“No.” My voice is nearly a groan.
I have no regrets about last night. Only these feelings, confusing me and pushing me to move closer to him. I give into them, shuffling forward and letting my head fall forward, against his chest. “No regrets.”
“I’m glad.” He strokes over my wings. Rubs gently at the knots in my back from my rushed attempt. “It’s this feeling, then. You’re still getting it?”
I sit back, rubbing at my arms. “Worse. It’s getting worse by the day. But I only feel it here, around the temple. Not in the town.”
His lips press together as he looks up the steps, toward the main doors. “I’m going to speak to Petyr. See if there’s anything he’ll let slip about what’s going on.”
“Will he tell you?”
Slowly, his head shakes. “I doubt it. He has never shared his confidences with me. But I know him better than he realizes. If something is going on, maybe he’ll let something slip.”
He taps his head. “And I have other ways to read him. He knows how to play the game, but there is much to be found in the things he doesn’t say.”
Callan gets to his feet, his eyes soft. “I’m taking you to Esme. Rio will join you. I’ll send him a message.”
I nod, taking his hand. My closed fist rubs at my chest as we walk up and inside, making our way through the entrance hall.Thankfully, there are few people to be found here in the late afternoon hour, most preparing for the fancy charade they call dinner. I glance around, looking for any sign of the Metallurgist and my chest loosening when I don’t find him.
Callan snaps at the single Caelumnai who attempts to approach us, and I shrink back from the male and his dark red eyes. Like blood. He watches us leave. “Who was that?”
“Not someone you need to think about right now.” Callan swears beneath his breath, his arm slipping around me when I sag. He helps me up the stairs until he’s almost carrying me. “What’s wrong?”
The pain only grows worse. My eyes start to burn. “Callan—”
What is this?
“Almost there.” He bangs on my door. “Esme!”
Esme pulls it open, her eyes widening. “Selene?”
I cannot speak for the tears. I tap my chest, my voice a croak. “It hurts.”
A physical ache so deeply buried inside my body that I can barely stand it. As though an old wound has been torn open.
Callan lifts me, carrying me inside. “I’m going to get Rio and send for Matthias. And then I’m taking her out of here, Smee, but I need to speak with Petyr first. Stay with her.”
“Of course.”
The sob catches in my throat as he pulls away. Callan’s eyes blaze, his lips a soothing balm against skin that feels as if it’s being held to an open flame. “I’m going to fix this. We’ll find out what this is, Selene. A few minutes, and I’m taking you back to the house.”
I nod, bringing my knees up and hugging them.
I can’tstop. The pain only grows, even after the door closes. Esme swears beneath her breath. “Gods, Matthias, hurry up. Selene, you’re burning up.”
Cool, damp cloths land against my skin, but they make no difference. The pain is everywhere, a hundred different places across my body. Not an inch of skin feels untouched by it as my back bows.
Agony. As if hot pokers are being laid against my skin. Knives, slipping into my chest, my arms, my legs, stabbing me over and over again. My sobs shift into something sharper. Higher.Louder.
The door smashes into the wall.
Esme twists, a knife appearing in her hands, but she drops it. “Thank the gods. Something is wrong with her.Reallywrong. Callan has sent for Matthias.”
“Selene?” Rio’s face swims in my vision. He forces a smile. “Hey, sweetheart. You don’t look so good.”
That tug pulls at me again. I slam my hand against my ribcage, my lips moving in a silent plea for relief. Sweat pools at my hairline, under my arms.
Itburns, and I arch.
