He’s trying todecodethe words.
Rorrik is looking for something. Researching so intently, he’s bleeding from his eyes. But from the hole in the wall next to him and the broken tables behind me, he’s not having any luck finding it.
Despite my loathing, some part of me feels sorry for him.
His voice echoes in my head.I like to break people. In fact, it might be my favorite thing to do. But you? You were broken before you even walked in here, hiding your shattered shards from the world with the tattered cloak of your pride. Honestly, it’s a little boring.
Maybe I don’t feel sorry for him after all.
Maybe he deserves to suffer.
I hope he never finds whatever he’s looking for. And I hope it eats at him day and night for the rest of his life.
Rorrik reaches for the book on the edge of the table. I’m about to turn and tiptoe away when he freezes with that unnatural stillness.
Slowly, he drops his nose to the open book and inhales, sucking the scent deeply into his lungs.
Realization slides through me. I left my blood on that book.
My pulse pounds in my ears and my every instinct goes on high alert. Rorrik raises his head, his eyes dark with vicious malice.
I hold my breath. Slowly, carefully, I take a single step back. Rorrik gets to his feet.
With no other choice, I duck, crouching in the shadows of the bookshelf. The pendant only suppresses sound. I’m not invisible.
“I know you’re here,” Rorrik purrs. “You better run, little rabbit, and hope I don’t catch you.”
My heart leaps into my throat but I force myself to stay still, even as my whole body trembles. I know what he’s doing. He knows he gave me the pendant, and if I run, he’ll be able to pinpoint exactly where I am.
And he’ll enjoy the chase.
Rorrik inhales slowly, audibly, his eyes turning glazed, almost sleepy. I shove my trembling finger in my mouth, licking any trace of blood clean.
The library doors open and I let out a shaky breath. Rorrik tenses, eyes lighting with predatory intent.
A low, male voice rumbles from the doors. I can’t hear who has entered, or Rorrik’s reply. I’m too busy crawling through the shadows, all my faith in the pendant around my neck.
I silently curse, unable to see the door without craning my head around the nearest bookshelf. Trembling, I inch closer to the side of the shelf, my body still in the shadows.
Rorrik’s gaze flicks to me, pinning me in place. He’s known where I was this entire time.
He turns his attention back to whoever has walked in, and relief washes over me, leaving me lightheaded. The question? Is whoever just entered scarier than Rorrik?
Unlikely.
“What are you doing in here?”
I freeze. This time, I recognize that low, hoarse voice. Tiernon.
Slowly, I get to my feet. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that Tiernon won’t allow Rorrik to harm me.
“I believe I know whyyou’rehere, brother. Attempting to find a way for your little novice to hide her newfound power?”
I go still. Is he? I feel like an idiot standing in the shadows while Rorrik knows I’m here, so I round the shelves, meeting Tiernon’s eyes.
He frowns.
“You should know better than to spy on me.” Rorrik’s voice holds a lethal undertone, and I force myself to face him.
