I sigh. “I imagine he isn’t aware of the extent of my curse-breaking abilities.”
“Well the moment he learns, he’ll—”
“Kill me?”
“Yes.”
I chew on my lower lip. “If he kills me, Lore will kill him. If Dante were up to no good—which I truly pray isn’t the case—he’d go after Lore first, then after me.”
“Is that supposed to reassure me?”
“Look, Syb, I cannot go back. Lorcan can pluck every thought from my mind. Can you imagine if your thoughts were no longer private?”
“He can see into our minds?” Her mouth and eyes gape. “I thought he could only put images into them!”
I reassure her that the seeing bit only applies to his Crows.
“Can Crows see into his?”
“No.”
Her brow rumples. “Last night, it felt like the two of you were carrying out silent conversations. Canyousee into his mind?”
Since I don’t want to lie to my friend, I elude the question. “What time is it?”
“It’s time for you to tell me what the underworld is going on between you and Lore.”
“Nothing is going on between us. He’s engaged. Haven’t you heard?”
She flips onto her side to better scrutinize my face. “How do you feel about that?”
“I’ve no opinion on Lorcan’s betrothal.”
She snorts. “That’s funny coming from someone who has an opinion on everything.”
“Fine. Although I believe this game of thrones and alliances is ridiculous, I could not be gladder that Lorcan will soon have a wife. Once married, he’ll have no more time to eavesdrop on my thoughts.”
Even though I keep my gaze steady on hers, the rising corners of Syb’s mouth suggest that she’s not buying my earnest declaration. Andyes, it is earnest. I’m fucking ecstatic at the prospect of having my mind all to myself again.
Syb parts her lips, probably to pursue her little inquisition, but a succession of hasty plinks shears off her reply and draws her attention to the curtained window.
I think it must be a Crow and toss my legs off the bed to stand before they let themselves in. When the sharp raps start anew, I hook the heavy fabric and peek outside. My visitor isn’t feathered, but he is winged. With a sigh, I drag the curtain open.
Syb treads over to where I stand, bare toes poking out from beneath the hem of her dress.
The sprite’s mouth moves as though he’s bitten off a chunk of soft caramel. I tap my ear to signal that I cannot hear him. His lips part wider as he resorts to shouting. The glass must be thick because I still cannot make out his words.
“Syb, can you understand what he’s saying?”
“Nope.”
I try to unlock the window but cannot find the latch. “How do you open this thing?”
“You don’t,” comes a voice from behind me.
I spin around to find Imogen standing on the threshold of my bedroom.
“As for what he says, Dante Regio wishes an audience with you.”
