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“Yes,” I heard myself say, “I trust you.”

The determination in her eyes shone brighter. “I’ll see you in the hall of statues.” She hesitated, then went on her tiptoes and kissed my cheek. “Now,” she whispered.

I landed in my body slumped on my knees in the middle of the floor. The room was empty. I lifted my head and looked at the door.

I didn’t know what Given had planned, but I was ready to get the fuck out of Vai Seren.

Chapter Seventeen

GIVEN

Sweat stung my eyes as I crouched behind the pedestal that once held Queen Vara’s statue.

My great-great-grandmother. Probably, there were several more greats in there, but it didn’t matter. The line between us was long but unbroken. I’d seen the blood that connected us in the snow.

I wasn’t just an elven-born. I was Avenor’s direct descendant. He’d told Vara the door he opened would remain that way until she and their child returned. I had to believe I’d seen that vision for a reason. I had to believe the door was still open, and that Varick and I could use it.

Just as soon as he showed up.

Sweat trickled down my forehead and into my eyebrow, tickling the skin underneath. I didn’t dare wipe it away. I stayed perfectly still, my tattered gown puddled around me and my breath sawing in and out of my chest. The corridor outside my chamber had been quiet, but sounds of revelry had drifted from the direction of the Great Hall.

I didn’t allow myself to wonder what Midian and the others were doing. I didn’t care, just as long as they stayed far away. But maybe they hadn’t left Varick unguarded. As worry gnawed at me, my heart rate picked up. What if Varick couldn’t leave his room? I wasn’t sure we’d get another chance to use the door. And if Midian pulled the vision of Avenor speaking about it from my head, he would make sure I never ventured near it again.

A hand covered my mouth from behind. Before I could scream, Varick’s voice rasped in my ear. “It’s me.”

I turned as he lifted his hand, and then I was shaking in his arms. “I worried you weren’t coming,” I whispered.

He eased back enough to look at me. Weary golden eyes gleamed with faint humor. “Just doing a little last-minute packing.” He glanced around. “Where’s this door?”

“This way.” I grabbed his hand and led him to the spot where Avenor had spoken in that strange, powerful tongue. The wall was blackened with soot and blocked by debris and chunks of marble from the statues. Varick and I cleared it, our breathing quickly growing labored. My head swam, and my muscles screamed from the effort. Just as I began to think I’d been mistaken, the wall moved inward.

Varick and I looked at each other. He stepped forward and pushed hard. Stone scraped stone, and the section of wall swung wide, revealing a tunnel covered in cobwebs.

He motioned me in. “Come on, sweetheart.”

A deep growl had us both spinning around. The demon Midian had punished for entering my room stood a short distance away, his noble features dripping with contempt.

“You,” he said, pointing at me. “I told him you were dangerous. His plan could destroy us. Better to kill you than take the risk.”

“What plan, Arrol?” I asked, stepping around Varick.

The demon hissed. For a moment, his elven features contorted in rage, and I didn’t think it was illusion. “You don’t use my name.”

Varick caught at my arm, but I darted away before he could grab me and force me behind him. “Why shouldn’t I use your name, Arrol? Does it hurt you?”

He craned his neck, the movement exaggerated and unnatural. “They called us,” he panted. “They called us, and Midian wanted to come.”

Varick moved around me in a blur. Fangs bared, he rushed Arrol.

The demon staggered back, then caught himself and waved a hand. Varick staggered to a stop. He spun and swung a fist through the air.

“Given!” he shouted. He spun and swung again. “There are too many! Get to the tunnel!”

It was an illusion. I darted a look between Varick and Arrol. The demon was smiling, his eyes narrowed as he watched Varick fight invisible opponents.

Frustration pounded through me. If I got too close to Varick, he could knock me out with a single blow, and then we’d both be at Arrol’s mercy. But we’d made a lot of noise. Any second, more demons were going to appear. I had no hope of fighting them.

I cupped my hands around my mouth. “Arrol!”