“Who did this?” she asked.
“Me,” he tried to say, but the word was so quiet and thin that he wasn’t sure they’d even heard him.
Marlow pinned him with a seething glare. “The whole story, Aesling.”
August flinched like he’d been struck. She knew. And now, so did everyone here. A ripple spread through the patrons, whispers stirring like a rising wind.
“Start talkin’,” Marlow snarled, “or I’m sure a few of these wielders would love the chance tomakeyou.”
Petra rose to her feet, voice steady as she spoke to the room. “We’re closing early. Everyone out.” The patrons complied without argument, and she waited until the pub was empty before speaking again. “Tell me what happened.”
“There was a woman,” he started, pausing to work through what he’d seen, trying to make sense of it. “Something was wrong with her.”
“Wrong, how?”
The words finally broke free, pouring out in a torrent. “She was like a rabid animal. She tackled me to the ground and she was going to kill me and I don’t even know why. Then she went after Felix and I couldn’t let her hurt him, so I did the only thing I could think of to save him but he got hurt anyway.”
What if the dark had followed Felix back? What if he never woke up?
August glanced at his mother’s portrait. He’d used his power in the busy market square. The Watch saw. They recognized him. They knew. Word would get back to her.
He’d ruined everything. Would his mother have him arrested? He wouldn’t do well in prison.
“And what exactly did you do?” Petra asked. “To save him?”
August hesitated, and Marlow cut in before he could answer.
“He tore open the air and dragged Felix through. I saw it myself.”
Surprise flickered across Petra’s face. “I’m sorry—what?”
Their stares made August want to tear his skin off. He didn’t want to talk about this.
“I should go,” he whispered.
“I’ll drink to that,” Marlow said. “Go on back to your castle and that poison of a mother ya have and leave us be.”
“Stop,” August snapped. “I know I messed up, but you being an asshole isn’t helping anything.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re lucky I don’t skin you alive and deliver you to the castle gates in bite-sized pieces.”
“Stand down, Marlow,” Petra warned. Then to August, she said, “You’re staying.”
He assumed it was an offer, but it sounded like an order.
Marlow exhaled sharply, irritation rolling off her. “Change is comin’, Aesling. You’re gonna have to pick a side. Make sure it’s the right one.” She turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Petra sighed. “Mo Aesling,” she started, but he interrupted.
“Just August. Please.”
“Right. August, help me get Felix upstairs. I’ll make up a bed for you to stay the night.”
His brow cinched. “Why are you letting me stay?” Marlow had seemed eager for him to go.
“You brought my boy home to me. What happened tonight, wewilltalk about it, but it can wait. You’re not looking so good yourself. You both need rest.”
He took a shaky breath, and nodded. They hoisted Felix’s arms over their shoulders and carried him upstairs to bed.
