A mix of adrenaline, fury and incredible sadness at the state of our world makes my whole body shake.
Leaning over Wes, I brush my lips against his cold cheek and whisper into his mind.
A minute later, Alexis comes rushing in. “Pulu,we have to go.”
I don’t argue, just grab my bag and follow him. “I need to see Ludo.”
“No, with the Harts on campus, security has just been doubled. Come upstairs.”
I wrench my elbow from where he’s holding it. “I. Need. To. See. Ludo. This isn’t up for discussion.” Turning heel, I march to the basement door.
No guards in sight.
I quickly run down the stairs. “Theo!” Alexis hisses after me. “Please.”
“I’ll be OK. Go back to your duties. Don’t give them a reason to think anything is abnormal.”
“Pulu,” he croaks.
I spin and pin him with a stare. “I love you, Alexis, but I need Lu. I’ll explain later.”
With a groan he leaves, closing the basement door behind him.
—I’m coming into the tunnels—I tell Lu.
—Is that wise? Is it safe—
Probably not.
But there is nothing in the world I need more than Ludo’s arms around me.
—I’ll see you soon—
???
Ludo cradles me in an embrace that feels like the foundation of existence; solid, steady, permanent and perfect.
—Nymph—
“Let’s go back to your room, Lu. If the worst happens and they discover I’m missing, I’ll just have to stay down here with you forever, and that’s not a terrible future at all.”
—You joke—
“Yes and no.”
I take his hand as we walk side by side along the tunnel system. “I don’t want to have to flee until everything has been taken care of, but if I had to spend an eternity hidden away? Having you with me would make it…a dream.”
—It’s strange to consider being part of a dream and not a nightmare—
Nightmare. This world is a living nightmare. My mind suddenly spins out of control. The danger, the evil…the hideousness of it all.
Sobs erupt from my body and my knees give out.
—Nymph, Nymph, I’m here…I…I love you…please—
I cling to him but cannot get a hold on my emotions.
“It’s all so awful, Lu. I can’t stand it. Don’t leave me again, I can’t bear it—
