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Drake’s phone buzzed. He looked at it. “Shane is arriving. Before you go, there’s one more thing we wanted to tell you.”
Drake and Thea looked at Lavinia. I knew there was a reason she was here. I turned my body on my seat so I could face her.
“About eight months ago, maybe nine, I was kidnapped by the warlocks that had imprisoned Killian in another realm,” she started. “They made me feed on dark magic and I lost myself. But no one here knew about it. The warlocks sent me back, pretending to be hurt. Then, in the middle of the night, I acted. I stole the boxes they needed, and I hurt vampires and witches before I left and went back to the warlocks.” Her voice was full of grief. “I wasn’t in control of myself. I didn’t know what I was doing.”
I nodded. “You’re saying that Ivy could be like that right now.”
Lavinia nodded. “I’m sorry, but that’s why Drake and Thea want to keep her locked away for now. Until we know she has no spell or dark magic controlling her, and that she really wants to help, she’ll remain in that room. I hope you understand.”
My brows curled down. “I don’t like it, but I understand.” I saw their point. If Lavinia, the sweet-slash-badass girl in front of me could have turned against her friends without meaning to, then so could Ivy. Or anyone.
“All right.” Thea pushed to her. “You should go now before Shane arrives and breaks down the castle searching for you.”
One corner of my lips tugged up. “That sounds about right.”
19
SHANE
The flight back to Connecticut took an eternity. I hadn’t slept well the previous night during our first flight. We had fought a pack of wolves, and now I couldn’t sleep because what Rotgar said seemed to be true.
Somehow, Paimon had lured Raika to him … and she had gone to him?
No, she wasn’t that stupid. There was an explanation to all of this. There had to be. I lay back on my seat, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. Once more, I was glad the damn Shadow Wolf curse was gone, otherwise I would have already ripped this plane apart.
The moment the plane touched down and we could use our phones again, I got a text from Raika.
I’m back at the castle. I’ll see you soon.
A mix of relief and frustration filled my chest. That was it? She wouldn’t tell me what happened? I pressed the call button, but quickly turned it off. If I talked to her now, I would yell at her. Now that I knew she was back at the castle and safe, I could take time to calm down.
Yeah, right, as if I could.
We piled inside the SUVs and drove back to the castle. The ride was short, but my growing anxiety made it feel like it took hours.
Around four in the afternoon, Dom drove into the underground garage and steered the SUV to its spot.
Raika stood at the castle’s entrance, as beautiful as ever.
My heart kicked hard and suddenly all of my apprehension and anger flew away.
The SUV hadn’t even stopped when I jumped out, Dom yelling after me, and I ran to her.
Her bright, blue eyes rounded. “Shane, I—”
I slammed into her, wrapping my arms around her and holding her tight. I buried my face in her neck and inhaled deeply. She was here. She was fine. Whatever happened, whatever crazy thing she had done, it was the past. All that mattered was that she was back with me.
Her arms wound around my shoulders and she nestled her head on my chest. “I’m glad you’re back and safe.”
“I could say the same,” I whispered in her hair.
“You're not going to yell at me?”
“I thought I would, but when I saw you standing there, my anger disappeared.” Still holding her to me, I pulled my head back and looked at her pretty face. “I don’t even care about what happened.” What a lie. I cared, but I cared about her more.
“Hey, Raika,” Dom said as he walked past us.
Lucille waved at Raika and said, “Hi girl,” as she followed Dom inside the castle.
