Something oily curled in her stomach. The Athatis were supposed to be immune to their affinities. To influence one would be an unnatural, vile act. To eventrywas an abuse of the partnership between them – an abuse of the power the gods had given.
Yet Aya hadn’t thought twice. And Brien and Tyr had inexplicably,impossibly, followed her command.
I was doing my duty. I was defending those I serve beside.
Did Will know what she’d done? Did he want Suja to uncover some unnaturalness lurking inside of her?
Aya’s mind snagged on the memory of her bonded. It was well known the Athatis could be lethal to those untrained to handle them. It was why they set so many precautions to keep them away from the townspeople. Whoever had released them must have had intimate knowledge of the wolves. They must’ve known where the barrier was, how to remove it, and that, for the most carnage, to do it during a hunt.
But none of that explained Tyr’s behavior. She’d seen him in a hunting frenzy before; had been able to pull him out with a simple command. But last night his expression had been vacant.
She met Tova’s gaze, and it was fear on her friend’s face as she whispered, ‘You could have been killed.’
The truth sat heavily between them. Death wasn’t a stranger, but that didn’t make it a friend.
Aya grimaced and waved her off as she swung her feet out of bed, the motion sending another spike of pain down her side. She eyed the maroon rug, wondering if her legs were strong enough to hold her.
‘I’m fine. But you … another Dawning, another dress ruined.’
‘This isn’t a joke. On my oath, Aya … what the hells were you thinking?’
‘He would’ve killed Tyr.’ The words felt like ash on her tongue.
She forced the other images away – those of Will’s blood seeping into the cobblestones and the way he staggered toward her, dropping to his knees through her pain. How she’d felt that spike of panic when she remembered he’d feel every moment of her death. How she’d desperately thrown out her power to save him, not even thinking of the impossibility of it or why she cared to in the first place.
I was doing my duty. I was defending those I serve beside.
Aya took a steadying breath as she gripped the mattress.
‘What do you think you’re doing?’ Tova watched her skeptically from her chair, her arms folded across her chest.
Aya shoved herself off the bed, gritting her teeth as the room swirled.
Slowly. She’d just have to go slowly.
She took a shaky step forward, using the iron nightstand to guide her. ‘I’m going to see my bonded.’ She grimaced as pain lanced her ribs, but she took another step. ‘Did Liam have any news on Ronan?’
‘Yes. Apparently Will sent someone else to speak with the gamblers since Lena was searching the territory. They said Ronan paid his debts a week prior and was bringing newbusiness consistently to the docks. They had no reason to kill him. Liam did see the body earlier this morning though – he said the wounds were made with a peculiar blade. Will wants him to check with the bladesmith today and see if she can tell us who purchased it.’
Aya grunted as she took another step toward her birchwood dresser. She shucked off her dirt- and blood-splattered clothes, trading them for a pair of dark pants and a long-sleeved black shirt. She limped slowly into her small bathing chamber, the marble floor freezing against her bare feet. She turned the faucet until the water ran just as cold and splashed her face. A bath would have to wait.
‘Has the queen sent for me?’ she asked Tova as she eased back onto the bed, her hands trembling at the effort of tugging on her boots.
‘No. She met with Will just after the attack. She wants you both torecover.’ Aya ignored her as she scanned the room for her coat and gloves, frowning as she found them tossed on the floor. ‘I needed somewhere to sit,’ Tova added defensively.
Aya huffed a laugh as she eased into both with infuriating slowness. But Tova’s face was troubled. She bit her lip as if considering what she wanted to say.
‘How did you get away?’
Aya froze, her fingers stilling on the edge of the glove she’d just finished tugging on. ‘Will didn’t regale you with the thrilling tale?’ she asked lightly.
‘He said he didn’t know. That one moment they were on him and the next they went for you, and that when you passed out, they snapped out of whatever daze they were in.’
Aya’s hands moved to the pockets of her coat as she gazed at her friend. She could lie. Gods knew she was an expert at it. But this was Tova – her best friend. Her only friend. One she already held too many truths from.
‘I think I persuaded them.’
The light in Tova’s eyes flared slightly as she grappled for words. ‘You … that’s not …how?’
