Edward blinked, his eyes zeroing in on Darius and focusing. Then, his lips started trembling as he said, “Mr. Reid, I never would’ve expected to be able to see you again.”

Darius rolled his eyes. “By that, do you mean you’d die, or were you afraid I’d die?”

Edward faltered, then shook his head. “That’s not what I meant, sir.”

Darius smiled. “I know that, of course. I just find your way of putting things amusing.” They shared a glance and saw the relief in each other’s eyes. Bridget was still standing atop the pile of debris as she watched the two of them chatting away beside the tornado, and she shook her head helplessly.

Then, she cupped her hands around her mouth, channeled her life force to her throat, and said loudly, “Come on down! Mr. Reid, your mentor and that old man have left. We have to go after them.”

Darius frowned. He thought Teivel and the old man had been transported somewhere else, similar to what had happened to himself before. It turned out they’d actually left.

He