I sat bolt upright. Stop this nonsense. Focus on finding Ada.
Rising, I shook all thoughts of Rowan from my mind. I had work to do, and that didn’t involve contemplating kisses. Closing my eyes, I reached out with my mage awareness, searching for magick nearby. Instantly, power careened through my body, ready to be released as a spell. I focused energy into my left hand, making my bones glow bright blue. After that, I whispered the words to my spell and set my power free.
An azure-colored mist rolled out across the floor. The thick blue haze quickly wrapped around me, the tendrils of smoke turning thick as a blanket. Once the haze disappeared, my spell was complete. I expected to be standing in a dungeon hallway, just as I always had before.
Instead, I was brought into a large stone chamber lit by torches. Rusted chains hung along the walls. The musty scent of dust filled the air. A long wooden table sat against the opposite wall. Something or someone lay on the tabletop. It was hard to see for certain since a small group of Fantomes surrounded it.
What was on that table? The question pulled at my thoughts. I shifted about, anxious for a better look. The Fantomes always blocked my view though. All I could see was their black robes. Every so often, one of them would shift their arms, making their loose garments sway with the movement.
I frowned. Why would my spell have brought me here? My interest kept being drawn to the tabletop. I took a step forward, and all the mages paused. Moving in unison, they all shifted to stare in my direction. Their hoods were drawn low over their faces. I couldn’t tell if they actually saw me or just sensed magick in the room.
I froze midstep, barely able to breathe. My heart hammered against my rib cage.
Please don’t let them see me.
The seconds passed slowly. A murmur echoed through the air. I couldn’t tell all that was said, but I heard the words “trick of the mind.” At last, the mages all turned back to face whatever was on the tabletop. They couldn’t see me. I heaved out a relieved breath.
Thank the Sire.
I stood on tiptoe, desperate for a better view of whatever the mages were doing. Part of me wanted to sprint across the room. However, the Fantomes had almost detected me when I’d been standing still. Moving closer—or even moving too much at all—was certain to expose my presence. Besides, this spell was getting trickier to cast by the second. It was taking almost all my focus to simply remain in this room.
A low moan echoed through the air. A jolt of fear moved down my spine. I’d have known that voice anywhere. It had been haunting me for weeks.
Ada.
The Fantomes erupted into a flurry of movement. Something sharp and shiny flashed in one of their hands. Was it a knife? Ada screamed in pain. The sound tore through my soul. Another mage raised his arm. His long pale fingertips dripped with blood.
Ada’s blood.
Suddenly, my concentration fell apart. Magick poured out of my body like water through a sieve.
No, no, no!
I wanted to stay and see Ada. I tried to refocus my mind, but there was nothing I could do. The next thing I knew, I had returned to my room in the tavern. Alarm rushed through my limbs. I paced the floor.
Focus, Elea.
There was nothing more to be done now. Worrying wouldn’t help me find Ada and the others. Searching the Havilland mansion would. There was a lot of work to complete before tomorrow. After taking in a few calming breaths, I began casting the protection spells I would need for the visit to the Havilland mansion. the same thoughts kept circling my mind like they were on a repeater spell.
Ada might be there.
In just a matter of hours, I might see her.
Whatever it took, no matter what the cost, I knew one thing.
I would find that child or die trying.
Chapter Eight
It was early morning when I stepped up to Amelia’s front gate. Clothilde was already waiting for me in the courtyard beyond. Once again, her blonde hair was pulled back into a tight bun. As I approached, her mouth thinned. Clearly, she was not happy to see me. “You’re here to prepare for a visit to the Havilland estate, I suppose.”
“I am.”
She slowly swung the gate open, glaring at me the entire while. “I don’t like you endangering my Lady.”
I matched her glare with one of my own. “I don’t like you questioning her decisions.”
She slammed the gate shut with extra force. “I’ll show you to her rooms.” Without another word, she marched up to the front door of the so-called cottage. I followed.