I stay quiet all the way there, lost in thought as I replay the scene from the ballroom again and again in my head. It isn’t until we reach my bedroom door that I realize the house never told us that another guest arrived.

“Liam—” I start, but Anna shakes her head.

“The house would have told us.”

I look back the way we came, as if Liam might suddenly appear in the hall. What could be keeping him? If he’d found those men and had them arrested, he’d be here by now, wouldn’t he? Unless he was still trying to track them down. Or unless— I stop the thought before it can form. Liam wouldn’t have let himself get hurt. He wouldn’t have left me here alone. He promised he’d be here.

I have to believe he will be, and until he gets here, it’s up to me to find answers.

Chapter 6: Anna

Early the next morning, just after I’ve gotten out of the shower and finished getting dressed, there’s a knock on my door. The sun’s barely up, which is one of the big downsides of living at Ravenfall: the only time I get to sleep in is on Saturdays, which is our day off from chores other than occasionally helping a guest. Though with Aunt Elaine back to help and Uncle Roy soon to return from Ireland, I’ll start getting Sundays off too.

My damp hair’s soaking through my sweater when I open the door to find Colin standing outside in a pair of dark jeans and a black flannel shirt. Max sits beside him.

Colin had been extremely quiet last night. He went to bed without saying good night, and I half expected him to be upset with me this morning and not want to work together anymore. What he learned is a lot to take in, and I didn’t exactly make it easier. Everything I said wrong is on replay in my head, and I make a vow not to mess up today.

Colin glances down at the cat. “I locked my door last night, but he was still on my pillow this morning.”

“He’s persistent.”

“He’s…a Jabberwocky?” He says the word uncertainly.

“You remembered.” I grin. “Gran says they’re super ancient, like the Shield, and might have even been created from it to guard the Shield and help maintain the balance between life and death. That’s why Max helps spirits cross over. He’s a kind of spirit himself!”

Colin’s expression brightens. “You mentioned the Shield last night. What is it?”