“Linton.”
I attempt to see past him to my Kaitlyn, yet she has already gone, the door closing behind her.
My mate is sad and I hate being sad.
I do not want her to be sad.
“I am required,” I say, stepping to one side.
The brother follows my actions, keeping himself in front of me.
“I have been told you completed the maneuver earlier. I am pleased to hear it still does you good.”
“It has always assisted in clearing my mind of the thoughts which torment me,” I respond, still craning my neck to see if Kaitlyn has returned. “But what is on my mind right now is my mate.”
The brother makes a noise which sounds like it could be laughter.
“The pleasures of the flesh? I wondered when you would ever find those, assassin. You’ve been so good at keeping all at bay.”
His words are strange and instead of looking for Kaitlyn, I look at him.
Blue flares in his eyes and I can’t look away. The blue is mesmerising, a flame of perfection. Even though I want her more than anything, I can’t look away.
The flame dances. It dances like I danced. It makes my wings droop and my head feel like a stone.
“I need…Kaitlyn.” I stumble over the words. “I need…mate.”
“What you need, Linton,” he says, “is a rest and then to get back to work.”
“A…rest?” It’s becoming hard to think of anything other than the pinprick of blue. It’s growing larger and larger in my vision.
“A rest. When you came to us, you needed rest, didn’t you? And you need it once again. To clear your mind of everything which has gone before. To allow you to continue as you once were. Master assassin.”
“I…I…” The words desert me. My strength deserts me.
All I should want is my Kaitlyn. Instead I want to close my eyes and watch the flame over and over.
Watch the flame.
Watch the flame.
Watch the flame.
KAITLYN
Aloud noise shakes through to where I’m crouched, attempting to stop my tears because they’re doing no one any good. It’s enough to make me hiccup to a halt.
I shouldn’t have left Linton. If I really do care about him at all, we have to talk this through. We have to make a plan. One which doesn’t involve any fight.
Because the Faerie have pushed us to this point. And we shouldn’t be playing their games anymore. Instead we can get help from Reavely to ensure the lottery is stopped and no new humans are being brought to the Yeavering to serve the remaining Faerie.
As for Tam Lin, if he has any inkling we are aligned with the Barghest, then he’ll know it’s suicide to continue to pursue me. All we need to do is get a message to Reavely and Wynter.
She’s due to give birth any day now, and I won’t be bringing any of this to her door, but it doesn’t mean we can’t get the assistance we need, if I do it right.
But not here, not in this weird place with its hidden corners and soulless people. I can already feel it draining the life out of me and it will not do. I understand why Linton chose it, for itshigh walls and supposed magic. As far as I’m concerned, it did him no favours, and it will do me none either.
I dash the final drops from my face and stand up. The crash comes again, and this time I’m sure I hear voices nearby.
