When they rejoined Alex and Edmund, Pierre was with them.
"Etta," he said warmly, opening his arms. She hugged him as she never had before. Pierre and Maiya were all she had left of her father.
Alex had a grim look on his face as she approached. "My father was right," he said. "Magic is evil. I will do my best to crush it.” He glanced around at the others in the room. "This I promise you."
Etta exchanged a look with Edmund, a silent conversation that needed no words.
Alex spun toward the door. "We should be out there fighting the bastards." Red crept up his neck as he tried to contain his anger.
Pierre shot Etta a pleading look.
"Your Majesty, there's nothing you can do."
A scream from the street pierced the air before it was abruptly cut off.
Alex glanced wildly between the door a
