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Chapter Twenty-Three: Finders, Keepers
"Monsieur Draco's just arrived, sir. He says he'll be down presently."
"Thank you, Javier," Sebasten said, nodding. "Please have a drink waiting for him."
"Always, sir."
Draco arrived on the sprawling deck a minute or two later, accepting the chilled glass from Javier with a silent nod.
"Draco," Sebasten said warmly, clapping his stepson on the back. "Good to see you. How are things in London?"
"Wet," Draco laughed, giving a small smile as well. "I should get a flat here for the spring. I'm bloody sick of English weather."
"Your mother and I would like that very much. She is, as you know, exceedingly eager to meet your Genevieve."
"I'm sure she is," Draco said dryly. "Speaking of, where is she?"
"Out shopping with Maria and Petra. They were all lamenting they're nothing to wear to the party this evening."
"Of course," Draco said with a wry smile, surveying the beautiful gardens that sprawled below the promenade on which they currently stood.
"I'm actually glad to have you to myself, though," Sebasten said. "I don't often get time to speak with you alone."
Draco nodded but said nothing.
"I don't think your mother expresses enough that we're proud of you, Draco," Sebasten continued. "You're a fine young man. I feel honoured to have you as a son, in name if not in blood."
"Thank you," Draco said tightly.
He didn't much care for compliments.
"I don't mean to embarrass you, of course," Sebasten said in his slow, kind voice. "I only wanted you to know I admire you. My boys do, too. They were hesitant to accept another brother into the family. Now they are grateful."
Draco nodded. "Never imagined I'd have brothers."
"That can't have been particularly easy, I'm sure. Having sibling is sometimes a burden, but more often then not it's an unparalleled pleasure."
"I can imagine," Draco said, looking into the clear contents of his drink.
"How is your father?" Sebasten asked after a bout of silence.
Draco looked up, wary.
"He's fine, I think," Draco said. "Still married to the closest thing I'll ever had to a little sister."
Sebasten gave a sympathetic chuckle.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that parental divorce It isn't easy for children, even grown up ones."
"You aren't, I bet," Draco said, just the slightest bit defensive now.
"Admittedly not," Sebasten said with a wry smile. "Your father's loss was, of course, my most treasured gain. And in you I earned two for the price of your mother's hand. It was the best deal I've ever had the fortune to make."
Draco clenched his jaw.
"I have to admit it was more a relief than anything," he said in reference to the divorce. "A desperately unhappy mother is less than pleasant."
Sebasten laughed again.
"I'm sure. Do you see your father much?"
"No," Draco said curtly "And I like to keep it that way," he added after a beat.
"I take it you don't always see eye to eye."
Draco gave his stepfather a sharp look.
"Hardly ever, in fact," Draco said, silently reminding Sebasten there was nothing he hated more than being compared to Lucius.
"Your mother still worries," Sebasten said carefully.
"What," Draco said with acrid bitterness. "Don't tell me she's still afraid I'll turn into him."
"Of course not," Sebasten said softly. "She worries you're looking to cross him, and that you'll be burned for it."
"I'm not a fool," Draco snapped.
"I know you aren't. And I admire your ability to remain above it all."
"What are you getting at?" Draco sneered.
"I think your mother is right," Sebasten said. "I think you are too dedicated a man to give up what you started years ago, when you were still engaged to that girl."
"Don't talk to me about her," Draco said derisively. "I'm not at all the person I was under her insidious reign."
"Then perhaps I was wrong in assuming that you still seek to impede Lucius's ascend to dreadful power."
Draco looked out.
"You don't have to say a word to me about what's going on, "Sebasten assured him. "In fact, its better if I don't know. I only want to remind you that you have my support. I have contacts here and farther East in Turkey and Albania. When the time is right, my people will help you strike hard and fast."
"My father is a domestic affair," Draco said carefully. "I wouldn't ask for foreign support; this is dangerous work."
"No foreign support?" Sebasten asked mildly. "Then what prompted all the sudden visits to the United States ?"
"Genevieve," Draco said simply.
"Forgive me, then," Sebasten said knowingly. "I thought your mother told me that you met her in the Carolinas while on business. I didn't realise it was the other way around."
Draco nodded stiffly to indicate Sebasten was right about foreign support.
"May I make a final suggestion, then?" Sebasten added sagely.
"Of course," Draco replied.
"You ought to reach out to Severina Borgia. She is queen of Florence and Rome these days; her reach knows no limits."
Draco curled his lip.
"The Borgia are no friends of mine."
"Perhaps that is a stance you might consider revisiting. Your mother said your…falling out with Severina was personal, not profession."
"I wouldn't trust her not to exact some petty vengeance."
"I think you'll find her much changed since you last met. She's married to a Spanish Borja with two lovely children. She will not pine."
Draco clenched his jaw.
"Perhaps on my next visit to Rome, then."
Sebasten nodded.
"A wise choice, Draco. Now, since I've made my final suggestion, will you indulge me a final request as well?"
Draco nodded, albeit somewhat warily.
"Bring your Genevieve to the next soiree. Your mother and sisters-in-law are eager to meet her, and you have been so scant with details. All we've heard is that's she beautiful; your mother yearns to know more."
Draco nodded.
"I will, then," he agreed. "She would love this place.
"Good," Sebasten said with finality, touching his glass to Draco's. "Enough business, then. Let's have another drink."
"Ready?" Felix urged.
There multi-person apparation device, which was already assembled, stood waiting. It was hardly bigger than a telephone box, and with five peope it was going to be a tight squeeze.
"So this is where you live?" Draco said, eyes glittering as he first took in the stylish flat then it's designer.
"We don't have time for small talk," Sweeney said. "Let's go."
"How are we all supposed to fit in that box?" Leolin demanded.
"We're going to have to squeeze," Sweeney said. "I hope everyone bathed this morning."
Felix, unable to hold himself back, raising his eyebrows at Leolin to signal he thought she always smelled good. She rolled her eyes, not able to engage in his shite when there were so many other things to worry about.
Draco noticed, and he sneered at Felix.
"Back off," Draco said imperiously, shoving Felix roughly in the shoulder.
"So you're Malfoy?" Effie said, eying him somewhat contemptuously. "You're exactly like I'd imagined."
It was clear from her tone this wasn't a compliment. Leolin, unwilling to let a fight break break out, interceded.
"Eff, Drake," she said hurriedly. "Draco, Effie and Swish."
"I don't like you," Effie announced in a frank tone.
"I don't really care," Draco shot back.
"Right," Sweeney said. "Enough of this. Let's go."
"Wait!" Leolin cried. "I need to change."
"No time, lass," Effie said. "I can do your trainers, but otherwise you have to go as is."
"Fuck," Leolin breathed as they filed in. She was inevitably next to Draco.
She could feel his cool breath, first as it ruffled her hair and then on her neck as she pulled her hair over her shoulder and into a braid. Her back was pressed to his strong chest, and despite their spat, it was comforting. She wondered if he thought so, too.
