Perhaps I’d sensed he might be different after his turning and I just wanted to get them off my chest while he was still the Ben I knew.

Whatever the case, as we neared the forest on our journey back toward the residences, I’d slipped my hands into his and pulled him to a stop.

But then when I’d opened my mouth to speak, a paralyzing fear took hold of me.

My throat felt parched and I just couldn’t spit the words out.

I had no choice but to clumsily change the subject and let go of him as we continued walking.

But even though I hadn’t managed to express myself, something about the way Ben had looked at me told me that he suspected what I was about to say.

The way I’d touched him, and the way my cheeks had flushed—it would have been obvious to anyone.

Ben wasn’t one to shy away from subjects with me, so the fact that he didn’t step up and say something made me believe he didn’t feel what I felt for him.

He didn’t take it as a cue to admit his own feelings for me, as I’d hoped he might.

He didn’t put his arm around me and draw me closer to him, walking back through the woods as lovers might.

He allowed us to continue walking back home as the close friends we’d become.

By the time I arrived back at my treehouse, I found myself feeling glad I hadn’t spoken the words out loud.

Because now I was sure that they would have made Ben feel uncomfortable.

It was just as well I’d choked up.

I’d probably made him feel awkward enough as it was… “Do you hear that?” Erik’s voice broke through my thoughts as he squeezed my hand.

“Someone’s coming up the stairs.” Footsteps ascended the staircase a dozen feet away.

Erik tugged on me and we sped back to Mona’s front door, careful not to make a sound.

I glanced back at the staircase to see a man emerging from it—the same blond warlock who’d escorted Mona up here earlier.

Erik and I flattened ourselves against the wall as he passed by us and stopped outside Mona’s door.

He knocked loudly three times.

The door opened and the same witch I’d seen earlier appeared—based on her dress, I could only assume she was a maid.

“I’m here for Mona,” the warlock said.

The maid disappeared back into the apartment, calling, “Mona, Coen’s back for you.” Mona appeared at the door a few moments later.

Her long blonde hair trailed down her back and she wore a flowing white summer dress that perfectly complemented her tan skin.

She looked more alive than when we’d seen her a few hours ago.

The second she stepped out into the corridor, Erik pulled me forward without warning.

We managed to slip into the apartment just in time before the witch closed the door behind her.

We stood motionless, barely daring to breathe as the footsteps disappeared down the corridor.

I cast my eyes around the lavish apartment, looking for the maid.

I could hear pots clanging in a kitchen some doors away.

For now, it seemed, she was occupied.

“We should find somewhere to hide until Mona returns,” I breathed.

We padded from room to room until we reached what was obviously the master bedroom.

A dressing gown lay on the bed, and there were various items scattered on the dressing table.

Erik led me over to the corner of the room where there was a large closet.

He pulled open the doors.

It was filled with gowns, but there was still just enough room for both Erik and me to sit.

I stepped inside first and Erik followed after me, closing the doors softly behind us.

There was a narrow keyhole that each of us could take turns looking through, but for the most part, our hearing would be enough to sense movement in the room.

I let out a sigh and muttered, “At least now we’re one step closer to getting her alone.”

Chapter 30: Rhys

Arielle went to pay a visit to Lilith on my behalf to inform her that our journey to The Shade had to be delayed.

I would have gone myself, but my sisters convinced me that I would serve Lilith better if I remained in bed and used the time to recover.

When Arielle returned from the visit, she had a wide gash across her cheek that even Julisse had trouble healing.

Clearly, Lilith hadn’t taken the news kindly.

The wait for my aunt to return with a fresh supply of mer-fin was perhaps the most agonizing of my life.

Every time my door clicked open, my eyes shot up and I kept hoping it would be Isolde walking through the door, clutching a jar of aquamarine scales.

When my aunt finally returned, I ushered her into her potion room.

I waited with her while she brewed the antidote, breathing down her neck and assisting her any way I could to speed up the process.

Once the potion had turned a maroon color, she poured a goblet for me and handed it to me.

I downed it instantly, even though it scorched my throat.

“Pour me another,” I said.

She raised a brow.

“Rhys, it can be dangerous to take more than one dose within an hour.” “I’m willing to take the risk,” I said, brushing her aside and filling the goblet up a second time myself.

I took two doses every hour for the rest of that day, and by the evening, I was delighted at the progress my palms had made.

It won’t be long now…

Chapter 31: Abby

Waiting in that cramped closet for hours was torturous.

I was sure that Erik was suffering more than me—he had much longer legs, after all—but he persuaded me not to risk going out.