Page 71 of Seas the Reckoning

I also have no idea who the vampire is speaking to, or where their allegiances lie. I manage to duck behind the door as it’s opened, and a harried member of staff rushes down the hall. Before anyone else can find us, I step into the library and pull the door shut behind me.

Vampires are quick, and dangerous, but I’ll get us by him one way or another.

My throat pulses with heat. A last resort. But one I’ll use if I have to.

“Carolina?” Arloc looks me up and down, eyes lingering on Starla.

The witch is beginning to stir. I set her gently on the floor, preparing to face Arloc.

“We’re leaving. Don’t try to stop us.”

“Dressed like that?”

I look down for a moment.

“Don’t get me wrong,” he says. “You’re both stunning, but I would imagine there will be multiple disappointed parties if you leave the wedding before it even begins.”

I take a step to the side, placing myself in front of Starla.

“He can’t make us take vows. These weddings are not going forward. Why are you still here, anyway?”

“My, my. Niceties dropped, now that the other guests are gone? Not that I mind. As I told you before, I prefer to be just how I am. These events can be tedious.”

Is he stalling? Giving someone else time to find us? I need to make a move.

He sidesteps, predicting that I was attempting to get around him.

“It doesn’t matter to me whether or not you go to your own wedding. I mean, it likely would have, if it had also been my wedding, but what do I care if Claude gets left at the altar? Or Piers? Insufferable, both of them.”

“Arloc.” I snap his name as a warning.

“I’m still here because I made an excuse, presented a few pieces to the councilman to choose from for wedding gifts. Bits of enchanted jewelry, and some that are just expensive. I wanted to stay long enough to run into you again.”

“Move, or be moved.”

The words sound silly to me. I’m not dangerous enough to be saying them without my song, but maybe I can fool him?

“No need to fight me. I want to help you with your necklace. Hand it back over, and I can give you a good idea of what it does.”

“I’m not just going to give it to you! Why would you help us?”

“Well, check downstairs! Every single room! Now!” The councilman’s angry voice echoes through the halls.

“Because you’re not the only one who puts on a front to survive these people. I had my own motivations for coming. My interest in you was genuine, but not as nefarious as you’re making it out to be. If you want to leave, I won’t stop you.”

I look back and forth between him and the door.

The necklace is important, and the opportunity has fallen in my lap. I can surely sing one vampire if absolutely necessary, can’t I?

“Come with us. This way.”

I lean over to scoop Starla up, but Arloc beats me to it. He straightens with the witch in his arms. The vampire follows me as I approach the shelf we used before and imitate the witch’s actions. The passageway opens, and we enter.

When we exit in the gardens, I just keep running. Arloc keeps pace, not pestering me with questions, but I have one for him.

“The councilman might suspect you helped us. What do you get out of this?”

“Let’s just say you’ll owe me a favor sometime.”