"Leolin," Felix said quietly. "We can't get jammed up. If Pucey catches sight of you wearing that it's going to be game over."
Draco slapped Felix upside the head.
"Stow it, Chaisson," he snarled. "We don't have time for your fear-mongering."
"I'm not fear-mongering," Felix replied sullenly. "I'm being a realist."
"Well don't," Effie snapped.
"Stop," Leolin all but pleaded. "This isn't helping. Drake, we're on the same team. Ren, I assure you I'm painfully aware of the stakes. Please don't rub Adrian and his sick agenda in my face."
"I'm sorry," Felix said quietly. "That wasn't my intention."
"Then think before you speak," Draco snapped.
Swish glanced at his watch.
"Are you two done pining over Leolin? We don't have much time and we need to discuss the plan."
"Go on," Draco said, still eying Felix hatefully.
"Once we're through the gate and breach the perimetre, we only going to have fifteen minutes before it snaps back into place. Barring any surprises, that should be plenty of time."
"Yes, surprises," Draco said dryly. "I'm sure there won't be any of those."
"Shut it," Effie said. "That's not helping."
"The problem is that just like the gate, the house is guarded. We all have to take our own floor to keep from fueling the reparative system. Malfoy, you're heading to the cellar and finding your stepfather. After that, make your way to the second floor. Billiards room is in the middle of the floor. You're the least familiar with the layout, so be on your guard and pay attention."
"I don't need a lecture," Draco said imperiously. "I have an eidetic memory."
Felix rolled her eyes, and Sweeney glanced at Leolin.
"Annoying but true," she affirmed.
"Right," Sweeney said. "Just break the window and go down through it. Don't use your wand; that's going to shorten the leash."
Draco nodded.
"Right."
"Wait!" Felix said. "Where are we going once we get out?
"We're headed for the villa in Athens," Draco confirmed.
"International apparition is impossible," Felix sneered.
Draco drove a hand into his pocket, pulling out what looked like riverbed stones.
"This will help stabilise the journey."
"Are you sure?" Felix asked. "I don't want to die spliced."
"They work," Sweeney assured him. "We've used them in heists before."
Leolin and Draco caught each other's eye.
The box was beginning to slow now.
"We have communication devices as well," Effie said, passing them out.
"How do we know these work?" Felix demanded.
"You're a fucking twat," Draco said into his, and given their distance, it sounded loudly in Felix's ear.
"Malefiscent!" he cried, ripping the device away and rubbing his ear.
"Unnecessary," Leolin said sternly.
"Thirty seconds," Sweeney said. "Get ready to run, and remember: only use your wand if absolutely necessary."
He handed Leolin the canister with the painting and she nodded grimly, slinging it over her shoulder. Finally they landed with the thud, and without stepping out, Sweeney cast a spell. It swooshed over the grounds and towards the house. The gates gave a soft groan before swinging in as well.
"Let's go," he prompted, ushering them forward.
He, Effie, and Felix took off at once, but Draco grabbed Leolin's arm.
"Let go," she snapped. "I don't have time for this."
"Leolin," he said, clearly agitated. "Be careful this time. I mean it."
He tore East as she arced West, circling around to the side of the manor as she slipped the painting's holster onto the back. The windows on the side of the house were ornate, and gracefully she leapt up, grabbing the top lip of one and hoisting herself onto the narrow ledge. She jumped again once she had her footing, grabbing the second ledge. Her arms had begun to ache as she pulled herself up, but she ignored it.
"I'm in," Felix said through her earpiece.
Two stories to go.
After what seemed like forever, she reached the roof, panting a little.
"So am I," Draco said. "This place is a fucking labyrinth. It's honestly nothing like Lorde's plans. Adrian's obviously been making serious fortifications."
"If you see anyone, stun them and take their memories," Sweeney instructed. "This is going to be hard enough when the cavalry shows up. Twelve minutes."
"I thought you said no magic," Felix said.
"We might no have a choice," Effie said. "If Pucey's left a skeleton crew here, we need to knock them out quickly. "I'm in. Nay, where are you?"
"On the roof," Leolin said, panting from the climb. "About to go through the portal."
Leolin sprinted to the hidden portal, breaking the glass with her elbow and easing herself downward carefully. When she was dangling, she glanced down. There was only about two feet between her and the ground. She began swinging slightly before leaping down and bending her knees. She landed with a tiny thud.
"I'm in," Leolin said. "But Draco's right; Adrian's made some improvements. This place is a nightmare."
Despite how diligently Leolin had studied the blueprints, she realised she would be flying blinder than she would have liked.
"I'm not sure I'm going to make it down there before the clock runs out," she admitted, turning down what was supposed to be a corridor and finding a locked door instead. "We're going to have to get creative. Everyone be on their guard."
"Same here," Draco said. "I still haven't found Sebasten. He was supposed to the be in the middle cellar, but he's not there. I think Adrian's installed some jail cells down here. I assume that's were Sebasten is. Where is everyone else?"
"I just found the billiards room," Felix said. "But only by the grace of Merlin. It's not where the blueprints said. It's literally been moved to the South East corner of the floor. Beware of dead ends. Every time you reach a fork, go left. No clue why."
"I'm on my way to you," Effie said to Felix. "I think the third floor is the least complicated. Swish, where are you?"
"Cellar," Sweeney said. "Fuck, Malfoy's right; this is a proper mess. I cannae figure out where I'm at."
"This is so Pucey," Malfoy growled. "He can literally never resist showing off."
"We're down to ten minutes," Leolin reminded them.
"Where are you, Nay?" Effie said.
"Fourth floor," Leolin said breathlessly. "Still trying to compensate for the changes. I'm headed to the third now."
She glanced at her watch. Seven minutes. She headed into the library and found the hidden door, pushing through and down the stone steps leading to the next floor.
"I've got Sebasten," Draco said. "He's weak, but he's not hurt. MacAngus, tell me you're down here. It's going to take both of us to get him out."
"I am," Sweeney said. "But I cannae figure out where I am!"
"I told you," Draco said.
"Six minutes," Effie warned.
"Eff," Leolin said. "Did you find Felix yet?"
"Yeah," Felix said. "We're together now. Still trying to get a fire going in the fireplace. Seems like there might be a charm on the hearth."
"Break it," Sweeney instructed. "That grate being ready is more important than trying to dodge the charm."
"Right," Effie said. "We're working on it."
"I'm in the red cellar," Sweeney said. "Malfoy, where are you lot?"
"I'm honestly not sure," Draco admitted. "I started in the chilled cellar on the North side, but I can't really say where I'm at now. I think South East, towards the middle? There's a whole row of cells. That's where Pucey was keeping Sebasten."
"How is he?" Leolin asked.
"Not great," Draco admitted, breathing tapered from the effort of supporting Sebasten. "He's skin and bones."
"Fucking Pucey," Effie said. "He must have been looking for a way around the torture clause."
"Is he alright?" Sweeney said. "Do you know if he gave anything up?"
"He didn't," Draco snapped. "He's tougher than that."
