Ryan nodded at her as he followed Justin.
“Sam,” she said as I passed her by.
I sighed as I stopped. “What?”
“Keep them safe.”
I scoffed. “I’ve been keeping them safe longer than you’ve decided to pretend to have a soul. You don’t need to worry about that.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “And I’ve been protecting them since you decided to disappear into the forest.”
Why did she keep having valid points? What kind of Dark magic was this? “I am going to—”
“Sam! Move your ass.”
Tina grinned smugly. “You heard the Prince, Sam.”
If looks could kill, Lady Tina’s entire bloodline would have been obliterated right then and there, even though I was almost begrudgingly impressed.
I grumbled as I followed my knight and my best friend 5eva, leaving Lady Tina behind.
IT WASN’T until we reached a set of stairs that led to the main floor of the castle that I began to see noticeable changes to Castle Lockes. It’d only been a year since I’d seen it last, but I didn’t think Darks were as worried about home décor as they were about making everyone miserable with their existence.
But the paintings of kings past and dignitaries and heads of state that had lined the walls had been removed (probably destroyed) and replaced with red-and-white banners that had a large black M right in the middle.
“He’s not very subtle, is he?” Justin said, sounding pained.
“Villains usually aren’t,” I replied.
“Are you okay?” Ryan asked Justin, dropping a hand on his shoulder and squeezing.
Justin shook him off. “I will be once we get to my father. Keep moving.”
Ryan glanced back at me, but I could only shrug.
We made our way up the stairs to the main floor. Off to the left was another set of stairs that led to our old living quarters, and I shuddered to think what had happened to them and who was staying in the home Ryan and I had made for ourselves.
“Hey.”
I startled, looking over at Ryan to find him watching me with a knowing expression. “It’s gonna be okay.”
“Promise?”
“Yeah, Sam. I promise. But we gotta keep moving, okay? Before—”
“Gentlemen,” a voice said.
We whirled around.
Caleb Marlowe.
He didn’t look any worse for wear since I’d seen him last. He was dressed similarly to us, in black robes that scraped along the stone floors, the hem speckled with dust. He looked severe but not suspicious. “Where are you going?”
I was struggling to keep my magic under control because he was right there, and I’d already let him walk away once. I didn’t know if I could do it again.
As if he knew I was struggling, Justin stepped in front of me, blocking Caleb. Out of sight, Ryan grabbed my hand, squeezing tightly. I calmed slightly, the bubbling rage lowering to a slow simmer. “New recruits, sir,” Justin said, tilting his head deferentially, and I hated the sight of him treating Caleb with any sign of respect, no matter how false. “Just showing them the ropes.”
Caleb hummed a little at that. “At this time of night?”