Dallin left them there and rushed to his office.He changed into his work clothes because they’d be more comfortable in a fight, and even though he was tempted to grab some of his books and frantically read them to send more spells to memory, he didn’t.He already knew everything he could learn.
Almost everyone was already there when he got to the courtyard.Sol had changed, too, and he made a beeline for him when he saw him.He looked twitchy.
“You didn’t tell me you were leaving the dining room,” he said when he reached Dallin.
“I didn’t think I needed to tell you.I just wanted to change.”
Sol looked Dallin up and down.“Maybe don’t disappear on me, all right?I thought I’d failed at my job before I even started.”
Dallin gently touched Sol’s hand.“I’m sorry.I didn’t think anything of it.You were talking to Parker and Bennett, and I didn’t think you’d even notice I was gone.”
Sol caught Dallin’s hand and linked her fingers together.“Of course I noticed.I notice everything about you.”
Dallin wasn’t sure that was true, but he wanted to believe it.Before he could promise he’d warn Sol next time, Jarvis cleared his throat, getting everyone’s attention.The tension increased.This was it.If Carlyle was still at the house, they were about to face him.
“Graham told us there are several spells over the forest and the house, so Dallin, we’ll need you to step in as soon as we arrive.Sol, are you feeling up to keeping an eye on him?”
Sol looked confused but nodded.They hadn’t talked about Dallin’s specialty yet, but they should have.It wasn’t as flashy as opening portals or finding people, but neutralizing magic and spells was useful.It was Dallin who’d taken care of the fire Carlyle had started intheir forest recently.Without his specialty, it would’ve been more complicated and much longer to kill the spell that had kept the fire burning.
“We’ll help if we need to,” Bennett said.“We’re family.We fight together, and we protect our mages together.”
Tyne snorted.Dallin glared at him.At least Tyne looked bashful.He knew he was being an asshole, and while that wouldn’t change, he’d probably stop being so open about it.He might not care about Meyer, but he did care about the mages.Theywerehis family, no matter how much of an asshole Tyne was.
Jarvis opened a portal.Dallin was anxious, but he didn’t actually think they would find Carlyle.He wouldn’t be surprised if they found traps, though, so he was careful as he crossed through.
They’d been here before when they’d come to rescue Sol.Nothing had changed.The only thing Dallin could see was trees, and there were no signs of a house, even though he knew one was there,
“This is as close as I could get us to the house,” Jarvis explained once they were all gathered on this side of the portal.“I didn’t want to risk triggering anything.Dallin?”
Dallin looked around.To neutralize a spell, he had to find it first, and he’d become an expert at that.At first look, there was nothing here other than trees and nature.Dallin could see the light shimmering of a spell, though.
It took him a moment, but he found the object in which the spell was anchored—a rock.He touched it and focused, smiling when the spell petered out.They were still in a forest, but when he straightened, he could see ahouse in the distance.
It wasn’t far, but they had to be careful because Graham had mentioned traps and more spells.He hadn’t been able to say more because Carlyle hadn’t trusted him and he wasn’t a mage, but Dallin could do this.
It took them almost twenty minutes to reach the house.Dallin had to neutralize five spells, including one that would’ve made someone’s head explode if they’d walked through it.He was glad he’d noticed that one.The cleanup would have been hell.Carlyle had been smart because he’d placed the spells in objects that no one would think twice about—rocks, a pine cone, and even a leaf.
“I’m pretty sure the place is empty,” Tyne grumbled as he stared at the house.It was right in front of them now.They just needed to step forward and open the door, and they’d be in.
“We still need to look through it,” Jarvis said.“Stay close to your dragons, and scream if you need anything.”
Dallin wasn’t sure that screaming was a good idea because everyone would freak out, but he nodded along with the others and watched them as they scattered.He and Sol exchanged a glance, and then, they were off.
This was going to be a long day.
* * * *
SOL WAS SURPRISED TOsee how naturally protecting Dallin came to him.He had no idea what he was doing, but his dragon seemed to remember what being a shield meant.
He stuck to Dallin’s side, moving ahead when they had to open a door or glance around the corner, but he let Dallin do his thing the rest of the time.Sol had never felt stronger, and he liked it.He liked knowing that he was protecting Dallin.It made the bond sing between them, and he couldn’t wait for this mess to be over so they could explore it without the feeling of impending doom.
“You could wait outside,” Dallin offered as they stepped into a kitchen.
Sol remembered the place since he’d walked through the kitchen to leave the house, so maybe he’d tensed or had made a face that Dallin had been able to read.He was trying to look out for Sol, even though right now, it was Sol’s job to look out for him.
“I’m fine,” Sol reassured him.
“Are you sure?Being back here can’t be easy.”