"We had to ask," Felix said sternly. "No need to be a dick."
"Fuck off, Chaisson," Draco grit out. "MacAngus, goddamnit, where are you?"
"I'm doing my best!" Sweeney said heatedly. "Stop moving. I'm never going to find you if we're both in the labyrinth."
"Alright," Draco conceded. "We're back in the red cellar. Sebasten had to rest anyway."
"I just left there!"Sweeney said.
"Use a tracker charm back," Draco said. "I need your help."
"We're at four minutes," Effie warned.
"I think we should change the plan," Felix said. "We should meet in the cellar. There's no way McaAngus and Malfoy make it up here in time, and better we get the coins first instead of puppy guarding the grate. There are other grates; we'll have to leave through one of those."
"Chaisson and I are on our way down," Effie said. "Swish, tell me you've found Malfoy!"
"He did," Draco said. "Finally."
"Leolin?" Felix said. "Can you make it to the cellar?"
"I think so," Leolin said, still navigating the third floor, albeit quickly. "But there's no way I'll get down there before the clock runs out. We only have three and a half minutes. Remember what I said," she warned. "We're holding court on the street. No mercy."
"Right," Effie said. "Nay, please be careful."
"We shouldn't have put her high," Draco sneered. "She should have been down here. It's less dangerous."
"If the layout had been accurate, it would have been fine," Leolin pointed out.
"Oh," Draco said, snide despite the fact that he was obviously just worried about her. "I forgot that the three of you master criminals weren't anticipating any surprises. My mistake."
"Stow it," Effie snapped. "Stop being a twat."
" Effie and I are on the West side of the house now, first floor." Felix said. "Give us your exact position, Malfoy. The security charms are fucking with my tracker."
"Ninety seconds to alarm" Leolin breathed.
"How long will it take Adrian to get here once it sounds?" Draco said.
"No more than two minutes," Sweeney replied.
"Sixty seconds, " Effie said said.
Leolin burst in the lounge on the third floor, hurrying out into the corridor again and counting the doors. The next secret passage was in a study on the right. Merlin, forty-five seconds.
"Effie, I've just seen Rosier," Sweeney said. "He must have been left here to watch the place. "I think he's headed your direction," Sweeney said.
"I've got him," Felix said, and the sound of his spell cutting through the air sounded in their earpieces.
Leolin burst into the lounge. The watch on her wrist was flashing to warn her that she was within thirty seconds of the charm's expiration.
Will Avery was sitting in an armchair with his feet up when she burst in. He raised his wand far too late, and he was slumping unconscious before he could utter a word.
She grabbed him under his arms and began to drag him towards the hidden passage. As she worked, her watch beeped and a loud boom sounded.
"Bollocks," she hissed. "Fuck."
"Leolin," Draco said, sounding worried now. "Where are you?"
"Still on the third floor," Leolin said. "I'll be lucky to make it to two before the cavalry shows up. Felix, we're are you?"
"We're in the crypt now, but it's hard to navigate. Where are you, Malfoy? Your location keeps flickering."
"At the very centre," Draco replied. "We're in the red cellar. It passed the cells but before the wine cellar."
"Since we didn't grow up as English aristos," Effie said. "How are we supposed to tell red from white?"
"Are you serious?" Draco sneered imperiously.
There was a muffled sound that Leolin suspected with Sweeney slugging Draco.
"Damnit, McAngus!" Draco sneered. "Don't touch me!"
"Then don't be a bawbag to my sister," Sweeney shot back.
"Eff," Leolin said, head on a swivel now. "White will be smaller. And it will be chilled."
"Right," Effie said. "I think we're almost to you, Swish."
"Nay?" Sweeney said. "Anywhere close?"
"Not really," she admitted. "I'm still on three."
"Taking care of Sebasten," Draco said to Sweeney. "I'm doubling back for Leolin."
"Don't," she said. "You're only going to slow me down."
"They're here," Felix said quietly. "I just saw Rawle apparate on the lawn."
"We shouldn't have given the painting to Leolin," Draco grit out. "We could be unlocking the painting by now."
"So you've said!" Leolin snarled. "Shut up, you're not helping."
"We need to start moving," Draco said harshly. "We'll leave Sebasten where he is and run them in circles. Once we've knocked some of them off we'll double back."
Leolin was only half-listening, She'd just dropped down onto the second floor, landing directly onto the upstairs dining room. The china on the table cracked loudly under her feet.
"Bollocks," she cried tearing across the table and leaping onto the floor.
"What was that?" Sweeney asked.
"Who leaves bloody china on the table between meals?" Leolin hissed.
She burst into the corridor. Still empty. The next passage down was the billiards rooms, all the way on the opposite side of the manor.
She heard voices and slipped into a niche, crouching behind a statue of Salazar Slytherin. Her heart was in her throat.
"They're in the cellar," Rawle was saying. "And Athenos is gone."
"How do we know they haven't left already?"
That must have been Annalysse Blake.
"Athenos has a strong tracker on. If they'd gone, his alarm would be going berserk. Besides, there's no way they could get all that done in ten that short of time. They're all still here."
"You think it's more than one of them? I assumed Malfoy would work alone."
"Lefevre's with him, " Rawle was saying. "She's the art thief. He wouldn't be able to pull this off without her. I wouldn't be surprised if she brought some others along as well. The Borgias, maybe, or Brankovitch. Also could be that oily little bloke Chaisson. He seems to be cropping up more and more lately. Adrian said he was with Severina Borgia at King's Cross the other night."
They were heading towards her, and against her better judgment, Leolin's peaked her head out to watch them. Rawle was a handsome bloke upwards of six feet with dark skin and dark eyes, which sparkled with intelligence. Leolin thought it was the high arch of his dark brows that made him look so imperious as it always seemed as if he was peering down in distain. He often wore a tall collar with gave him a further air of intimidation and power, which he was wearing tonight.
Unlike Rawle, Blake had a face that one would be hard-pressed to describe as pretty. She had a heavy Russian brow bone with overly thin arches above it. Her cheek bones were prominent, almost too much so, and they gave her face an almost pouchy appearance. Perhaps her best features were her bow-shaped lips and dark eyes, which were hooded and large. Her hair was black, and it was scraped severely into a ponytail.
"You go and secure the painting," Rawle was saying. " I will cover the cell."
"Like Hell I will," Annalysse sneered, wand hand itching to draw it on him. "You don't outrank me, Tate. I'm not babysitting an inanimate object just so you can go be a hero in front of Adrian and get all the good assignments going forward."
"Don't be so paranoid," Rawle snarled. "I can't fucking stand how sensitive you and Thivierge are. I told Adrian not to hire women; they're pathetically over-emotional."
This time Annalysse did react. She drew her wand and hit him with a nasty hex. He bent double and cradled the left side of his face. It looked black and charred.
"You were saying?" Annalysse said, nonplussed.
"Damnit," Rawle hissed. "You've made your point. Undo it, already!"
"You're such a pretty boy," Annalysse sneered contemptuously. "You can't bare the idea that you might look ugly right now."
