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“Hey,” she announced, rubbing her eyelids.

“Should you be awake?” Lucian asked, moving swiftly towards her.

“The bed was cold, and Mum kept tugging the quilt off me. I guess she wanted me to be part of this,” Maggie replied as Lucian wrapped her up in his arms. He summoned a blanket and tucked Maggie up in it.

“Let’s start a fire,” Lucian suggested, leading them from the kitchen. Melisandre said she’d refresh everyone’s coffees. Lucian sat Maggie in front of his fireplace and clicked his fingers. A roaring blaze appeared, and they crowded around it.

“For summer, the day is sure chilly,” Nicholas commented.

“No, I think the evil is affecting the temperature,” Maggie whispered.

“Do you need to rest?” Nicholas urged, exchanging worried glances with Lucian at how pale Maggie was.

“No, but I figured something out that’s making me feel physically sick,” Maggie replied and bit her lip.

“What, dove?” Lucian pried gently.

“Where did Margery store the energy she stole from the children?” Maggie asked, and Lucian sat back, surprised.

“I don’t know,” he finally responded.

“I do,” Maggie said firmly. Lucian waited until Maggie spoke. “Their souls or power are stored in that opal, but it’s not glowing like the picture. I think there’s a part missing. The piece that activates it. I can sense the energy coming from it, but it’s muted. Margery must have split it when you attacked her.”

“Maggie, I don’t remember,” Lucian said.

“You may never, but I know. I can feel there is another piece. We need to find it before Margery because if she reunites the two pieces, then she only needs to capture one child to complete the spell. Margery mustn’t be allowed to win,” Maggie responded, gazing at Lucian wide-eyed.

“No,” he murmured as he turned over Maggie’s words in his mind. There was no doubting that he believed Maggie was correct.

Chapter Eleven.

Lucian

“You’re not going!” both Nicholas and Lucian exclaimed.

Maggie and Melisandre crossed their arms and regarded the men with a raised eyebrow. Nicholas and Lucian exchanged concerned glances. They both knew what that meant.

“We may be married, but you are aware you don’t control me. I’m not a submissive woman from your era!” Melisandre snapped.

“You can’t stop me!” Maggie agreed, giving Lucian a ‘try it’ stare. Lucian opened his mouth and then shut it; Nicholas wasn’t so wise.

“So, you two plan to go off and rummage around the ruins of a witch’s home? Are you stupid?” Nicholas exploded at Melisandre. Lucian’s mouth dropped open as he shook his head. Maggie’s gaze widened, and then she quickly hid a grin as Melisandre’s eyes narrowed.

“Daft? Did you call me that when I solved your riddle and brought you back to life?”

“And then you fell under a spell!” Nicholas roared.

“Because, husband, I knew you’d figure it out. I had complete faith in you. However, that seems not to be reciprocated. Was it not me who led everyone to Emile? And then helped solve those puzzles? Let alone the rest of the riddles we faced. But yes, I am daft. And on that note, this idiot is going to take her sweet butt to the car and go investigate a witch’s house with Maggie. You may stay here and measure your dick against Lucians!” Lucian’s mouth dropped open at Melisandre’s crude words. “And while comparing sizes, you’ll be facing the spare room for a fortnight.”

“Melisandre…”

“No, Nicholas. You sit here and think about your behaviour!” Melisandre replied firmly. “Maggie, are you ready?”

Maggie glanced at Lucian, who was keeping his mouth shut.

“We’ll see you later,” Maggie said, dropping a kiss on Lucian’s mouth as a reward for staying quiet. Lucian beamed with happiness as the two women left the inn.

“You treacherous bastard! You didn’t back me up!” Nicholas roared.