Draco raged and howled from inside but could not move a muscle. He had to crush those invisible manacles and rush after Elvein. It did not matter how, with truth or lie, voluntarily or by force! He will bring her back! He will bring her back to her senses! Sooner or later, she will realize that going back to Ekrizdis is madness! She will calm down and once again will be Draco's! But he had to stand up! He had to fight. He had to try!
Bartholomew's face was looming in his vision. He studied the young man's stone features as if reading his mind.
Great! What kind of help would squib be?! How did he even allow this to happen! How did he let her leave him so vulnerable?! But how would he have ever thought she was capable of something like that?
They will treat her. This will pass, and she will become herself again.
To his surprise, Bartholomew reached for Draco's wand and said:
"Son, I will release you, but you need to promise to listen to me before you go after her."
If Draco were capable of it, he would have laughed bitterly. How was Squib going to release him? Or tie him here? With a swift movement of Bartholomew, charm disappeared:
"But, how?"
"I am not a squib."
Malfoy stood up; he did not have time for it. Draco reached for his wand, but Bartholomew did not let him.
"First, listen to me, then do whatever you have planned. We both know that she can't be harmed right now."
Draco struggled a little, but Bartholomew raised the wand.
"Son, I'm doing this for you. I am not trying to change your mind. I just want you to know the whole truth."
There was unhidden determination in his voice, so Draco obeyed.
"You think that something's wrong with Elvein, right? Do you truly believe it's some sort of curse?" Bartholomew shook his head. "This is the part of my daughter, which she tries to hide her whole life. This is Veela's blood, pouring through her veins so generously. Today, for the first time, you saw her true color and what Elvein is like in rage." He sighed and continued. "What possibly have you done, Draco?"
"Ekrizdis survived. And I hid that from her."
Mr. Tempels sighed and shook his head in disbelief.
"I knew that. After she started... at nights..." His voice broke, and he shut his eyes. "It's my fault. All mine."
Bloodshot eyes found Draco, and he continued:
"Today, we both have lost Elvein. The Sooner you'll face it, the better for you." Strength drained the old man's body, and he slammed into the chair. "She can't be captivated. Their kind will be at your side as long as they wish it. No strength nor pressure can hold her; not fatherly love, nor a sense of gratitude. Nothing. The obsession will pass. Love probably never will. Save yourself, my boy. Don't turn into me."
He hid the face in his hands and went quiet.
Draco did not have time for the old man's crazy monologue. He was going to get Elvein back!
