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his brow with the back of his hand and breathed heavily. "Why am I getting so tired?"
    "Because now I'm taking even more of your magic. Soon it's going to hurt."
    Lucien strained hard, focusing on the tingling sensation on his neck, but a pain, similar to how he imagined it would feel to have a hot sword poke through his lungs, set his chest on fire. He growled a terrible cry, a sound he didn't know he could make.
    Henry slammed his fist on the table. "Fight me!"
    Lucien mentally pushed back, but the pain proved too great. He clutched his head and fell off the chair to the ground. The connection dropped, giving him instant relief. He sucked in great gulps of air.
    "This is going to take longer than I thought," Henry said. "Maybe we should try again in a few hours."
    Lucien dragged himself back into the chair, his hands and legs shaking. "Again," he whispered in between breaths. "And don't stop. No matter what."
    He couldn't stop, not if Eve was out there. He had to get to her before Boaz did.

5
     
    Eve tightened her grip around the steering wheel. The car's headlights lit up the winding road as she drove through a remote part of northern New Hampshire. It was pitch black even though the sun had set less than an hour ago. The New Hampshire forests had a way of making everything seem darker than they really were.
    The car's light was the only thing soothing her nerves right now. Never in a million years did she think she would return to her grandfather's house, but it was part of her plan. She needed information, and her aunt, Anne Segur, was probably the only one who could give it to her.
    It had been difficult to leave Dmitri and the sanctuary of the monastery. It was peaceful there, and she was safe. Besides, she'd never done anything like this before—actively seek out someone who wanted her dead. But she didn't have a choice. With Boaz still out there, the lives of everyone she cared about was at risk, especially Lucien's.
    Eve reached over and took Dmitri's book in her hand. A priceless gift. She'd read it cover to cover at least four times in the last few days. Ellenore had been an amazing person and a powerful witch. She cared greatly for everyone and had actively sought out Supernaturals in hopes of helping them learn a different way.
    There were also some powerful spells in the book; many were well past Eve's ability, but she would practice them all. She'd need every bit of help if she was to defeat Boaz.
    The headlights beam flashed on a closed iron gate just up ahead. Eve slowed the car and parked in front, the gentle hum of the engine idling low. She didn't remember the long lane to her grandfather's house having gates before.
    Then again, she  wouldn't have noticed if there had been gates, seeing how last time she was here years ago, she had been kidnapped by her grandfather and forced to fight her twin cousins. That had been a huge turning point for her, and not a good one. She had fought and won , thereby winning her grandfather's inheritance, but it had come with a price—her cousin's, Harriet's,  life.
    Eve stepped out of the car and approached the gates. It felt darker here, much darker than it had been when she left the airport two hours ago.  She tried hard not to shiver, but it came anyway.
    She glanced to each side of the blocked entrance, but couldn't find a box where she could ring the house. She inspected the gates. They weren't automatic, and she couldn't find a lock. With both hands, she pushed on the metal bars. They gave a great groan, but opened wide. 
    Eve ducked back into the car and drove slowly down the long private lane to the house. Trees and bushes on both sides of the road were overgrown—something she did remember. In even worse condition were the two lion statues in front of the house. One of them had been smashed into tiny pieces.
    What had happened here?
    Eve parked the car near the sidewalk leading to the front door. After a deep breath, she left the vehicle and took her time