It would be soon, so soon.
I watched the hills roll by out my window, the obnoxious music acting as a background pulse that throbbed at the base of my skull. Fiddle and accordion clashed in unharmonious melody, so much like the songs Silas and I had listened to that night at the tavern, where he’d ambushed me with the kiss that would forever alter my life. This song, though, added a heavy dose of bass that didn’t match either of the other accompaniments.
I tried not to focus on the past, but on the future.
Soon we would discover Kurnbottom at the top of a castle spire, cackling as he divulged his plans. Bad guys loved to brag. It was a universal truth that played quite well for us good guys once when we turned the tables and crushed them.
Kurnbottom would explain his desire to live forever, and in doing so, offer some clue as to how to defeat him. All we had to do was show up and encourage him to spill his secrets.
Silas, chained and at the villain’s mercy, would cry with joy as I unlocked his shackles. He’d wrap his arms around me and thank me for swooping in and rescuing him. Then we’d return to the library, where I’d claim my rightful place as senior librarian.
No, that part didn’t feel true. For some crazy reason, the idea of rescuing Silas felt like the rightful end to our adventure. And for the first time in my life, I wasn’t sure I cared about being senior librarian anymore. Something must be wrong with me. Once my inevitable victory came to be, I’d be properly thrilled by the prospect. Certainly. Definitely. Without a doubt.
“There it is,” Imogen said.
I turned my attention ahead of us, to the castle on the hill. The sun was setting behind it, casting our destination in creepy shadows.
“Stop here,” I said. Then to reassure myself, I added, “My destiny awaits.”
“Aww,” Imogen said. “You call Silas your destiny? That’s so sweet.”
I shook my head at her silliness. “No. Victory is my destiny.”
Senior librarian position, here I come.
“Uh-huh,” she said. “Sure.”
I ignored her and jumped out of the car the second it came to a stop. I raced up the driveway and spotted a glimpse of something black hidden around the side of the building behind a massive bush. The light sparkled off of the shape.
Was it the unicorn?
I slowed to a walk, pulled the taser I’d borrowed from my mother’s basement from my bulky purse, and slowly circled the bush. It was fortunate Mom had held onto the invisibility scrollI’d left at home, otherwise Imogen and I would never have gotten our weapons through international security.
The black shape didn’t move or make any sounds. If it wasn’t the unicorn, what exactly was Kurnbottom trying to hide?
Loose branches were placed on top of a blanket-covered shape. The deception was poor, and the shape of the black vehicle was clear. I peeled back the blanket, toppling two of the branches to the ground.
This was Silas’s borrowed car.
The little hairs on my arms stood on end. My heart rate peaked, whooshing in my ears.
How long had he been here? If Kurnbottom was attempting to cover evidence of Silas’s arrival, it could have been days. Something could have happened to him after the sheep fight. I should have come with him when he insisted on returning here. I shouldn’t have been so stubborn. The amulet didn’t matter. Winning didn’t matter.
Silas mattered.
And I’d left him to come here alone and….
If he was dead, I’d kill him. I’d never forgive him. I’d never forgive myself.
My arms were shaking. My legs felt like they were about to give out. I tried to steady my breaths.
He couldn’t be dead. He was Silas Freaking Huxley, senior librarian. He was too competent and too stubborn to die.
I looked down at my shaking hands, at the orange feather that was attached to my wrist. I inhaled a slow, deep breath. If I didn’t maintain control, there was nothing I could do to help Silas.He needed my help because he was still alive.
“Hey.” Imogen poked my shoulder. “Is that Silas’s car?”
I nodded.