How much better Balen’s brother would be, I couldn’t tell. But as they said in the mundane world, better the devil you know.
Chapter 27
Aerolus
Arim took Cadmus’ face in his hands. With a burst of light, he healed him.
I watched, pleased as my brother’s watery gaze returned to normal.
Arim stared with concern. “Are you sure you feel up to this?”
Cadmus nodded.
“I don’t suppose you’re going to tell me where you’ve been for the past forty-eight hours.”
“Ah, actually, someone at work got sick, and I —”
Arim held up a hand. “Forget it. I’ll drag it out of you when you’re asleep.”
I chuckled at the look of horror on my brother’s face.
Cadmus turned to me. “He can’t do that if I maintain my safeguards, can he?”
“Why ask your brother?” Arim drew a circle on the floor using a bowl of ash that suddenly appeared at his fingertips. “Where do you think Aerolus got his ability to read dreams? Not from your father.”
“From Mom’s side of the family?” Cadmus croaked, staring from me to Arim with bug eyes. “From you?”
“Ignore him.” I shot my uncle a look. “We have more important things to do than worry about what floats and sinks in your shallow mind.” Cadmus looked affronted, but I didn’t have time to soothe him. “Alandra is sitting in Aelle somewhere. Pray the Light she’s well. Because if she’s not, I’ll end them all.”
I could feel the storms building inside me, winds and thunder begging to be let loose. Lightning burned in my belly, the need for justice like a hunger that gnawed, unappeased.
A darker, deeper void than the one leading to Tanselm appeared on the floor.
“Step through it,” Arim ordered, waiting for Cadmus.
Cadmus took a step forward and stopped. He swore and shook his head. “I can’t.”
“Yes, you can,” Arim bit out, his patience seeming at an end.
“No, I honestly can’t. Something won’t let me leave.” Cadmus tried but seemed to have come up against an invisible wall. One that didn’t exist, because Arim waved a hand around freely.
My brother swore again. “Damn him!”
“I thought it was damn her, as in Ellie Markham,” Arim said dryly.
Cadmus blinked. “Ah, you know who she is?”
“Yes. I’m surprised she’s not here with you now.”
Cadmus looked ill.
I ached to find my affai, but concern for my brother reared. “What is it that you’re not telling us? Quickly, Cadmus. My future hangs in the balance here.”
I stared at the floor.
“As does mine. I can’t leave Seattle without, ah, protection.”
“Protection? What exactly am I?” Arim’s voice rose.
