I don’t know,I confessed. He’d been too far away to get anything more than impressions. But he’d felt—like I knew him.
He sensed your energy,Talakai said.
And suddenly, Sebastian was in my head.
Anna. Forget about me. You have to get to Galeran.
We have a plan, Sebastian, to achieve both.
It is too late for me.I sensed his exhaustion, followed by a glimpse of tubes running from his veins.
No! We are coming for you. Or rather, Matt is. So hang in there.
Forget—
SEBASTIAN.I roared his name, pulsing power through the link.YOU WILL HOLD ON.
Silence. Then,You be a remarkably pushy female. But shouting in here, mentally or otherwise, isn’t the best idea.
Then don’t make me do it,I scolded.
I have to go. The coven members be back. Tread with care, Anna.
And he was gone.
Lucas had been watching my eyes, and said, “So what now?”
“Follow the coven,”I whispered to Matt and Maddy. “They’ll lead you to Sebastian.”
“What are you going to do?” Matt asked.
“We are following Isobel.”
“Of bloody course you are.” He sounded desperate. His energy was surging wildly.Please don’t get yourself killed.To the Dragon, he said,Don’t let her get herself killed.
Very well,Talakai replied.
I bloody well mean it,Matt insisted.
So do I,the Dragon countered.
Worry about yourself,I told Matt. I turned to Maddy. “You have three coven members to hide from while getting Sebastian the hell out of there. They might sense you even if they can’t see you. I’m hoping the sheer amount of bloodpower will confuse them.”
Matt’s eyes flared metallic green and gold, and then he grabbed me, and kissed me. I pushed at him to get him to let go.
Stay away from cliffs, Angel.
I fully intend to.
* * *
Isobel had vanished.
The courtyard was full of mercenaries and loaded Trantils awaiting their turn at the gate. Lucas and I kept our cloak hoods pulled high as we followed Talakai. He slipped like a dancer through the crowd, and even though he towered over most, everything about him—his posture, his movements—blended with those around him.
I strove to copy him as we made our way to the tunnel Isobel had vanished down. Even Trix wasn’t attracting any attention, with the other critters roaming the courtyard. A couple that appeared distinctly canine fell in behind us, tracking me.
I breathed a sigh of relief when we reached the tunnel. Talakai took us straight down the center of it as though we belonged there. But then it split into three, and he hesitated.
