We’d made it downstairs to a lounge where we could see out into the courtyard. I was kneeling behind a couch with Cal pressed up on my right and Max on my left, a whine in my throat as a silencing bubble surrounded us along with a thick concealment spell that blended us right in with the furniture. We’d watched Vard leave, leading a large group of Nymphs with him as they headed towards the front of the manor, muttering about the new arrivals being here soon and we’d quickly figured out that we must have been those new arrivals. Which meant they were off preparing their trap for us far too late. Sucked for them that we’d already made it into the house then. I guessed stealing Vard’s shadow eye had made him the shittest Seer this side of Solaria. But it was a small victory in the face of all this.
“There’s so many of them out there,” Max said in frustration. “We need to draw them away.”
“And we need a binding needle to close that rift,” I replied. “Do you think one of us should stardust back to get one?”
“We don’t have enough stardust for multiple trips,” Max said with a frown.
“Wait, Stella’s house is right next door,” Cal said in realisation.
“And?” I asked.
“And Orion told me all about how there’s a secret basement in there full of all his dad’s old dark magic equipment,” Caleb explained. “It’s hidden behind a secret panel in the hall under the stairs.”
“Of course your bestie told you that,” I muttered, though okay, yeah it was handy.
“What if there’s no needle?” Max said worriedly.
“They’re one of the most commonly used objects in dark magic – Orion has been telling me loads about it. So it’s worth a shot,” Cal pushed.
“But we still need to draw those Nymphs away from the altar before we can even get to that rift,” I said.
“How about I set a fire?” Cal suggested and I considered that.
“They won’t all leave for that, maybe a few but…” I shook my head.
“I could try and manipulate their emotions, get them subdued,” Max said thoughtfully. “Maybe I could even send them all asleep if I had enough time.”
“You’ll send our families asleep too and that could put them in more danger with that fucking altar thing,” Cal hissed.
“I’ve got it,” I announced, sitting back on my heels as the two of them looked to me. “I’ve got voice mimicking perfected. I can cast an illusion, pretend I’m Lionel long enough to call them away from outside to give you guys a chance to go get a binding needle and free everyone.”
“That’s not a totally terrible idea,” Caleb conceded. “But if they figure it out and use their rattles on you, you’re fucked.”
“You think I can’t handle a bunch of Nymphs?” I scoffed, though my heart thudded out of rhythm for a second at the intense look he gave me.
“Just be careful,” he growled, reaching out to squeeze my hand and the point of contact sent an arrow of heat through my chest.
“Always am.” I winked then worked to cast the illusion. It wasn’t perfect considering I couldn’t mimic Lionel exactly. He had spells working to stop me from doing so, but as I cast a large cloak around me and pulled up the hood, I reckoned I’d pass. It was dark out in that courtyard anyway, and my voice mimic would be perfect.
“Ergh, you look freakishly like him,” Cal said with a wrinkled nose.
“I am a tiny-cocked iguana,” I spoke in Lionel’s booming voice. “How’s that?”
“Perfect. Now fucking go.” Max shoved me and I leapt upright, walking with my shoulders pressed back as I headed to the door and threw it open in a dramatic move worthy of the asshole himself.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!” I roared, making the Nymphs stiffen in alarm at seeing me.
“Doing what Lavinia asked of us,” one of them answered in a grunting voice.
“And is Lavinia your king?” I barked and a few of them exchanged glances at that. “Well?!”
“No, your majesty.” The nearest one bowed his head and I patted him vaguely on the shoulder, before realising that was probably not a Lionel move, so I wiped my hand off on my cloak with a grimace. “Get inside this instant. We need to talk. All of you!”
I pointed and the Nymphs hurried to obey, bowing their heads obediently as they darted past me, though a couple stayed behind to watch the shitshow which was taking place around the altar, and I guessed I’d have to trust the others to deal with them.