Alina gave him a tiny smile, trying to play it off. "I guess my head wasn't built for spinny magic holes."
Lucien frowned, like he didn't like that answer one bit. He moved closer, protectively hovering. "We shouldn't have come through that one. I should've told you it's stronger."
Alina touched his hand gently, her fingers cool. "I'm okay, sweetheart. Just… give me a second."
He nodded slowly, though his lips were pressed together in a line now. She could feel him watching her every move, like a kitten guarding a fallen bird.
Just as she was about to lift herself off the cold floor, still a little dizzy, her hand trembling as she tried to find her balance,
a shadow fell across her.
She felt it before she saw him.
A strong presence. Her breath caught.
A hand appeared in her line of sight. Large. Steady. Held out in front of her with quiet authority.
She looked up slowly, and her heart skipped.
Dante.
