Chapter IX
I RETURNED BLOODIED AND DEFEATED, broken inside and feeling unclean. I had been running and running, desperately trying to make my way back. I was hoping the portal would magically wash away the guilt and terror over what I had done when passing through. Deep down, I knew it wouldn’t, my hunch confirmed the moment I emerged on the other side. I fell to my knees—I seemed to be doing a lot of that lately—bawling and sobbing, wondering how I’d ever make it the rest of the way to Magnus’ mansion.
The rustle of branches and leaves moving in the tree above me snapped me out of my sob fest. The feral side took over instinctively and I caught Seth’s scent. Oh, no, he couldn’t see me like this, no one could! I had counted on the lake to wash it all away before I had to face him.
“Alex
