Page 112 of Ruby Red Sky

Cassia

No one knew what the flash of light was, other than that something significant had to have happened. Elijah helped Selena and me back inside the castle and hustled us down to the ceremonial room again. We were right back where we started.

Checking the crystal ball told me nothing. The glass remained stubbornly clear no matter how hard I begged it to let me know something, anything. Whatever it could to let me know Lukas was all right. It stayed silent. Selena had to stop me from pouring more potions over it, but I couldn’t deny it would have been a waste of resources.

Elijah stated it likely had something to do with Lukas, Wyvon, and Annalise, and him saying that did not inspire any confidence.

Some servants brought us folding beds and me and Selena napped, and then we ate when food was brought in.

“How long are we going to stay down here?” She complained to Elijah.

“Until I get word that its safe,” he replied.

Selena huffed at him. “You’re one of the most powerful vamps out there and my bestie has a god damn unicorn guarding the castle—I think we’ll be all right.”

“If we didn’t have company I’d make you get on your knees,” he warned her. Her face turned a brighter red than I knew she was capable of, and she slunk back to her cot.

I giggled. “At least he’s considerate of your privacy.” I couldn’t help myself.

Selena flung a small pillow at me but missed. I heard it splash in the water. Then I heard it land on the stone with a wet splat. “Behave,” her husband warned her.

She made some unintelligible sounds and then the door on the other side of the room opened.

Tossing the blankets off my legs, I sat up in time to see Markus walk in. He approached Elijah, and Selena and I glanced at each other. This wasn’t a social call, not if you went by his formal posture or the missive he placed in the other man’s hand.

As much as I wanted to interrupt, I waited. Until Elijah met my gaze.

Before I knew I’d even moved, I was standing in front of him. “What is it? What happened?”

Selena quickly joined us. “They’re gone. Wyvon and Annalise. The Kakian army. Not a trace of them remains beyond their scents.”

“Lukas?”

He shook his head, eyeing the piece of paper again. “Same. There’s nothing there.”

My stomach sank and my legs wobbled. “I need my painting from the bedroom. I want it.”

Elijah’s eyes flickered. “I’ll send someone to retrieve it.”

Nodding, I said, “Thank you.” My voice cracked. “I appreciate that.”

The ceiling had collapsed in the room me and Lukas had stayed in. Someone put a tarp over the hole, but Elijah warded it so no one could enter, knowing I would have tried despite the new lack of structural integrity. They may have been able to keep me mostly in the castle—I wasn’t that dumb, but I couldn’t say I wouldn’t have attempted to get my portrait of Lukas.

True to his words, a couple hours later, I had my painting. In hindsight, I should have asked for my drawing supplies as well, but I’d had my priorities when I made the request. I wrapped the artwork carefully in some cloth and then set it out of the way, against the wall in a corner.

Selena and I both passed out after eating another meal Elijah had delivered. He still wanted to wait a bit longer before we went back upstairs.

I fell asleep trying to figure out how I would adjust to life without Lukas. Eventually, I’d be fine, I knew. Heartbroken, but fine. I just hoped it wouldn’t come to that, and that I wouldn’t have to traverse a life without him.

A commotion by the door was what woke me. Markus was gesturing to Elijah and then he disappeared. Elijah swiveled his head, and his stare pierced me. Whatever was going on, it was serious.

The blanket caught around my leg as I got up and I tore it away. “What’s going on?” I heard Selena yawn and I ignored her, keeping my gaze locked with her husband’s.

I ran until I found myself in front of him, craning my head back to look at him. I’d never stood this close to him, out of respect. That regard went out the window the moment I realized that whatever happened next would change me forever.

“He’s here,” Elijah stated.

The room spun as I twisted in a circle and made a mad dash for the door. Sounds dimmed and the walls flew past me as I ran blindly. As I turned a corner, I heard Lukas say my name and then, I was in front of him.