to have control over her magic here, just the sense that it had changed in some way.”
“Agreed.”
“And two, I need to go through that portal and bring my father here before he becomes Vesta’s prisoner. I’d say we need to bring your mother, too, but given that you’ve had no communication with her in so long, I don’t know if she’d be open to that.”
“I don’t know. I’d love to bring my mother over, but now might not be the time.” If she really wanted nothing to do with him, his attempt to move her to Shadowvale could be disastrous in many ways. “And listen, I know you’re worried about your father, but you can’t go through that portal. You have no idea where it ends up. What if it’s in the middle of the Fangmore courtyard? There is a fountain there. Or there used to be. Regardless, you’d end up in the dungeons quicker than your father.”
Theo frowned. “Not if I go through in another form. I could be a fish. And then transform again once I know the coast is clear.”
“And if she’s filled that fountain with eels? I won’t have you become a late-night snack for one of those slimy buggers.”
“Then I’ll go in as an eel.” She slanted her eyes at him. “This is my father’s life we’re talking about.”
“I understand that, but you can’t go without a plan. How will you get back?”
“Same way I get in.”
“Not if that fountain is in the castle. You might get out of there, but there’s no way you’ll get back in.”
“Then…I’ll transform myself into Vesta. No one would dare stop me then.”
“How will you explain the lack of Overwatch protecting you? Especially with an old man in your company?” He shook his head. “It seems very risky to me.”
Her shoulders slumped. “I know it’s risky, Robin. But leaving him there is riskier. I can’t let her do something that will shorten what little time he has left.”
“No, you can’t.” He knew she was hurting. But losing her would destroy him. “Let’s go see Amelia first. Maybe, with this new information, there’s some help she can give us. Maybe she can give you some kind of protection spell. Or a charm that can make you invisible. Something. It’s worth a quick trip.”
Theo looked at him. “You think you can make it to her house?”
He raked his hand through his hair and swore again. “Probably not. I’ll call her and see if she can come here. In the meantime, you go get dressed. Be quiet, though. I don’t want to wake anyone else. We don’t need the interference.”
“I’ll be quick. And quiet.” She headed for the balcony, slipping out of his robe and leaving it behind on a chair.
He watched her go, the dim light from outside enough to silhouette her body through the nightgown’s thin fabric. It left him temporarily unable to do anything but stare.
His concerns rapidly returned, though. He couldn’t let her go to Limbo alone, but he was helpless to move beyond Vesta’s boundaries. And how would that work with the portal? Was it some kind of safe zone that he could slip through? Vesta would think he would continue being clueless about it even being there. Could that mean she’d left it unblocked? Or had she included a barrier of some kind on the off-chance he discovered it? What would that be? Would he be caught halfway, stuck in some magical prison between two worlds?
That wasn’t a happy thought. But maybe Amelia could venture a guess. Amelia. He got off the bed, remembering what he was supposed to be doing.
Outside on the balcony, Theo was at the railing. She disappeared suddenly. Then a streak of red light zipped away from his quarters and disappeared into the night. Smart to travel as a lightning bug. No one would ever suspect.
He pulled on track pants and a sweatshirt, then went to his nightstand for his phone. He rarely used it except to call Amelia. She and Deacon were the only numbers in his contact list, actually. He dialed her, hoping by some chance she was still awake.
“Robin?” Her clear voice filled his ear. Almost like she’d expected his call.
“Oh good. You’re awake.”
“Something’s happened.”
“Yes. Vesta was here, and we believe Theo’s father is in danger. Can you—”
“I’ll meet you under the pavilion in ten minutes.”
She must be using magic to get here as he was pretty sure she lived farther away than that. “Thank you. Will you please