Gone: A Shadow Slayers Story (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 3) by Nellie Steele (best books for 20 year olds txt) 📕

“You made it,” Marcus noted as he approached.

“Yep!” he said, his voice an octave higher than normal. He shut his eyes a moment, clearing his throat. “Yes, I did,” he reiterated, forcing his voice lower.

“Celine will be pleased.”

“I am too. I miss her,” he admitted.

“Shall we?” Marcus asked, signaling to the path leading toward the mill.

“Sure,” Damien said, feeling anything but certain. Damien followed Marcus down the path. He side-eyed him much of the way. He’d met the Duke on a few previous occasions, but he’d never been alone with him. Nor did he know much about the man.

“You’re quite brave, Damien. You didn’t hesitate when given the opportunity to visit Celine,” Marcus said as they descended a hill.

Damien wasn’t sure how he felt about receiving a compliment from the Duke. “I would never hesitate when it came to Celine. She’s my family and I love her.”

“Such loyalty, particularly for someone who isn’t really your family.”

“She is my family,” Damien insisted. “And I’d do anything for her.”

“Including slipping away from the Buckleys to visit her,” Marcus noted.

For the first time, Damien considered how foolish the decision was. No one realized what he was doing, no one could help him if the Duke was being disingenuous. He swallowed hard, realizing he may have just made the worst choice of his life. And possibly the last choice of his life. Still, he convinced himself, he had to for Celine. He couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see her in the flesh, to ensure she was all right. Visiting her in Shadow World was one thing but seeing her in person was another. Perhaps he could obtain additional information about how to free her. Damien eyed the Duke sideways. Then again, perhaps he was walking to his doom.

“I want to make sure Celine is unharmed,” he answered.

“You’ll find her quite well,” Marcus replied.

“Ha! Do you expect me to believe that?” Damien retorted, almost immediately regretting being so bold.

Marcus ceased walking for a moment, turning to Damien. Damien flinched, bracing himself. “Oh, stop that,” Marcus said, noticing his stance. “Despite the lore the Buckleys have fed you, I am not a total monster. I would never harm Celine.”

Damien raised his eyebrow. “I’m not sure anyone, including Celine, would agree with you.”

“Celine has been under their influence for far too long. Now, come along,” Marcus said, resuming his walk.

“How do I know you’re taking me to her?”

“Why would I take you anywhere else?”

“To kill me?” Damien queried.

Marcus rolled his eyes, stopping again. “I wouldn’t waste my time nor my energy killing you. You are insignificant to me.”

“Then why come to me at all?” Damien asked, suspicious.

“Because you are not insignificant to Celine. Now, I don’t have all day to spend with your ridiculous drivel, so if you are quite finished with your questions, please let us proceed.” Damien eyed him a moment as he walked ahead. Something struck him as odd in the last set of statements made by the Duke. “Are you coming or not?” Marcus shouted back to him.

There was no time to consider it now. Damien hurried behind him, catching up. “Yeah,” he answered.

“You’re too inquisitive for your own good, Damien,” Marcus chided. “It may get you into trouble one day.”

“Sorry,” Damien responded, “everyone says that.”

“It was you who determined the location of the painting, was it not?”

“Celine’s portrait? Yep, that was me,” Damien boasted, again regretting his imprudence almost as soon as he uttered the words. Marcus could not be happy that Damien’s investigative skills cost him Celine’s painting. “Well, I mean…”

“You’re too clever for your own good, too,” Marcus interrupted him. Damien swallowed hard. “Your talents are quite wasted as a human, you know.” Damien’s brow furrowed. He was about to object, to tell Marcus he’d never consider any offers he may extend when the mill came into view. “Here we are.”

“She’s at the mill?” Damien inquired, pretending to be unaware. Marcus smirked at him. “Aren’t you concerned that someone will stumble upon her?”

“Never fear, dear Damien. I am not foolish enough to leave something like that up to chance. As you Americans say: this isn’t my first rodeo.”

They entered the building and Marcus motioned to follow him downstairs. Damien followed, curious to determine how he would reveal Celine. As they descended the stairs, he glanced around the room. Movement caught his attention, and he gazed toward the door across the room. A small face peered out of the bars.

“Celine!” Damien cried, running to the door.

“Damien? Damien!” Celine cried in greeting.

Marcus strode over to them. “Here is your surprise, Celine. Are you pleased?”

Celine grasped Damien’s hand through the bars, smiling at him. “Yes, very.”

“Would you care to go inside?” Marcus asked Damien.

“Yes!” Damien responded.

Celine stepped backward as Marcus opened the door. Damien rushed inside to her. She wrapped him in her arms, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Damien!” she cried as she squeezed him.

“Celine, are you okay?” Damien asked.

“Yes, I’m fine. How are you? Celeste tells me you’ve been ill from the stress.”

“I’m okay,” Damien assured her. “I’ve been having… bouts of anxiety,” he said, dancing around the truth, “but I am fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. In a few hours after one of my… attacks, I am recovered.”

Celine nodded, understanding his meaning. “Oh, Damien, it’s so good to see you in person,” she said, wrapping him in a bear hug again.

“You, too. I’ve been so worried.”

“And now you can verify I haven’t harmed Celine in any way,” Marcus informed him.

“You’re keeping her locked in a cell like a prisoner!” Damien cried.

“Damien, hush,” Celine chided.

“I’ve done what is necessary to achieve the desired result,” Marcus retorted.

“Which is?” Damien questioned.

“None of your business,” Marcus countered.

“I beg to differ…” Damien began.

“Damien,” Celine cautioned, “let’s not spend what little time we have arguing.”

“Yes, Celine is correct,” Marcus agreed. “Particularly when there is such joyous news to share.”

“Joyous news?” Damien questioned.

“Why don’t you tell him, darling?” Marcus insisted. “I shouldn’t like to take the opportunity from you.”

“Tell me what?” Damien