"Can you blame me?" Rawle spit. "Unlike you, I don't have much experience in that arena."
She zapped him again and the skin bubbled, and it smelled as if it might be burning.
"Fuck!" he cried. "Blake, you bitch! Put it back!"
Leolin watched as Annalysse sneered at him.
"Then apologise."
"Oh, fuck off," Rawle wheezed.
"Okay, I'll leave it that way," she said evenly. "Your choice."
"Merlin!" he swore. "It fucking burns! Undo it already, Anna!"
"Then apologise," she repated like he was an idiot.
"Or what?"
"Are you stupid? I don't undo the curse and you're a scarface for the rest of your life."
"Fine!" Rawle said, teeth gritting against the pain. "I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry—?"
"Fine! I'm sorry I said you were over-emotional and weak."
"Now admit that it irks you that I'm Adrian's new favourite."
"Can't admit to something that isn't true. You're never going to beat out Torrii with the dogface, Blake. She's the one fucking him, not you."
She clenched her jaw, and Leolin hoped she would just kill Tate and save them the trouble.
"Unlike Torrii," Annalysse said. "I have no desire to sleep with him."
"You should tell him that," Rawle jibed. "He loves female rejection. Ask Lefevre."
"You really don't want me to reverse the charm, do you?" she said nastily.
"Do it or I tell Adrian what you just told me."
Her eyes flashed. She drew her wand and Leolin did think she was going to kill Tate, but instead she repaired the blistering skin and sneered at him.
"That's what I thought," he said, straightening to his full height and peering imperiously down his nose at her. "And I don't give a fuck about favourites. You two are welcome to fight over your place. I know where I stand."
"Tate," a disembodied voice called. Leolin shrank back. She was fairly sure that Tommy, though it was coming through Tate's comm. "Have you cleared every floor? Adrian wants to know."
"I am doing it right now," Tate replied, giving Blake a nasty look she returned. "I'm with Blake. We're on two."
"Tell me you've found Lefevre," Tommy said. "Adrian's going to be in a right state if he doesn't get his hands on her tonight."
"How are we so sure she's here?" Annalysse said. "I would think Malfoy would want to keep her out of danger."
"I thought I just saw Malfoy," Tommy explained. "If he's here, she's with him."
Leolin put a hand to her mouth and fought not to breathe.
"Where's Torrii?" he demanded.
"She and Montague went working their way up. They were on one, the last time I heard."
"Fan out," Tommy instructed. "Adrian wants this quick and tight. No mistakes, and no loose ends."
"Understood," Tate said, and the comm clicked off.
"Go to the third floor," Annalysse said. "We'll cover more ground if we split up. I'll keep going here."
Tate nodded.
"Fine," he said. "Happy hunting."
She sneered at his insinuation that she looked like a hound dog and started off in the opposite direction of him.
Leolin waited for the echo of their tread to fade before slinking carefully from behind the niche . Looking back towards the door of the dining room for a second, she tore off, rounding the next corner with such speed that she had to grab the wall to stay on her feet. She arced gracefully on the corner as if she were wearing skates on ice. Straightening just in time to watch a form morph out of the shadows.
"Lefevre," Victoria Thivierge exclaimed in delight, large eyes gleaming as they both drew their wands. Leolin was a hair quicker.
"Serpensortia!" she cried, and suddenly what were becoming her characteristic black mambas sprang from her wand, hissing and spitting at Torrii. She stumbling back several steps, misfiring the countercurse.
Leolin wasted no time, rounding the corner and tearing back the way she'd come. Suddenly she heard the hissing stop. Leolin glanced back just in time to see Torrii hurling a curse, and she barely deflected it.
"I wouldn't put our back to me, if I were you," Torrii warned, firing another.
Leolin glanced over her shoulder again. She was torn between fleeing and making a proper stand. As she turned to fight, Torrii fired a third curse.
"Expellarmus"
"Protego."
Leolin threw up a shield, but the blow had glanced off the charm's weak edge, and it sent her wand flying back. At the last moment, she vanished the painting into her cache, and luckily Torrii didn't seem to notice. Leolin silenced her earpiece as well. The last thing she needed was Torrii getting her hands on that.
Leolin heart thumped painfully as Torrii approached, smiling. Leolin felt a crucio coming on. She wasn't wrong.
She screamed and buckled, finally collapsing onto her back. Torrii watched, clearly pleased with herself. She cast it again almost casually, giving a high, girlish laughed when Leolin screamed again.
"Lefevre," she said, approaching slowly as Leolin scooted surreptitiously back. Her wand wasn't terrible far off. If she could kept Torrii distracted, she could grab it.
"What the hell are you wearing?" Torrii said snidely.
"Do you like it?" Leolin croaked, still moving. "I bet you Adrian will."
She wasn't quite sure where that remark was going to get her, but Torrii's sneer was telling.
"Are you in love with him?" Leolin said, trying to sound casual instead of terrified.
"What?" Torrii snapped.
"Adrian," Leolin clarified. "Do you love him? It's hard to tell."
Torrii's lip curled in genuine contempt.
"So you aren't," Leolin surmised, moving another inch or two. "I admit that surprises me. I was sure you were. So it's just the sex, then? That's interesting. Though I guess that doesn't shock me on your part. You're still young; I bet his power really excites you."
By now Leolin felt sick to her stomach, but she could tell it was working. Torrii was getting rattled.
"If I'm being completely honest, though," Leolin continued. "It does surprise me a bit on his."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Torrii grit out.
"Adrian loves women. He always has. You know, boobs and hips and curves. In all the time I've known him, which at this point is about fifteen years, I've never seen him go for someone so skinny."
Leolin had touched a nerve, she knew she had. Torrii looked equal parts furious and self conscious. Her eyes grew more fierce.
"Shut up," she snapped. "Just stop talking."
"Then again," Leolin said, ignoring her. "That's not insurmountable, is it? I want you to tell me honestly: has he ever made you take Polyjuice so you're me?"
Torrii looked murderous now, but it didn't matter. Leolin was mere feet from her wand. Her silence was telling, and Leolin felt the urge to cry bubbling up at the thought. She felt violated and unclean. However, she had to keep pressing.
"Did he love it?" Leolin said, trying not the think about what she was asking.
Torrii drew a long stiletto from where it had been laying snugly again her thigh. It gleamed in the moonlight.
"You can't use that on me," Leolin said, pushing laboriously into a sitting position. She was still too weak to stand. "Adrian would kill you."
Thivierge's eyes hardened, and Leolin was practically to her wand.
"No I can't," Torrii said, drawing her wand again. "You're right."
Leolin braced herself, but Thivierge did something she hadn't anticipated. Placing a hand on either side of her wand, she began exerting pressure. Soon the pliant wood began to crack.
"You're mad," Leolin said as the unicorn hair of the core shown in the darkness.
"What was I supposed to do after my wand broke in a duel?" Thivierge said as Leolin scrambled backwards. "I had to improvise!"
"You're fucking mad!" Leolin repeated. "And you still can't kill me!"
