Heir of Pendel (A Pandoran Novel, #4) by Barbara Kloss

just…twisted my ankle. I'll be fine."
    Thaddeus cursed behind me and grabbed her hand, pulling her after him. I swore under my breath. I shouldn't have let them come. We hadn't even left the portal, and we were caught, outnumbered and vulnerable in a city none of us knew, and without magic to aid us. We'd have to stand and fight the Morts. Odds like these didn't usually concern me, but with Vera injured, I didn't think we'd stand much chance. Even if we somehow survived it, there would be the Italian government to contend with. Considering we'd just broken at least a dozen laws of the Magical Pact, we wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon.
    A throaty engine rumbled through the streets. I couldn't pinpoint its source, but the rumble revved. Suddenly, a pair of high beams blinded me. I held up my hands to shield the light from my eyes, straining to see as I ran. Thaddeus yelled something about the sky falling and it being the end of the world. A sleek, black convertible squealed its back wheels, spinning the car around and screeching to a halt right in front of us.
    A Ferrari.
    The man inside waved and yelled, " Get in !"

6
     
     
    DARIA
     
     
    "I apologize for my delay. It's been a rather long morning," Danton said as he led us out of the garden at a brisk pace. His tone was as dreary as the weather.
    I tried not to let my spirits dampen with it. "Should I even ask?" I asked. Our boots crunched as we stepped out onto the gravel path.
    He glanced sideways at me, giving me a tight smile before looking ahead. "Probably not, but Father has agreed. There are, however, a few…issues he wants to discuss with you."
    This didn't sound good at all. "Hm," I said. "So your father has agreed to what, exactly?"
    Danton veered us right, down the wide path leading back to the estate. "Don't worry. I made it very clear your offer remains contingent upon Orindor's aiding Valdon in this war."
    "Is that what took all morning?"
    Danton inhaled, lips tight. "Yes."
    "I'm not sure what the problem is. That was your father's original offer."
    "Yes, but we weren't at war when he made it."
    "Ah." Yes, this was sounding worse by the second. "I take it this is the issue your father wants to discuss with me?"
    Our footsteps crunched. "I believe so," he said, "though he wouldn't specify—not to me—but he wants to speak with you immediately."
    "Should I change first?" I asked, gesturing at myself. I was, after all, still wearing a riding ensemble. Hardly fit for discussing diplomacy with Lord Pontefract, my future father-in-law.
    Father-in-law.
    Ugh. The word made me cringe inwardly. This was not at all how I'd envisioned my future.
    "There's no need to change," Danton replied, "and I'd rather not keep him waiting."
    Danton opened the doors and led me inside, closing them behind us. Servants smiled at us as we passed, and many of the lady servants blushed as they looked at their lord—so much so I wondered…
    No, I couldn't and wouldn't wonder about… that . I had other, larger matters to handle, like saving the world. But saving the world wasn't progressing as fast as I'd hoped, and Danton's weary physique and evasive responses weren't helping my confidence.
    "By the way," Danton spoke in a gentler tone, "I hope you know I won't allow Lady Isla to spread any ill rumors about you."
    My cheeks warmed. "I was hoping you hadn't heard any of that."
    He squeezed my arm and glanced sideways at me. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I was glad you said what you did. In fact, I found myself rooting for you." I gave him a doubtful look, and he grinned. The blue in his eyes changed—deepened, almost, as if the ice in them were melting. "Not that I'm surprised you said any of it," he said, "considering your, ah, rather unbridled reputation. Don't get me wrong…I do like that about you."
    This time I laughed. "Well, you're one of the few."
    "I'm proud of you for having the courage to tell Lady Isla what so many others have wanted to say for a very long