As much as it felt like chewing on rotten leather, I had to make myself small and scared. I wouldn’t cower, but I would permit myself to seem meek, so I took a step backward, shrinking my shoulders inward and widening my eyes. “I wanted to see the library again,” I whispered, as if fearful.
“What were you and Dustin talking about when I arrived?”
“Nothing. You didn’t give us time to talk.”
Jett considered me with the same sly look he’d given Dustin. Apprehension plucked at the knotted bones of my spine as I wondered what was going through his head. Nothing good, I was sure.
The soldier lifted a hand to her ear, listening, I assumed, to an earpiece. “Sir,” she said, stepping flush with Jett. She shot me a curious glance before her attention went back to the youngest brother. “The jet’s ready.”
“Tell my brothers I’m leaving for a few days. They can deal with the shipment to the Emporium.”
“Will I tell them your—”
“No, I don’t plan on telling them where I’m going.”
My gaze sliced across the glistening sheen of sweat above Jett’s upper lip. And for a moment I swore I saw his hand trembling as he took the overnight bag from the soldier.
Jett turned to me, and the glow of amber firelight made his chilling smile even more sinister. “You’ve earned yourself a few days’ reprieve.” He stepped closer, and with his great height, he loomed over me. His voice was barely a whisper, but I heard every single word. “When I get back home, you and I are going to play a game of cat and mouse. It’s not only my older brother who loves tohunt.”
Inclining his head in mock politeness, he strode off. The soldier spun on her heel and followed.
Besides the spike of adrenaline rushing through my veins and pounding in my ears, came the rhythmic pattern of footfall, the swish of the library door opening and then closing.
Alone, I let fire breathe in my chest as I straightened to my full height.
Fuck him.
He thought to intimidate me, play a game, and hunt me like an animal.
Well, Iwasan animal, and he’d find that out when I took a chunk out of him.
Jett Crowther was going to learn the hard way that he wasn’t the hunter—I was.
I leaned my hip against the empty end of the table, near the leather armchair. Strewn across the tabletop were crystal tumblers and a half-empty bottle of whiskey. And at the table’s opposite end was a massive pile of books, some stacked neatly, others not so much.
The book in my arms was large and bulky. Curious as to why Dustin had wanted me to take it, I flipped it open. The parchment had creases and was worn, and the writing was smudged and faded. Flicking through the pages, I discovered partway through that the writer had changed. Someone new had taken up writing about strange critters and rare oddities. Their handwriting was neat and orderly, with an ink and quill—no modern ballpoint pens for us.
As I rapidly flicked through the book, something slipped from between the leaves and fell to the floor. Glancing downward, I saw a white envelope partially perched on the tips of my toes.
Bending down, I scooped it up. Someone had already opened it. The top was sliced a little rough, like a letter opener would do. Turning it over, my breath caught in astonishment as I took in the careful handwriting, recognizing it instantly.
The envelope was addressed to my sister, Evelene Wychthorn.
33
Graysen
Darkness embraced me like an old family friend. I sat on the balcony railing with a swathe of glittering stars piercing the blackness beyond and wildfyre casting a ghostly glow across the courtyard. A cool wind slid over my skin, carrying the low murmur of soldiers and the steady rhythm of boots on stone while my fingers folded and creased paper.
It was 3 a.m., and Nelle still hadn’t returned.
She’d slipped out while I was in the library with my siblings. When I left to head to Kenton’s wing, I’d sensed her hiding in the utility closet, waiting for me to leave so she could sneak in.
Then, mere minutes later, her eruption of rage razed along my bones, urging me to find her…find her now!
Before I knew it, I was at Kenton’s door, hand on the handle.
I can’t…I can’t…I can’t…
