THE SOUND OF THEO’S VOICE broke into my thoughts. “We’re almost there.”

I could see the city of Seattle appearing in the distance. The skyscrapers rose high into the sky and even higher I could see the Space Needle. What amazed me the most were the mountains in the distance.

Instead of heading into the city, Theo turned down a hidden lane just off one of the highway exits. I found myself mesmerized by the tall trees. They seemed to go up for miles. A light mist started, covering the windshield.

“I definitely didn’t miss the rain,” Theo muttered as he turned on the wipers. The headlights cut through the darkness. “Whatever you do when we get there, don’t show any fear,” he warned.

“Why?” I asked, worried why he’d say such a thing.

“Fear is a weakness. Some of these people … They would take advantage of that.”

“You don’t trust them,” I stated.

Theo shook his head and toyed with his lip ring. “I’m your protector. It’s my job to trust no one except me. Be careful, okay?”

“You’re going to be here, right? You’re not leaving, are you?” I asked as a surge of panic hit my veins.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.” He winked and all seriousness was gone from his face and he was back to his normal self.

The thick trees opened up and a huge brick manor appeared. My jaw dropped. If I didn’t know better I would think royalty lived here. The place was huge. A four-story gothic manor. I didn’t know how anyone ever found their way around.

There was a circular driveway, but Theo bypassed that and drove into an underground garage hidden by the trees and landscape. The garage was full of black Lincoln SUVs.

Theo parked the Porsche and turned to me. “Show time.”

* * *

I followed him through an underground tunnel. The floor and walls were made of stone and every so often a sconce lit the way.

We came to a set of rickety wooden steps that led to a large wooden door. Theo’s muscles strained as he opened the heavy door. “Come on,” he whispered.

He closed the door behind us. We now stood in a large hallway with marble floors, brown walls, and thick wood moldings.

“This way.” He motioned me down a similar corridor. I got the feeling he didn’t want to get caught, he was too edgy and on guard. He turned down another hallway and glanced over his shoulder. This place was built like a maze and I was already turned around. There was no way I’d ever be able to find my way back. I found myself gawking at the walls. They were covered in pictures that I could only assume were different enchanters. Most had a regal, stuffy look to them. But one picture made me stop in my tracks. The girl was only a few years older than me. Her blonde hair was long and she wore a fancy dress. But what resonated with me the most was the look of sadness in her face and eyes.

I tore myself away from the picture and jogged to catch up with Theodore. Suddenly, he stopped, and I slammed into his back, falling to the floor.

“Shit,” he said, and I knew it wasn’t because I ran into him. His expletive came because of the five sets of eyes staring us down. “Busted,” muttered Theo.

A man stepped forward. I knew instantly from the way Theo bristled that this must be Victor Antonescu. He shook his head back and forth and stared at Theo. Theo broke the eye contact by helping me up.

“What do we have here?” asked Victor as Theo let go of my hand.

Theo gave me a look and I remembered his words. Don’t show fear.

“Mara Pryce,” I said and stood straight to show I wasn’t intimidated.

Victor looked between the two of us. “My office, now.”

* * *

Theo was sprawled in one of the leather chairs while I sat primly in the other. Victor had sent us to his office and we had been here for about ten minutes, but he hadn’t come in. I figured they were discussing the situation as a group first. I wondered what they were deciding.

I leaned my head back and was surprised to find that there was no ceiling. I could see the night sky—every star and every cloud. But how could that be? This was the first floor.

“It’s a charm,” said Theo, noticing my furrowed brow.

I nodded. Of course it was a charm. I should’ve known.

Theo looked at the door and then back at me. “Watch,” he whispered. He held his hand out, palm up. A bird made of fire appeared on his hand and took flight. It did a lap around the room before returning to his hand and turning to ash.

“Wow,” I murmured.

Theo grinned and brushed his hands together to get rid of the ash.

“They didn’t know I was coming, did they?” I asked him.

He opened his mouth to reply but at the same time the door finally swung open.

Theo straightened in the chair and sat back with his shoulders squared. His jaw was clenched tight, brows drawn.

