with your skills should not fear the shadows, Gianna.” A young Latin man with extremely long legs, a broad chest, and a thin waist hopped down from the window and sauntered into the room’s light. He wore a dark suit with a white T-shirt under the jacket and his dark hair slicked back from his forehead. “Do not fear me,” he said as he neared.
“I’m not afraid of you,” I said, gulping my fear back and standing my ground, though I desperately wanted to back away.
A smooth smile spread over his lips. “You’re a horrible liar.”
“Who are you, and how do you know my name?”
“I am Ricardo.”
“Faith’s ex?”
“She spoke of me?”
I drew the Chiave from my scabbard and held the blade high for him to see. “Don’t come any closer, or I’ll decapitate you.”
He stopped and held up his hands. “Now, you wouldn’t want to do that; it will make such a mess.” He chuckled under his breath.
I tightened my grip around the hilt of the Chiave. “Touch me and I’ll kill you.”
His laugh unnerved me. “Did Faith say I was on the bad guys’ side? She may be a guard for Merlin, but I am his oldest friend. This castle is under attack as we speak. We haven’t time to argue whether you will go with me or not.” He pulled a cell phone out of his pocket and reached it out to me. “I won’t hurt you.” He crossed the distance between us. “Merlin has a message for you. Just play the video.”
“You mean Merl,” I said, trying to give him my best death stare.
He grinned. “I’m the only one allowed to call him Merlin.”
I took the phone with my free hand. He had it already on the video. Before I pushed play, a knock came from the door. I stared at Ricardo, wanting to open it, but worried what he’d do if I tried.
“Gia!” Arik pounded harder on the door.
“Are you going to get that?” he asked.
Not sure he could be trusted, I wouldn’t take my eyes off him.
The door splintered from its hinges and crashed to the floor. Arik rushed in, with Lei and Sinead on his heels. Several more Laniars flew into the room from the open window behind Ricardo and landed on either side of him. One of the female Laniars snarled at Lei, who stood unmoved.
“Ricardo?” The tension in Arik’s shoulders relaxed.
“Arik, you’re just in time to hear Merlin’s message.” Ricardo slowly exposed his long, sharp canines.
“How were you able to get a message from him?” Arik asked.
“I was in Asile when it was attacked. My pack pushed Conemar’s men back so Merlin could reset the wards.”
“Watch them,” Arik directed Lei and Sinead, pointing at Ricardo and his gang of Laniars. Then he leaned over my shoulder to view the video. “Go ahead, push play.”
My finger shook as I did. Merl flashed to life on the screen.
“I’m sorry for having to use this technology, but I didn’t want to risk lowering the wards to use my window rod. Thanks to Ricardo and his friends, Asile is safe, for now. The wards surrounding Asile are holding, but we need help before Conemar breaks through them. Ricardo has gathered our allies from the Mystiks. I appoint Arik as lead. You must alert all the havens. Have them send as many Sentinels, wizards, and guards as they can afford. Gia is to go with Ricardo. He will see to her safety from here forward. Be careful and may Agnes guide you.”
I pressed the screen, and it went dark. “How do we know he’s not being forced to say this?”
“The password, May Agnes guide you,” Lei replied. “She’s the patron saint of Asile.”
Agnes? That was the silver woman’s name that formed from my globe. Did the saints have something to do with the Chiavi?
I faced Ricardo. “How did you know I was here?”
“The werehounds tracked your scent from a shirt Katy…excuse me, your Nana…gave us.”
“Can your pack help us save Couve?” Arik asked him.
“They will, but Gia must go with me.” He noticed the protest forming on my lips. “Merlin said no exceptions. I’m to get you to the shelter.”
From the corridor came yells, scuffles, and the continual wail of the warning siren.
“I can’t go with you,” I said. “I have to fight with them.”
“She can’t fight with us,” Lei said, glancing at the door. “She almost killed Kale.”