Damsel Under Stress (Enchanted, Inc. 3)

Owen ignored him, grabbing me in a fierce hug. He then shoved me out in front of him at arm’s length. “Are you okay?” he asked. Before I could answer, he pulled me against him again and held me like he would never let go.

“I just love a happy ending.” I looked over to see Ethelinda dabbing at her eyes with a yellowed lace handkerchief.

“Yeah, you really helped here tonight,” I said, unable to hide my sarcasm. I figured I deserved a little snottiness, considering I’d practically been burned at the stake, thanks to her interference.

I expected her to deny messing up anything, but instead, she burst into sobs. “It was supposed to be an easy assignment. You can only go so long based on reputation, and Cinderella was centuries ago. They weren’t even all that happy ever after, you know. They had nothing in common. Sure, the first few years were fine, but then he started going on more hunting trips and she got caught up with the children, and they were like strangers living in that enormous castle.” She gave a big sniff, then blew her nose so loudly that it startled the dragons. “But now I can’t seem to do anything right.” With that, she dissolved into shuddering tears.

She’d just about ruined my life, and had come pretty close to ending it, but I couldn’t stand to watch her cry. “Wait,” I called out, tearing myself from Owen’s embrace. “You know, those two—” I gestured toward Merlin’s pocket and down the passage where Idris had disappeared “—seem like they could use some help. He doesn’t appreciate her properly.”

Her face lit up and her tears dried immediately. “Oh, yes, that young man does need to learn a lesson or two, and she would have better luck if she were more ladylike. Very good suggestion. I’m on the case!”

Merlin bowed to her. “Thank you for your assistance, but I would appreciate it if you’d leave my people alone in the future.”

“Oh, I have no need to meddle further here. Things seem to be perfectly peachy. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.” She vanished in her usual burst of silver sparkles, and I hoped that was the last I saw of her.

Owen squeezed my shoulder. “You never did tell me. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I want to sleep for a week, but I seem to be mostly unsinged, except maybe the soles of my shoes. But why did you let them go in the first place? You had them.”

He looked at me like I was crazy. “Because they were going to kill you!” he shouted. It was the first time I’d ever heard Owen Palmer really and truly yell at someone, and he was yelling at me.

“But you let them go. Now what’re they going to do?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know, but we’ve always managed to stop them before. We can stop them again.”

“What about the whole saving the world from bad magic thing?”

“It’s not like my choice was you or the fate of the free world.”

I sighed and rubbed my still-aching head. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m glad you saved me. I really wasn’t enjoying the idea of being a human torch, but I hate the idea of them getting away. They’re still in business, and we haven’t learned anything about who’s really in control.”

“We might be somewhat better off,” Merlin said. “They seem to have acquired a major hindrance, due to your efforts. And we once again have our original prisoner. I honestly believe that Ari will be willing to cooperate now, even if it’s only enough to make him suffer for insulting her. In addition, we have freed your friend and preserved Mr. Vandermeer’s claim on his business, which may ultimately cut their funding.”

Owen smiled then as he put an arm around my shoulder. “If that fairy godmother works with them the way she did with us, then they won’t get anything done for weeks. We said we needed to distract Idris.”

“And Ethelinda is the ultimate distraction,” I said.

“Not such a bad day, after all, then,” Owen said, giving my shoulder an extra squeeze.

“Speak for yourself,” I groaned. “Can I take a break from being a victim for a while? I don’t enjoy playing damsel in distress.”

“Next time I’m in terrible danger, you’re welcome to come to my rescue,” Owen said with a teasing grin. He sounded almost giddy with relief. I guessed he wasn’t mad at me anymore. All it took to make him get over his hurt feelings and restore our relationship was me nearly getting killed. It wasn’t a relationship counseling technique I’d recommend.

“Count on it,” I assured him. “But I wouldn’t mind if we avoided terrible danger for a while. I’m looking forward to some typing and filing, maybe updating our marketing campaign. Just as long as I’m not being chased by anything or put under any spells. And in case anyone is wondering, I’d be happy to help train some other immunes to cope with immunity loss, but I am not going through that again.”

“No, you’re not,” Owen said firmly.

“Now, I believe all of us need to rest and tend our wounds,” Merlin said. Marcia helped Rod up, and I thought he looked steady enough to walk on his own, but he kept his arm tight around her. Ethan managed to get back on his feet, and then Merlin did something magical over Philip, who soon sat up, blinking. The weary lot of us headed out of the caverns, much to the dragons’ dismay, and ran into Sam before we reached the train station.

“It turns out he was only bluffing partway,” the gargoyle said. “He did have someone set up in Times Square to demonstrate magic, but we apprehended him under the code provision against public use of magic with intent to expose magic to outsiders. We also caught a few minor incidents around town that weren’t too difficult to deal with. The secret still seems to be safe, and there’s no buzz about the word being out.”

“It’s a gargoyle, and it’s talking,” Marcia said.

“Yes, it is, just like the other gargoyles back there, and can we talk about it later?” I replied, patting her on the arm.

The train station was deserted except for a few security guards who didn’t seem to see us. Rocky and Rollo’s car was still sitting in front of the station. “I’ll get Katie home,” Owen said. “She should probably stay with me until she gets her immunity back.”

The others piled into the car. I heard Marcia ask, “Hey, how are the gargoyles going to drive?” as Owen turned me away and summoned a cab. I was not looking forward to the conversation I knew would be in my future.