Page 23 of The Powers of Nyx
I said nothing as she sighed and walked out of the office behind Adrian. My heart twisted as the door clicked shut.
My eyes closed, and even in the darkness of my own mind, it was her face I saw first. “For you,a mhuirnín, anything.”
8
IVY
MYheart pounded as Adrian and I met Maeveand Hawk in her office. They stopped speaking as soon as we entered, wary eyes falling on us. It was late evening, the city outside the windows bright with colour, the sky an endless grey, but it felt different here—like we were in an entirely different world.
I swallowed thickly as I took in the second team leader; he looked out of place in Maeve’s office, more rugged than regal, like the space reflected. His hair was out today, falling around his sharp jawline, and his dark eyes pierced through me as I came to a halt in front of the desk. As usual, he was dressed in tactical gear, which hugged his broad form, outlining his toned muscles.
Only unlike usual, he had a pair of glossy black wings folded behind his back.
“What the…” I stared at the feathered angel-shaped wings sprouting from his broad back in awe. “Wings?”
A smirk twisted across his lips. “Never seen a pair before?”
I rolled my eyes, the curiosity disappearing immediately. “Of course not, Hawk. Last I checked, I was still new to all this.”
The overgrown owl snorted and crossed his arms. “You can admit you’re into it, Princess. No one will judge you.”
“Maybe into plucking them and stuffing my pillows,” I replied, giving them another dramatic once over. “They’d make great padding”
Hawk’s eyes narrowed slightly before darting away from me. From my side, Adrian chuckled softly and took my hand, giving it a squeeze.
He’s going to be a real pain in the ass now,Adrian murmured through the bond,you’ve bruised his ego.
I couldn’t help but snort.Then he should stop being annoying.
Before Adrian could respond, Maeve rose from behind her desk. There was a strain in her eyes that hadn’t been there earlier, and even from where I stood, I could make out the barely tangible ring of red surrounding her iris.
I thought back to the last time I’d seen the red, when she hadn’t fed for some time, and swallowed thickly. Our eyes met briefly before she looked to Hawk, still standing beside her.
“Tomorrow morning, we make the trip to the ferry. We’ve been given clearance by Queen Greer and her people to move,” Hawk announced, all the arrogance and ego disappearing from his face. “It won’t be easy. Based on contacts within this city, there have been sightings of hellhounds, so they know we’re here.”
A shiver raced down my spine as Maeve sighed. “We’re going to need you to enhance the protections we already have.”
My stomach clenched and I twisted my hands in front of me. “I don’t know. A ring is one thing, but—”
“I know it’s a risk,” Maeve replied softly, “but one we may need to take. Adrian can do it, of course, but your power is stronger because of Nyx. And it may be the safest way we get you out of this city.”
It’ll be okay, Adrian said, giving my hand another squeeze.I’ll be with you the entire time.
Despite the unease building in my chest, I nodded. “Okay, I’ll try.”
Maeve bowed her head in a simple nod before sitting. “The other group will be leaving today as their journey will takelonger. They will also be waiting for us at the ferry.” Her careful mask slipped over her features and made me tense. “We will only have a limited timeframe to make it there. The passage will be open to us for only a few short hours during the full moon.”
Beside me, Adrian stiffened. “Why the time limit? Full moon lasts longer than a few hours.”
Hawk and Maeve shared a look, and my stomach dropped. “The Queen fears the enemy may try and take the ferry,” Hawk replied slowly. “If they do, we lose one of the few safe passages between the mortal realm and Avalon.”
“And that cannot be risked.” Maeve sighed heavily and leaned back in her chair. “If we miss it, we risk remaining here, targets, for several weeks while we await the next moon cycle.”
Bile rose in my throat, anxiety pooling in my gut. “If I miss the ferry, fine. But if the others get the chance to get on, then they can’t miss it. My sisters, Thea—they’ll be safer in Avalon, right?”
I looked to Maeve, but it was Hawk who spoke, his voice somewhat gentle. “They’d be safer at the palace than out in the open, yes.”
“Good.” I nodded stiffly and swallowed down the bile. “Make sure they’re already on the boat before we get there. Make sure they’re safe.”