Mine to Fear (Mine #3)(7)
“Are you two well?” he asks us after finally letting Cynthia out of the hug but still keeping an arm around her.
I wait for Tawny to nod before saying, “We're fine. What happened?”
“I don't know,” Cynthia says. “Things seemed to be going well and were safe, but this morning while Lukas and I were on our way back from a walk, we saw several law officers go in the house. We hid in the trees but never saw them come out. And…”
“There was screaming,” Lukas finishes for her, his voice hushed.
Pain shoots through me. “But George has been working with us for years.”
“They are determined to have me,” Cynthia says. “I showed everyone what women can do with magic, and they want to annihilate that.”
Determination fills me. “They can try, but they won't succeed.”
“No, they won't. There have been a few other girls who have run away from home. I'm going to try and find them.”
“That sounds like a good plan. Do you need help?” I ask, excited there is a chance for me to do something.
“I think it'd be best if Lukas and I keep the search group small.”
“I should really move on anyway.” Though I long for a way to do more.
“Go to Serena,” Cynthia says.
“Thank you.”
If only Serena's family situation weren't so fragile. If only her stupid father wasn't around so I could go directly to the girls. Better yet, if only I could spell his lights out. “I just don't know if we can get there safely now without the male chaperone our contact was supposed to provide.”
“I can take you and catch up with Cynthia later,” Lukas says.
“Haven't they been coming down on foreigners?”
“Yes, but we're not completely banned. It will be less hassle for me to be caught than you.”
“He's right,” Cynthia says, though I can tell it makes her nervous by the way she twists her hands together. “Take him with you. Please give my love to Serena.” Her voice aches with longing.
“Of course I will.” I give her a tight hug. “I hope to see you soon.”
She hugs Lukas. “Come back to me.”
“You know I will,” he replies.
They kiss, fierce and loving. I turn away to give them privacy. At least someone understands what love is.
Chapter Five
Looking at the house Serena's staying in, I'm grateful for the choice to come here instead of Zade's, even if it meant taking longer to get here. Lukas got us here safely, so hopefully he can return the same way. And now I'm not only where I need to be, but I don't have to face Zade's wrath quite yet. Unless he's visiting Serena.
I gulp past the thought, even though it's highly likely, especially the way things have been going since our arrival. When Zade and Chadwick find out I'm not only here, but I've brought Tawny with me, there will be two very angry warlocks.
At least, I assume there'll be two. Perhaps it will be only my brother and not the man everyone expects me to marry. It's been so long since I've heard from Chadwick. Maybe he doesn't care where I am. Maybe he's so wrapped up in the reason he left Envado in the first place to help the Chardonian people that I'm only a distant memory. I don't know if the thought is for better or worse. Whichever it is, I have to find him and deliver the message from my father in person.
They'll soon know we're here, if they don't already. Warlocks are visibly guarding the house, not even trying to hide like when I left. Have things gotten worse here as well?
“Let's go see Serena.”
Tawny follows me and Lukas up the walkway. “Does she know I'm coming?”
More trouble. “I told her someone was joining me.”
“But she doesn't know who I am.”
“I told her your name,” I hedge.
She gives me a look. “But not who I am.”
“Fine. I didn't tell her of your previous relationship with Zade.” I eye Lukas, knowing I can trust him, but it's probably best to keep her identity from being spread around even with those we trust. “Or anything else.”
Her entire posture takes on a regal bearing. “She needs to know. About me and Zade at least.”
At least she agrees about keeping her royalty status under wraps, even if it's clear just by the way she acts. “I know. Only there are more pressing things happening than just relationships.” And it makes me feel like the worst friend for keeping their former engagement a secret. Why am I doing this?
“True. It's not as if I'm here to steal Zade.”
Lukas gives her a sharp look. She'd better not be. As much as she's a friend to me, and possibly even my future queen, I won't let anyone put Serena through more grief.
Before I can reply, the door bursts open, and Serena’s coming to me with a big grin on her face. “I can't believe you're here! I didn't know if I would ever see you again.”
“It was only a little over a week.” But I hug her tight anyway like it's been years.
“Let's get inside,” she says when I let her go, eying Tawny.
She ushers the three of us in quickly, looking around as if there's something to fear. If I hadn't already known things were getting worse, this would confirm it. When she closes the door behind us and bolts it, her entire body eases.