Layla smiles sadly. “I only want to be outside.”
“Swear it,” I stress. “If we are to rescue you, you cannot kill one of the men in our group.” I can’t risk her killing Mal, Reid, Kaden or any of the guards. “Swear it.”
She holds a hand to her chest. “OnNylxa'suniverse, I will not kill.”
Looking at Mal, I shrug. “That’s the best we’ve got, Mal. We can’t leave her.”
I refuse to let Aoife harm anyone else. This woman needs help.
Leaving her room, we stick close to the wall, going back through the servant’s passageways. We climb higher. We inspect two more halls, full of doors, unable to find either Fee or Reid.
Aggravation wells inside me. Where are they? Why can’t we find them?
I fight the urge to scream frustrated with everything. It wouldn’t help. I push the rage into a ball in my gut and breathe. I can bank this feeling and use it against Aoife.
Layla tilts her head, staring at me. Shifting, I avoid her eyes, glaring across the hall.
“You feel much.”
Swallowing, I nod. “I do.”
“It’s best not to ignore them.” She pats her belly. “Your magic feeds off of it. It will consume you if you’re not careful.”
“I won’t be holding on to it for long.” Not if I have my chance. “You’ve met many blood summoners before?”
She smiles tiredly. “EnyoandNylxahave always been friendly.”
Layla turns her head, looking at an expanse of golden wall. A picture sits there, a range of what I can assume is the Summus Mountains. The grey clouds are thick, the night sky hidden behind the peak. A moon hides further behind it, the light obstructed.
“If you’re looking for your friends, you should try there.”
“Where?” Mal wipes his brow. “There is nothing there. Just a painting.”
Walking close, she touches the frame, her finger falling through it. The wall ripples and my eyes widen.Magic. Aoife used magic to conceal the door.
“Follow me,” she says, stepping through the glided wall.
