Even though the fire blazed before Celia, a deep chill had spread through her bones. How was it that these sadistic bastards kept closing in on the people she cared about? The Purgators were no different than the men who’d cut off her mother’s head, or those who’d tortured Oswald.
She hated thinking about that day. She could almost picture the executioner’s smile as he raised the sword, and her head swam with visions of blood. Bile rose in her throat, but she choked it down. Reaching out, she touched Mariana’s arm. “I’m so sorry.”
“At least I’m alive. Connor wasn’t so lucky.” She turned to Celia, her dark eyes suddenly intense. “We’re still not safe. They’re coming for us. And the veil won’t protect us forever.”
The words sent a shudder up Celia’s spine. They were like trapped animals here. Oswald and the werewolves wanted to hold their ground and fight.
Alan pulled Mariana closer. “We’ll figure something out. I’m going to do everything I can to keep my friends safe.”
A smile played over Celia’s lips, and she had a sudden desire to leave these two alone. “I’m gonna get back to Cornelius’s house,” she said, standing. “Tomorrow morning we’re supposed to get up early so I can twirl a pike around like a demented majorette.”
Mariana frowned. “I’m coming with you tomorrow. I’ve been sitting in this bedroom too long. I want to learn how to injure those dickheads on sight.”
Well, then. Mariana’s back. Despite the murderous look in her friend’s eye, Celia knelt down to embrace her, knocking Alan’s arm out of the way. “I’ve missed you.”
Tears brimmed in her eyes as she rose and walked out of the house. At least she still had her friends. Everyone except Fiona.
Celia trod a path on the outskirts of the village, the shortest route back home. The streets of Dogtown felt eerily silent tonight, and there was an unnatural stillness in the forest that made her uneasy.
She’d have to speak to Oswald. But how could she do that without making it seem like she cared what he thought?
An icy breeze chilled her skin, seeping through her dress and raising goose bumps. She glanced into the dark forest. Something seemed wrong. She felt—exposed, like at any minute someone could tear her from the path and shove her into a small box full of spiders.
She moved faster along the path, eager for the warmth of Cornelius’s house. Turning into the village, she broke into a run. The hair rose on the back of her neck as she sprinted through the streets, nearly tripping on her dress.
As she darted past the kennel, someone grabbed her arm. She nearly screamed before she saw Oswald’s face. He covered her mouth, pulling her in. “They’re here.”
As he whispered the words, bells clanged through the streets. The alarm. Her stomach clenched. “The Picaroons?”
“They’re lowering the veil, and erelong the others will follow.” Something glinted in the darkness. He was handing her a pike. “Take this. You must fly with Mariana—somewhere safe. She’s not ready to fight. Get her to the belfry, fast as you can. That’s our meeting point. We’ll chant the spell to get us to Maremount. If all goes well, the Throcknell army will be trapped here. Are you ready?”
“No.” Screw it—if she was facing a horrible death, she could face telling him the truth. Her legs began to tremble. “I don’t want to die. Is that such an awful thing to admit? I’m only seventeen. I know my dad’s going to kill me. He’s going to cut off my head, like he did to my mom.” She sounded like a coward, but she didn’t care anymore.
Oswald stared at her. To her surprise, he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. “Everyone’s scared of dying. But he’s not going to kill you. I won’t let it happen.” She could feel his heartbeat thumping through his shirt.
It felt amazing to have his arms around her. Her pulse racing, she dropped her pike, slipping her arms around his neck. She heard his sharp intake of breath, and her gaze trailed to his full lips, slightly parted, then to the long, bronze eyelashes that lowered over pale eyes. Dropping his weapon, his arms tightened around her waist, and his lips were on hers. He kissed her softly, running his hands over her back, lighting her on fire with his touch. She reveled in the kiss, not wanting the moment to end, and her hand trailed down the front of his shirt.
A distant scream pierced the night. Oswald pulled away. His eyes roamed over her face before he seemed to wake from a dream. “Grab your pike.”
50
Celia
“Fiona will be with the Picaroons,” she whispered, touching Oswald’s arm.
He gazed into her eyes, measuring his words. “She might not be the same. She’s with the shadow gods now.”
Dread bloomed in her chest. Of all their enemies tonight, she didn’t want to find her closest friend among them. “I need to tell Mariana and Alan. They’re still at Foxglove Manor, and they won’t know what’s happening.”
“Chant the spell to turn us invisible.”