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I don’t hesitate. Running toward him, I throw myself in his arms, and he lifts me off the ground. I wrap my arms around his neck, my legs around his waist, and hold him tightly. His heart is pounding against my chest, and his fingers dig into my ass. I close my eyes and press my mouth against his neck. The fear I felt was not for me, but for him. I can’t imagine the helplessness he felt. My anger rises toward Griffon, Aria, and Granny. All of this could have been avoided. I understand that Aria wanted answers, but it’s going to take time to forgive her for stopping Archer from getting to me. Granny lied repeatedly our whole lives.

“Archer,” Rome says. “You need—”

“I know what I need,” he says roughly. “She’s in my arms.”

“Savy,” Aria whispers, and I tense.

“No,” Archer growls. “Stay away.” He slides his hand up my back and grips my neck. “Lace, will you drive us home?”

“Yes,” she replies.

“Rome, contain him.” Archer walks toward the door.

“Don’t worry. Take care of Savy,” Rome says.

“I need to explain,” Granny says quietly.

“I said not now,” Archer hisses and walks outside.

I hold him tightly, trusting him and Lace. Keeping my face pressed to his neck, I ignore everything but the need to go away, from the people I love most and the revelations that leave me in shock.

“Careful,” Lace mumbles as Archer gets in the backseat of her car.

“I got her.” He settles on the seat, but doesn’t release me. “Thanks.” The car door shuts, and Lace gets in the driver’s seat. “Get there fast.”

“I will.”

Turning my head, I press my cheek against his shoulder. I blink as I see the owl sitting on the headrest behind Lace. Nothing will surprise me anymore.

“Are you okay?” I ask, knowing Archer will soon feel the consequences of using his spell.

“No. I’m pissed,” he grumbles, rubbing my back. “I’m furious that he got close enough to touch you. He would have been dead the second after he showed up if I were beside you. Yet, he had enough time to deploy his spell. That’s on me.”

“Archer, no.” I ease away, placing my hands on his shoulders. “It wasn’t your fault.” I narrow my eyes. “Aria is to blame for stopping time.”

“Yeah, I’m not really happy with her either,” he grits out.

“I was in shock,” I whisper. “I forgot how to use my spells because of it. He was powerful and knew what I was going to do before I did. I should have—”

“Both of you need to stop blaming yourselves,” Lace says, taking a corner way too fast. “The whole thing was a shit situation. Griffon is a dick. Aria reacted emotionally.” She straightens the car. “And so did you. No one is to blame except Griffon. It was chaotic. We couldn’t predict how everyone would react.”

“What about Granny?” I ask, looking over my shoulder.

“Yeah, well.” She clucks. “She could have handled the situation better, and this could have been avoided altogether.”

The owl flutters his wings.

Silence descends, and I focus on Archer. His magic hovers around him. I lift my hands and brush my fingers under his eyes.

“You don’t have much time,” I whisper, and he grabs my hands, squeezing them.

“I don’t matter.” He presses his forehead to mine. “I’m sorry, baby.”

“What for?”

“Everything. I should have protected you better.” He leans back. “I can’t imagine what you're feeling.”

“I feel…” I frown. “The same, yet my life has been a lie. I should be crying, hysterical.”