"Who said anything about killing you?" Thivierge said.
"After I'm done, I'll drag you back to Adrian and drop you at his feet. He'll be so happy to see you! Well, maybe not. I doubt he'll be so interested when you're hideous and covered in scars."
Leolin lunged for her wand, but Torrii clamped a heavy boot on Leolin's right ankle, twisting it uncomfortably. Leolin cried out, still reaching for her wand as Torrii kicked it away.
Torrii knelt down on Leolin's chest so hard Leolin thought she heard a rip crack. She continued to exert pressure as she forced Leolin back, jerking her shirt up to reveal her scar.
"It's prettier than I imagined," Thivierge sneered, tracing the scared with the tip of her blade. "I wonder what would happen if I tore it back open."
Leolin squirmed, knowing in reality that she'd have to wait from Thivierge to assume a more vulnerable position before she could strike. She thought about Draco has said about her being a Black Mamba; perhaps he hadn't been so far off after all.
"I won't start there, though," Victoria mused to herself. "I think we should go for something more…visible."
Leolin gave a ragged gasp, which only prompted Torrii to press harder.
"I don't know why everyone is so enamoured with your tits," Torrii snarled. "They make you look like a pregnant cow. Still…" she trailed off. "Adrian seems to like them."
She arced the blade across the top of Leolin's right breast, making her scream in pain. Rubies bubbled from the cut, and Leolin screamed again.
"I just don't think they'll be as lovely covered in scars."
She slashed from left to right this time, causing a new gash.
"Stop!" Leolin said, forgetting her scheme in the light of the pain. "Please! Adrian will be furious!"
"But it wasn't me," Thivierge said. "My wand got snapped by one of your stupid friends and I had to find another. That's when I found Gibbon up here trying to take advantage of you. I killed him and took his wand, but there wasn't time to sit here and heal all these cuts. Gibbon used one of those hexes when he was done that made healing the cuts impossible. Everyone knows what a sadist Gibbon is. He loves roughing people up. He's sick like that, and now you're going to have all these nasty scars."
She yanked Leolin's bra down and Leolin felt her cheeks flush in humiliation.
"Merlin," Victoria said hatefully. "They look even more fake when they're naked."
Disgusted, Thivierge reached forward and grabbed one.
"Ugh," she said, sneering. "They feel fake, too. If I cut one, will it deflate?"
Leolin tried to think through the swelling pain and the humiliation. Her moment to strike was approaching. She needed to be ready.
Thivierge made three diagonal cuts away from the sternum on both sides. There was blood everywhere now, and Leolin was near tears. Thivierge one last cut across the tops then sat back, admiring her works.
"You're disgusting, Lefevre. I don't even want to look at you."
She leaned back, laughing to herself and preparing to hurl the hex. The pressure was much less now, and Leolin wasted no time. She pushed forward with all the muscles in her core, knocking Thivierge off balance and the knife out of her hand. She yanked down her bra and got a good punch in before Thivierge wiggled free, going for her knife.
That was interesting; Torrii was weak at hand-to-hand, though it was hardly surprising. Her arms were like twigs. Still, it would be important to remember.
Leolin grabbed for the knife too, but Thivierge got there first.
"Now I can kill you," she grit out, fighting Leolin's strength to push the knife into the hollow of her throat. "It was self-defense. You tried to kill me first."
For such a slip of a girl, she was very deft with the dagger, and she was gaining on Leolin. Leolin's heart was pounding. She never imagined she'd die like this.
Suddenly there was a flash of light behind Torrii's back ,and the younger girl fell unconscious to the floor. Leolin pushed her off, looking around for her savior. HOwever, there was no one around.
"Swish?" she called. "Felix?"
No reply. It was odd, creepy, even, but Leolin had no time to contemplate. Giving Torrii a swift kick in the stomach, she grabbed her wand and the knife, still covered in her blood. Gingerly she tried a rib. It was definitely cracked. The adrenaline made to easier to avoid the pain, and she sprinted down through the first floor and to the cellar.
"Swish!" she called. "Eff! Where are you?"
"In the centre," Felix said. "We've lost them for now, but it won't be long before they're back. Do you have the painting still?"
"Yes," she said. "And I'm headed your way."
In what felt like sheer blind luck, she didn't make any wrong turns, and she burst into the red wine cellar several minutes later to find Effie, Sweeney, Felix, and a very frail-looking Sebasten. He was in his late forties with dark hair and grey streaks, and he looked remarkably like Aleco and Myles. However, now he almost looked like a corpse. His cheeks were sullen, the skin stretched tight across his face. There were bags under his eyes, and they were purple from lack of sleep. Adrian must have been forcing him to stay awake in an effort to induce deliriousness. Just the idea made her feel sick.
"Sebasten?" she said, kneeling at his side. "Are you alright?"
"Fine," he said, giving a weak cough.
She nodded and turned to the others.
"Where's Draco?" she asked in a panic.
"What the hell happened to you?" Felix asked, eyes arching across her ruined chest.
"Thivierge," Leolin said simply, as she and Sweeney frantically unrolled the painting.
"He's getting Pucey off our back. It's been a bitch; Pucey knows this place top to bottom."
"He should," Felix said. "He designed it."
Suddenly there was a booming knock on the door.
"It's me." Draco wheezed. "Let me in! For fuck's sake, let me in!"
Leolin did as she was bid and Draco tumbled in, slamming the door behind him.
"We don't have much time," Draco said. "Adrian, Rawle, and Tommy Pucey are two minutes out, if that."
"You're sure you have the original painting?" Sebasten said, taking Leolin's proffered hand and getting to his feet. "You are all in useless danger if it is not."
"Yes," Leolin said, and finally it was unfurled. "This one is yours."
"Yes," Sebasten again. "I can feel it working. This painting has been in my family for generations. This secret has never supposed to see the light of day."
"He's got a point," Felix said. "We should just burn the painting now. Then they'll have no way to get what they're looking for."
"They still will," Draco corrected. "Audige knows this secret. We can't afford the possibility of Adrian bleeding him dry and finding out the truth. We have to get to it first. Best offense is a good defense. Go, Sebasten, hurry."
Sebasten stepped squarely in front of it as Draco glanced at the door. Right before their eyes the painting began to change.
Of course as magical folk they were all accustomed to seeing paintings moving. However, this was different. The minute Sebasten was in front of it, the space began to morph. It was as if they were traveling into the painting. As they slipped nimbly between the figures of Hynos and Thanatos, an eerie green torches blazed to light, finally illuminating the figure in the background.
Leolin couldn't previously have imagined any depiction of Charon being more terrifying than Michelangelo's, but this one was. Charon's lips were skinned back from his rotting teeth, his oar gripped in a skeleton hand. His eyes bulged, the whites of them blazing.
"Merlin," Felix stammered. "qui est terrifiant"
"The coins?" Sweeney said, voice quaking. "Are they inside the painting?"
There were shouts around the corner. Leolin recognised Adrian's voice. When he and Rawle rounded the corner he'd have them.
