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‘Damn right.’

‘A bit like Matilda,’ I added.

Connor’s smile faded as he looked towards my spare room. ‘How is Sidnee?’ His eyes were warm with concern.

I shrugged helplessly. ‘Not great. She’s not responding at all – she’s completely shut down. It’s hard to watch.’

He pulled me into his arms. ‘She’s been through a lot. She needs time and sleep. She’ll get through this, like all the rest of hertrials.’

Throat tight, I nodded. I didn’t realize I was crying for her until Connor tenderly wiped the tears from my face. ‘She’ll be okay,’ he murmured. ‘And Thomas is going to be okay. That man was born invincible.’ His tone was grudgingly admiring.

I appreciated his efforts but we both knew he was lying. Thomas was human, and if I’d been a betting girl I’d have bet that Chris had been lurking around Portlock for a while. Sidnee hadn’t been discreet at the party by declaring her love for Thomas for all and sundry to hear, and Chris was the jealous type. There was a reason he’d taken Thomas and it couldn’t be anything good.

Poor Sidnee. She needed time to process all of this, but she’d already had so much shit to deal with in her young life. She was stronger than anyone I knew, but there was a fragility that she kept hidden behind her sunny personality. She didn’t deserve this. Sometimes life was so damned unfair.

Connor must have sensed my dark thoughts because he brushed the hair back from my face. ‘She’s strong. She’ll pull through this and we’ll get Thomas back.’

I nodded. I had no idea how to start, but I had to remember that Thomas was a force to be reckoned with. He’d been in the MIB; although these dark forces had him now, he’d figure out how they worked and use it againstthem. I half-hoped he’d rescue himself before we had a chance to do so.

Until then, I would take care of Sidnee. She needed me to remind her what a strong, independent and amazing person she was. She had a steel core. She just needed to remember that.

Fluffy leaned against my legs and I bent down to scruffle his ears. I looked around for Shadow, but he was nowhere to be seen. ‘Damned cat,’ I mumbled and then, because I was unsettled and worried, Connor and I searched the house to make sure my lynx hadn’t sneaked out.

The last place I looked was Sidnee’s room – I should have started there. Shadow’s eyes reflected the light when I opened her door. He was at her head and she had a hand buried in his fur. Soft sobs were coming from her but her eyes were shut; she was asleep, crying in her dreams.

Shadow was the comfort she needed now. He laid his head back down and I heard his raspy purr as he poured out his heart to help heal hers. How had I ever thought, even for a moment, that he might grow up evil? I smiled at him and pulled the door almost closed so he could get in and out as he wanted. I had the best cat.

I pulled Connor back to the kitchen. ‘Shadow is helping Sid. I need to give him more credit. He’s usually driving me nuts, but this time he’s really helping.’

Connor flipped on the kettle and we settled onto the kitchen chairs.

Everything seemed surreal. I’d come back to Portlock from the academy, where I’d foiled an unnamed group that I now knew was the Knight Stalkers. I’d returned to multiple murders – and to foil the Knight Stalkers once again. I wished the fuckers would just get the damned message but it was becoming clear that they wouldn’t. The only way to end this, truly end it, was to take the fight to them.

I was done with being reactive; it was time to be proactive. And taking Thomas? That was just the spark that we needed to ignite the powder keg. I took a sip of my tea and looked at Connor. ‘If they want war, it’s time we gave it to them.’

A slow smile crossed his face. ‘Now you’re talking, Doe.’

‘I’m done talking,’ I said honestly. ‘Now I’m all about action.’

Connor smirked. ‘Yeah? I have some moves of my own.’ He winked.

I set my mug down. ‘Do you, now? Then show me what you’ve got, Connor MacKenzie.’

‘With pleasure.’