Without pause, I replied, “We’re going to Italy.”
3
Getting to Florence safely was another question altogether. We’d found a dive bar by the harbor and were sitting around a table discussing our options. Other than the bartender and one random customer who was too sauced to notice us, we were the bar’s only occupants.
“Let’s throw out a few more options,” I said. “After we’re done, I’ll talk to my father. As Alpha, he’ll have the final say about how we get there.”
I’d spoken to my father briefly last night, after I’d had my mind interlude with Juanita, to inform him of what had gone on at the cabin. Juanita had told me to head to Baltimore. My father had given us the okay to come here, and he was now awaiting an update.
“I say we hitch a ride across the Atlantic with someone powerful,” Marcy said. “Enid can’t kill indiscriminately, or the fabric changes too much. Preferably a witch of some sort who can keep the plane spelled with me. You know, in case I get knocked out or something.” She drummed her fingers against her chin. “Lemme think.”
The thought of getting on a plane made my head pound. The last ride hadn’t turned out very well for us. We’d gone down in the middle of a swamp. I wasn’t eager for a repeat performance.
I hadn’t had adequate time to process the fact that Enid had taken Danny and Naomi. She’d definitely hit me where it hurt. I told the group, “We can’t forget that Enid wants us to make it to Italy. If we don’t, her evil plan can’t take shape. She’s kidnapped our friends, and she knows we’re invested. I don’t think she’d take a plane down, but that doesn’t mean I want to get on one.” I turned to Nick. “Are the phones operational?” We’d stopped briefly to get new ones.
“Yes, I’ve set up five,” he told me, holding one out.
I reached for it. “Great—”
The door to the bar burst open.
We all leaped out of our seats, ready to face the threat. It was almost comical, each of us positioned in a different way. Marcy had her hands out, fingers twitching. Tyler was crouched, ready to spring. Rourke had his fists on the table, teeth flashing. James’s shoulders were drawn back. Nick had his hands out to the side. And I was down, knees bent, ready to launch myself forward.
We looked like the mismatched Avengers.
The only person who remained seated was Kayla.
Two seconds later, Eudoxia strode in, her gown flowing out behind her like it had its own wind. This one was a deep, rusty orange. Her delicate features were precise and perfect, her pale blonde hair piled on top of her head in its typical mass of curls. The only detectable difference since I’d seen her last was her pallor.
Instead of being a chalky, dead white, she glowed rosy pink.
She’d taken my blood in the Underworld, and it’d brought her fae side to the forefront. Apparently, it had stuck.
I righted my stance.
She was the last person I’d expected to walk through those doors.
“What—” I cleared my throat. “What are you doing here?” I began to make my way toward her, but Rourke gave me a look before I rounded the end of the table.
He bent down to murmur in my ear, “I’m going to have Marcy spell the humans.”
I nodded. Having them witness this encounter wouldn’t be wise. I hadn’t seen Eudoxia since the day we’d left the Underworld and she’d flung herself through the portal without looking back.
My power stretched out ahead of me, testing her signature, trying to assess how strong she was after ingesting my blood.
We shared a connection now, but it was muted.
That wasn’t surprising, as she survived on blood, and had likely drunk from many since then, diluting what she’d taken from me.
“Stop probing me,” she scoffed in the irritated voice she reserved just for me. “That’s not how you greet someone of my stature, ignorant wolf. And, yes, I’m strong. More so than before. No need to further investigate.” Before I could formulate a response, she strode forward, slapping a note on the table. The fragile wooden top threatened to break as it wobbled under the impact of her strength.
Everyone gathered around. It was lettered exactly like the one Enid had left behind in Kayla’s apartment. It read:
IF YOU WANT YOUR PLACE ON THE COALITION, FAE QUEEN,
BE AT 1928 FLEET STREET, BALTIMORE AT 5:00 PM TOMORROW.
IF YOU FAIL TO SHOW, YOU DIE.