"We have company!" Draco cried, and he was Sweeney drew their wands ready to strike.
"Έχετε πληρωμής. Πάρτε μου όλη," Sebasten murmured frantically.
Slowly the figure of Charon cocked its head before uncurling his tight right fist to reveal two coins.
"There they are," she breathed. "Those are the obols we're looking for."
There were shouts, and they were barely able to scramble out the back entrance as Adrian stormed through the front. He was on them now, and Draco hurled a curse that Adrian dodged. They began a nasty duel.
"Swish now!" Effie screamed
Sweeney yanked down the painting and began rolling it into a canister as Draco and Adrian fired hex after nasty hex. Most missed or were parried, but Draco'd nearly managed to kill Adrian with an invisible hand around his throat, and he responded by conjuring a whip. When it touched Draco's skin, it sizzled and he cried out
By this time Sweeney had drawn a second canister, tossing Leolin the first.
"What are you doing?" Sebasten demanded.
"What we do best," Sweeney said, darting out the door and heading right. "Misdirection."
"Tate!" Adrian screamed. "Get MacAngus!"
Leolin took off left. She smashed a vial of instant darkness powder, blackening the whole corridor. Leolin could hear Adrian and Draco both coughing.
Adrian, who had better eyesight than Draco, recovered faster, shouldering past him and after Leolin. By the time Draco straightened they'd both gone.
"I'm going after Leolin!" Draco cried. "You two find Sweeney and meet us out beyond the gates," he told Felix. "Effie, help Sebasten. As soon as we're all outside the charm we'll apparate out."
They all took off.
Leolin could hear Adrian's tread, but he was a good distance behind her. Draco, she feared, had gotten ensnared in the labyrinth. This was her best chance. Kneeling down, she quickly unfurled the canvas and drew out her pocket life. As she leaned over the painting, blood dripped onto the canvas. In three quick arcs she'd cut out the middle bit and deftly re-rolled it, stuffing it in the canister just as Adrian appeared.
"Give me the painting, Lefevre," he snarled.
She threw it at him and took off as he greedily unscrewed the lid. She was a ways away when she heard him scream in frustration. She turned the last corner to the hiding spot and realised it was a dead end. Fuck, she thought desperately, anxious tears already shining in her eyes. She has miscalculated what part of the labyrinth she was in. Vainly she tried to apparate out, even knowing she wouldn't be able to. She pounded on the stone manically, hopelessly searching for a way out. There wasn't one. She was stuck.
Lay-oh-leen," Adrian said in a mocking sing-song voice.
It echoed menacingly off the stone walls. Her heart hammered in her chest and she bit her lip, which had begun to tremble furiously. She was terrified of Adrian and he knew it. She thought of how he'd stripped her naked and broken her wrist and she fought savagely not to cry.
"I know you're still here, angelfish," he called nastily. "There's no way out at this end of the manor."
Leolin readied the last of her darkness powder. If she timed it right, she could muscle past him while he was incapacitated. He rounded the corner at last, his tawny eyes finding her.
"There you are," he said greedily.
She waited until he was halfway down the hall before hurling the powder. However, he was ready this time.
"Arresto Momentum," he cried, and the bottle stopped midway to the ground. "Accio," he snapped, and it flew into his hand. He tucked it into his pocket and sneered.
"Didn't really think you were going to fool me with that twice, did you? He asked scornfully.
His smug look didn't last. Suddenly he was frowning.
"What happened to you?"
She didn't reply, mind reeling. Could she get to her wand before he could get to his? She went for it, but suddenly he was on her, slamming her head against the brick as his hand went to her throat, examining her cuts.
"These are nasty," he commented. "Who gave you these?"
"Let go," she whispered, breathless with fear as she tried to peel his fingers away.
Adrian brought his wand up and began muttering healing spells, and Leolin could feel the cuts suturing. He'd kept them from scabbing and forming scars.
"Much better," he said in a self-satisfied voice, running a thumb almost lovingly back and forth across the slim column of bones that made up her neck.
"Get off," she said, unable to keep a hint of pleading out of her tone as the tears sparkled, threatening to fall. She was vaguely afraid he was going to crush her windpipe. "Adrian, please. I gave you what you wanted."
"Oh you mean the painting you gave me with the most important part missing? Yes, how very helpful of you. Where are you hiding that scrap?"
She raised a hand to strike him and escape, but he caught her sore wrist and she cried out.
"Still haven't gotten this bone reset, Leolin?" he goaded.
He squeezed harder.
"Fuck off," she cried. "Let go!"
She struggled despite the pain, and growing annoyed with her antics he released her wrist, raising his right hand back, and hit her across the face with incredible force. She crumpled, cradling her cheek. He was wearing his customary insignia ring, and the flat, heavy face had cut her just above her eyebrow, and she could feel the blood seaping down her cheek.
"One last chance, Lefevre," he sneered. "Give me the obols."
"No," she breathed, still crumpled at his feet. "Never."
He drew his wand, forcing her to her feet like a marionette doll.
"Then I'll just have to search you myself," he sneered, grabbing her by the upper arms.
"Get off!" she screamed, struggling viciously against him as his hands slithered around her hips, forcing them against his.
"Then give me what I want!"
She continued to struggling without answer, and he and he yanked the middle of the jumpsuit's neckline so hard it ripped, the thin strap hanging limply over her shoulder and shamelessly exposing the black silk bra and the heaving breasts it contained. He groped them for no particular purpose and she squirmed.
She was crying in earnest now, ashamed but unable to help herself.
"Tell me where you've hidden it or I'll keep going," he threatened.
"Stop!" she cried, years of humiliation and abuse bubbling up as she tried to fend off his assault. "Adrian stop!"
He didn't.
"Keep being difficult," Adrian growled. "When I get you naked I'm going to find it anyway."
His ran a free hand down her stomach and between her thighs, which she instinctively squeezed closed.
"What do you think, Lefevre?" he breathed, working against the muscles in her legs. "Should I finish what I started in New Orleans?"
She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself not to think about Audige's court as his deft fingers battled against the vice of her thighs.
"Maybe you want me to touch you," he goaded, his cool breath rippling her dark hair as he laughed down at her. "Is that it? C'mon, Lef, don't be shy."
His fingers flitted back up and dragged softly across her breasts. The feather light touch caused goosebumps.
"Stop!" she sobbed before he could do more. "Just stop and I'll give it to you!"
He retracted his hand and gave her a little space, and she bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut to keep at least some of the tears at bay. Reaching down with shaking hands, she pulled the scrap from where she'd hidden it in her bra and he laughed outright, gold eyes glinting.
"You would, you little whore," he said, grabbing the scrap from her hand. He laughed in triumph as eyes swung greedily across the obols in Charon's extended hand.
"Finally," he breathed, straightening to his full height as he tucked the scrap in his pocket. "Come along, you," he said, darkly. "Let's get Malfoy and go celebrate."
