," Nyx's familiar greeting swells in my chest. "Well," he pulls back and scratches his head. "Maybe I should start calling you Aurelia. It might get confusing."
"Not to me," I grin up at him. "It's a nickname. And I like nicknames."
"I'm glad you're back in one piece," Atlas' voice pulls me to him like a magnet. "Seems the leaders didn't get the better of you."
I toss a look over my shoulder at Ronan. He closes the door with a scowl.
"For now," Ronan growls.
"What?" Atlas asks, a seriousness washing over him. "What happened?"
I press my palm to his chest to calm him. For a split second, I consider omitting the part of Astrea Talay wanting me to be offered up like some sacrificial lamb, but then I remember if I don't Ronan and Thrane will. That would be far worse for him to find out from one of them.
