Page 39 of Destined Dawn

“It’s fine,” he says. “They’re not going anywhere. There’s no escape – nowhere to go – and reinforcements will be here before nightfall.”

Azlan spins me around and marches me back to the house.

“Shouldn’t we take them out – stop them from calling for those reinforcements?” I hiss at Azlan before he shoves me through the door.

Azlan shakes his head. “It’s not possible. If they don’t check in, then reinforcements will come looking for them anyway. Either way, they’re coming and we’re leaving. Right now.”

14

Rhi

“Get your things,”Azlan says, marching towards the stairs and calling Stone’s name.

I hurry into the kitchen, the Cloudpuff still in my hand.

“What’s wrong?” Winnie asks, registering my face as she looks up from the table where she’s sitting on Trent’s lap, sipping tea.

“There’s someone here.”

“Who?”

“An enforcer and two others – magicals who work for Christopher Kennedy. They were looking for us.” Winnie leaps up from Trent’s lap, spilling most of her tea in the process. “It’s okay,” I tell her. “They can’t get through the shield, but they think they’ve found us. They’ve called in for reinforcements. Azlan says we have to leave.”

Winnie’s face pales and she standsdumbstruck.

“Winnie, the potion.”

“Is there time?” she says, glancing at the Cloudpuff in my fist.

“We’re going to have to make time.”

Winnie nods and turns to Trent.

“Will you pack up our stuff? I mean there isn’t much, just the–”

“I’m on it Winnie. You help Rhi.”

When he’s out of the kitchen, I ask Winnie if she told Trent what we were brewing.

“No, of course not and he didn’t pry.”

I smile at her. “He is the best.”

“Yep,” she says. “I know you have five extremely hot dudes and I only have one but mine is far better.”

“Hmmm,” I say and Winnie laughs, plucking the Cloudpuff from my hands and beginning to grate the stalks.

It’s only a few minutes later that I’m drinking another dose of the potion and everyone else is back in the kitchen.

“Where are we going?” Spencer asks when we’re all gathered.

Several of us speak at once.

I shake my head at all the suggestions. “We’re going to the Albany convent,” I say firmly.

“The Albany convent,” Tristan says, “are you crazy? We’re still sticking to that plan?”

“Of course, we are. Nothing’s changed. They’re still after us. Like they were yesterday. Like they are today.”