He dragged her down the corridor to a study, the walk giving her time to finally stop crying. After a few minutes they arrived on the first floor. A fired burned in the hearth, and it cast creeping shadows on the floor. Her temple had begun to ache from where he'd hit her, and she was painfully aware of all her exposed flesh.
"What are we doing here?" she demanded.
Adrian gave her a hard look, crossing one lithe arm over the other.
"Patience," he warned.
Leolin realised too late. She was still wearing her tracker. They'd think she was waiting for them.
"Fuck you," she said in quiet but venomous voice.
He raised his eyebrows mildly, though his eyes glittered like dragon's gold.
"Someday soon you will," he agreed.
Then the door burst open to admit Sweeney and Felix.
"Nay, thank Merlin—"
"No! Go! " Leolin screamed. "It's a trap."
Leolin was struggling to free herself from Adrian's vice-like grip, and in response he backhanded her so hard again she crumpled to the ground.
"Nay—!"
"Expelliarmus," Adrian sneered over Sweeney's useless cry.
Their wand arced through the air, and Adrian grabbed them before tucking all three stolen wands, Leolin's included, in the front pocket of his jeans.
"Petrificus spathulas."
The boys began to struggle, but their legs were cemented down by the spell.
"There, that's better," Adrian said calmly as Leolin struggled to her feet. The cut was bleeding more steadily now, and the skin was red and contused. He grabbed her by the upper arm so his lips were against her neck. "Don't you think, Lefevre?"
He raked his teeth across the shell of Leolin's ear and she was choking down sobs again.
"Je vais déchirer le visage," Felix snarled, vainly fighting his frozen legs.
"I have no idea what you just said," Adrian replied, giving Felix an imperious look. "But whatever it was, I seriously doubt it."
"Never say never," Felix snapped.
Adrian locked Leolin's legs into place before going nose to nose with Felix.
"Never," he snarled quietly. "How's that?"
"Fuck you, you stupid English cunt!" Sweeney cried.
"Save it," Adrian said lazily, silencing Sweeney.
"Now where were we, Lefevre?"
His left palm scraped up her flat stomach and she hissed her displeasure. Her temple was throbbing worse than ever, and her cracked rib was making it hard to breathe. Her torn strap hung limply over her shoulder, and she felt ashamed at how much the bra beneath was giving away. Adrian was so close to her that she could feel his cool breath falling onto the part of her breast not sheathed by the silk. She hated herself for being so stupid and vain. If she hadn't been so intent on torturing Gen, Adrian wouldn't be getting in such prize-winning humiliation.
"Oh that's right," he said in mock revelation. "We're waiting for Malfoy."
As if on cue, Tommy—Adrian's little brother—and Rawle strode in. Tommy had Sebasten by the arm and Rawle had Draco by the collar. Draco must have put up a hell of a fight, because Rawle's face was swollen and bloody
Annalysse and Graham Montague strode in behind them as Tommy sealed Sebasten's legs and Rawle kicked Draco in the back of the knee, forcing him to the ground.
"Gang's all here, then." Adrian said sardonically. "How very thrilling."
"Where's Thivierge?" Leolin bit out, desperately trying to gain back ground.
"Don't make me hit you again," he warned lazily. "Where's Torrii?" he snapped at Rawle.
"I don't know," Tate said. "I haven't seen her."
"Whatever," Adrian said. "I will deal with her later. Now, since I finally have you all here, I want to chat. Tell me what you got out of Audige."
"Fuck off," Draco sneered.
Rawle landed a kick to his stomach and he groaned.
"Why don't you try again? What did Audige tell you about summoning Bones?" Adrian repeated.
Rawle kicked Draco again.
"Stop!" Leolin cried.
"Again, Tate," Adrian said, and Rawle raised his boot.
"Adrian, please!" Leolin begged. "Just make him stop and I'll tell you!"
Adrian nodded to Rawle, looking smug. Leolin knew he derived a sick pleasure in forcing her to plead his name.
"Well?" Tate sneered.
"Once you have the coins," she said, trying to improvise a convincing lie. "You do a charm and Bones comes to you."
"What charm?" Adrian pressed.
"I don't know," Leolin said. "He wouldn't tell us and then he disappeared."
Adrian narrowed his eyes, scrutinising her.
"You're lying," he surmised. "You have no idea what to do with them. Audige didn't tell you."
"No, I—"
"Your pathetic lies aren't going to help him," Adrian sneered, and Tate punched Draco in the face again.
"Adrian," she begged. "Please stop!"
He glanced at her, eyes hooded and glittering.
"What will you give me if I do?"
"I—I—"
"I—I—" he mimicked cruelly, nodding at Tate.
He kicked Draco this time.
"Anything!" Leolin burst. "I'll give you anything!"
"Nay!" Effie said, but Annalysse tugged her by the hair, forcing her into silence.
Adrian turned his full attention on Leolin now, who shrank down a little.
"A tempting offer," he said, grabbing her by the arm, and pulling her towards him. "However, unfortunately not one I can take you up on today."
"Please," she whispered. "Just stop hurting him."
His eyes danced, across her face, drinking in her anguish.
"Fine," he said. "Tate, let him be."
Despite his beating, Draco looked resolute.
"Let her go or I'll kill you," Draco snarled.
"Oh enough with all the idle threats," Adrian snapped. "They're so tedious. Make another one and I'll give Lefevre a matching bruise on the other cheek."
Draco looked ready to bite something out, but he glanced at Leolin's teary eyes and fell silent.
Suddenly there was a shift Leolin couldn't identify at first. However, she realised after a moment that her legs had been freed of their binds. She caught Felix's eye. His had been as well. Leolin had no idea how or who had freed them, but she thought of Torrii being stunned.
"Let her go," Sebasten said in a quiet but solemn voice.. "I'm the one you want."
"I don't need you anymore, old man," Adrian said calmly. "You have nothing to offer me. Lefevre, on the other hand, is a very valuable commodity. Isn't that right, Leolin?"
He laid his cheek against hers, and she cried in pain as he put pressure on tender, contused skin.
"You might want to reconsider, Adrian."
They all turned to look at Graham Montague, who had Tommy around the neck, his wand jammed into Tommy's back. His eyes were blank and his tone colourless, almost as if he was sleep walking. Had it really be Montague helping them all this time?
Both Anna and Tate reacted, but Adrian waved them off. Isobel had been spot on; Adrian was desperate to protect Tommy.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Adrian sneered as Tommy struggled against Graham. However, Graham had fifty pounds on Tommy, and he was unmoved.
"Isn't obvious?" Graham went on it the same flat tone.
"No," Adrian sneered, wrapping a hand around Leolin's throat to prove he meant business. "You don't have the fucking stomach."
"Don't I?" Graham continued in a hollow voice. It was odd, but it almost looked as if he wasn't blinking. "I'm tired of being your pawn."
"I swear to Hades, Montague—"
Graham's grip on Tommy tightened, and he raised his wand to the latter's neck.
"Maybe Malfoy will offer me a better deal."
"Don't—"
"Guttergio"
And invisible knife slid across Tommy's throat as he gurgled on blood.