“Well, well, well,” Victor intoned as he strode into the large office and sat behind the desk. He steepled his fingers and pressed them to his lip. “Theodore Meyers, sneaking out of the manor without our permission. Why am I not surprised?”

“I don’t need your permission. I live here, it’s not a prison.”

“Ah,” said Victor and his eyes glittered, “but living here is a privilege. A privilege that can be revoked at any time. We might be here to house enchanters in need, but we can deem anyone unworthy of stepping inside these walls.”

“And where would I go?” retorted Theo.

“That is not my concern, boy,” Victor snapped. Theo rolled his eyes. “I want to know why you left.”

Theo rolled his eyes again. Victor snarled.

“Mara was in danger. I’m her protector. Blah, blah, blah. You know all this.” He sighed, and leaned forward clasping his hands. “I honestly don’t know why we’re even discussing this.”

Victor snarled, his lip flaring. “You did not have permission to leave the premises.” His face turned a garish purple color and a vein pulsed in his forehead.

I was beginning to see what Theo had meant about this guy. He was clearly power hungry. He might’ve been a part of The Committee, but I also didn’t see how he could have so much say over someone leaving and returning. If Theo lived here—which he did—surely he was allowed to come and go?

“And I knew I wasn’t going to get it. So, I left,” Theo said calmly.

Victor turned red with rage and pointed his finger at Theo. “Boy! You need to learn to respect your elders. You can’t just do whatever you want.”

Theo rolled his eyes. “The Iniquitous were after Mara. I needed to get to her.”

Victor narrowed his eyes. “How would you know that?”

Theo leaned across the table to Victor. “I’m a special protector. I’m tied to her in ways most protectors only dream about,” he whispered savagely.

I got the impression if Theo didn’t think he would get in endless amounts of trouble he’d slit this man’s throat in a heartbeat.

Victor seemed at a loss for words. He finally turned his beady brown eyes on me. “So, you’re an enchanter. How old are you?”

“I’ll be eighteen in less than two weeks.”

Victor harrumphed. “We’ll get your accommodations set up. Since you’re almost of age you will be expected to begin training. There are several others here your age and older so you won’t be training alone.” He turned to Theo and sighed. “Since you’re no longer a child it’s not like I can punish you, so you can go.”

“I’m not leaving this room without Mara,” he growled, his body bristling.

Victor sighed. “Fine then, wait here while I get a key for her room.”

Theo nodded, and Victor left the room.

“Stop freaking out. Everything will be fine.”

“How do you know I’m freaking out?” I asked.

“That doesn’t matter,” he dismissed me, “but you need to calm down. Be strong.”

I could see Theo’s protector mojo kicking in. As soon as we walked into the manor, he had changed. He wasn’t joking or calling me doll face. Instead, he seemed almost … scared. But I was sure his annoying habits would soon kick in and he’d be back to his same infuriating self. I hoped. The normal Theo surprisingly stressed me out less than this one—he was too on edge and jumpy.

Victor returned and sat back down once more. Now that I wasn’t as scared, he didn’t seem so intimidating. He was red faced and on the heftier side. His dark hair was receding and he had a thick black mustache that curled on the ends. It reminded me of Victorian times, as did the pocket watch in his jacket pocket. He was constantly dabbing the sweat from his face with an old-fashioned hankie.

He handed a key to me. “Theodore can show you to your room.”

I stared at the key. “I’m surprised there’s not like a magic word or something to open the door.” The key was an antique skeleton key weathered with age.

Theo’s lips turned up, but Victor seemed unaffected. “We try to keep things as normal as possible since we don’t come into our powers until eighteen. You’re both free to go.” He waved his hand. The door swung open on its own. I wanted to say, “so much for normal,” but I chose to keep my mouth shut. I didn’t think I wanted to know what the punishment would be for back-talking a Committee member.

Theo and I stood to leave.

“Miss Pryce,” called Victor. I turned back around. “I apologize for not introducing myself. I’m Victor Antonescu.” He stretched his hand out for me, and I took it. “Welcome to Eldson Manor.”