Graham shoved him at Adrian, who released his grip on Leolin to catch his brother, who was already fading fast.
Both Annalysse and Tate fired curses at Graham, but it was Annalysse's which found it's mark.
"Avada Kadavra."
Graham slumped lifeless to the floor as Adrian tried vainly to staunch the flow of blood. He was too late; Tommy was already going milky , still in shock from what had happened, snatched the wands, now forgotten, and Charon's painted obols. Draco swiveled and kicked Rawle hard in the chest.
"The floo!" Sweeney cried.
In reality the whole thing hadn't lasted more than thirty seconds, but for Leolin time seemed to have slowed. She watched Sebasten and Sweeney disappear through the floo as Adrian collapsed to the floor, cradling his brother. Leolin had admittedly never seen him so disarmed. He rocked Tommy back and forth, seemingly oblivious to the chaos around him as he begged his brother to come back.
Felix had also disappeared through the floo now, Blake on his heels. Rawle was hurling curses wildly, all of them off target.
"Leolin!" Draco cried, holding a hand out to her. "Now!"
She looked back one last time even as her hand touched Draco's and they were pulled into the green flames. Adrian wasn't even watching them. His eyes were downcast, and Leolin watched as his tears fell on Tommy's cold skin.
"Go!" he screamed finally, eyes wild with grief. "Get after them!"
Even as Tate lunged, she and Draco were already up the grate.
Mid-floo, Leolin felt Draco moving.
"We're apparating out of here," he said, his voice distant. "Hold on to me!"
"Can you even—"
Suddenly they were jetting up the floor and out, squeezing through the tight tube of apparation. Leolin buried her head in Draco's chest. With a painful pop, they thudded on the villa's manicured lawn. Leolin fell to hands and knees and threw up.
"Leolin—" Draco said protectively, but he had no time for more, because Gen was sprinting across the lawn to him, slamming into his as he groaned in pain.
"I'm so sorry!" she said, softly touching his face. "I didn't mean to—are you alright? What happened? Merlin, thank the stars you're safe. I was worried sick."
She showered soft kisses on his face, his lips, and his neck, but he was barely acknowledging her, eyes on Leolin instead, desperately drinking her in. By this time she'd risen to her knees, the gravity of everything that had happened weighing her down like a lead cloak. Leolin remained immobile until a familiar hand extended down to her. She took it gratefully, and Felix tugged her gently to her feet. His hand ghosted across her battered left cheek, looking pained. She tried to pull her right strap up to its proper position, but the gaping tear down the garment sent it drooping back down, exposing her partially naked breasts. She gave an ashamed sob then tucked into Felix's warm embrace, resting his head soothingly atop hers. Draco was still watching them greedily, very obviously desperate to take Felix's place.
"Leolin," Felix breathed, eyes impossibly sincere. "Are you alright?"
She instinctively tried to raise the strap again, and Felix quickly drew his wand, repairng the tear before placing the strap carefully on her shoulder. She nodded, hugging him again.
"What happened?" Gen said, watching Leolin with what actually looked like genuine remorse.
"Tommy Pucey's dead," Draco said gravely. "Graham Montague killed him."
"Why?"
"We don't know," Felix admitted.
"Did you get what you were looking for?"
Leolin nodded, holding up the scrap.
Suddenly there was a commotion, Narcissa burst through the front doors, sobbing. Aleco, Petra, Myles, Marina, and Dimitri were on her tail, and Sebasten's friend Elias trailed behind.
"Sebasten," Narcissa cried. "Oh my gods. Sebasten. I was so worried!"
She touched his hollow cheek.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"I am now that I see you," he said. "How I have missed you."
This only made her cry harder.
"I love you. Thank Merlin you are back."
Finally, she reluctantly relinquished her grip so Sebasten could greet the boys.
"Bampás," Aleco breathed, hugging him first. "Échoume éleipses"
"I've missed you, too, Aleco. Myles, come here. Dimitiri."
They both came, folding into their frail father's embrace as if they were still small children. Dimitri was crying, hugging his father tightly.
"Bampás," Dimitri snipped. "I've missed you so much."
"And you," Sebasten said as the girls approached.
"How do you feel, Bampás?" Marina said, taking his hand. She was a healer, and she was giving him a critical look.
"Good," he said. "Great, now that I am with my family again."
"Tomorrow we start fattening you up again," she said, hugging him. "Petra will make sure."
Sebasten laughed, hugging Petra now.
"I have no doubt, kóres mou."
By this time Marina had flitted to Draco.
"Oh Drake," she said, subtly forcing Gen to let go so she could examine him. "You look like shit."
He laughed then groaned. He must have broke a rib or two as well.
"You're such a brat," he said congenially, and she laughed. "And don't worry about me. Help Leolin."
"Oh you poor thing," Marina said, coming over. "Are you alright? Let me see?"
She approached, grabbing Leolin's chin gently. She had a healer's practiced touch.
"Come inside, agápi̱," she instructed, ushering her forward. Petra came over, too, putting a soft blanket over Leolin's shoulders. "I can fix the swelling and the pain and give you something more comfortable to wear."
"We have food, too," Petra said. "And I'm not waiting until tomorrow, Bampás. You're going to eat tonight."
"I can't wait," Sebasten said, kissing Narcissa softly.
"Thank you," Leolin croaked gratefully to Marina. "Can you also—" she drew her wand to reveal her battered wrist. "—this too?"
"Oh Leolin," Marina cooed sympathetically, examining the bone's incorrect angle. "How long have you this?"
Draco was watching the exchange, openly distraught by Leolin's battered state.
"Two weeks, give or take," Leolin replied.
"Did Pucey give you this?" Marina asked, still examining it.
Leolin looked down, ashamed. At this Draco drew his wand and clutched his apparation stone.
"I'm going back," he snarled. "I'm going to kill that sick son of a bitch right now."
"Drake—" Gen tried to hold his arm and he shook her off in agitation.
"He's weak," Draco said. "He's still mourning Tommy. I'm going back there to finish this once and for all."
"You can't," Felix explained. "We burned the connection."
"C'mon, Drake," Myles said. "You've been through enough tonight. Marina can fix you and Leolin up and we can all have a drink and celebrate being back together again. I think at this point you've earned it."
"He's right, Draco," Sebasten said. "There is no more to be done tonight except be happy."
Some of the tension in Draco's shoulders released, and he gave Leolin a look of longing that she returned. If she wasn't so ragged and fragile, she would run to him right now, consequences and fights be damned.
"C'mon," Narcissa said to them. "Come to the patio and we'll have a drink. C'mon Leolin, Marina will get you changed."
"I know I could use a drink," she admitted, smiling weakly. "I hope you have gin."
Aleco gave her a warm smile. She knew after everything they'd been through tonight that she was family now.
"In boatloads."
Petra gave her shoulders and affectionate squeeze.
"Shall we, then?" Sebasten offered, taking Narcissa's hand.
Leolin glanced at Draco a final time before nodding.
"Lead the way."