Except Silas had said “same as the last” while downstairs. So maybe the enemy was not just this woman’s own, but an enemy to all investors. Maybe Mothlock in its entirety. Philanthropists with a nemesis? Did they defy someone even bigger than themselves?
When she was through, every line and whorl exact, Lux dragged the knife from her waist. She positioned it on the bedside table until its handle aligned with her hip. Then she pressed her thumbs to the woman’s unseeing eyes and—
Devil’s own…
Lux paused. Her fingers came away. She marched to the door, and when she opened it, Silas nearly toppled in atop her. He’d been listening.
“Grand,” she said. “You’re already eavesdropping. If you hear a thump, like a body falling to the floor, and your investor sounding strangely hungry, come in. Otherwise, wait for me.”
She shut the door on their gaping mouths and returned to the bed. “All right. Let’s see if that last revival was a fluke.”
Again, she pressed her thumbs to the body’s eyes.
“Back from Death, we beckon. A guide between Life and Fate…”
“Hello?Younglady!”
Lux blinked open her eyes and groaned. “No.Damn it all.” Her insides vibrated alarmingly beneath her skin. She squinted at the face above her. Brown eyes, greying hair. The revived woman had already begun to dress, and the toe of her stockinged foot was buried yet in Lux’s ribs. Lux shoved it away.
Her next breath drew ragged. She pressed her fists to her eyes right there on the floor.
You cannot break here.
But oh, how she wanted to.
She pushed herself up instead and stumbled to the door. She pulled it open and didn’t meet the eyes of either man who came in immediately afterward.
“What—” The woman quieted at the faces entering the room. “Oh, Lord Corvin! Lord Silas?” She dropped to her knees. “What’s happening here? That child won’t tell me anything. I woke upindisposedon a strange bed with her splayed out on the floor. I thought I’d been kidnapped.” Mistress Lefroy crossed herself before folding her hands in prayer, an incoherent mumbling pouring from her lips.
Lux’s glance lifted from the woman’s strange prostrating to seeLordSilas frown and say, “You were poisoned and died, Mistress Lefroy. I was taking you to be entombed.”
“What?”
While the pair discussed the particulars, Lux returned to the desk and gathered her ingredients as quick as she could. She paused when the handle of her knife pushed into her vision. She looked up at Corvin.
“Splayed out on the floor?” he said.
Lux snatched the weapon from him. “It’s nothing.”
That same hand with which he’d held the knife now rested on her elbow. “If you’re ill or something else, you can tell me.”
“For what purpose?” She folded everything into her arms, and when he didn’t have an immediate quip ready, said, “If you’ll excuse me, I’m tired.”
An absolute lie.
But he did not let her go. “I might be able to help.”
The best way she’d ever found to keep tears at bay was to dig for anger—and she would not cry in front of strangers. Her lipcurled as her eyes pricked. “Can you really? Are you a healer? Do you specialize in broken brilliances?”
“No, Lux. I don’t specialize in anything hurt or broken. But I know someone who does.”
She scrunched her eyes closed. Maybe she hadn’t lied. Her mind wasexhausted.“And you’re volunteering their services?”
“I am. Aside from its mission in preservation, Mothlock finds value in helping those wherever it can. We’re blessed by the Saints in employing the strongest gifts in the country.”
More of that philanthropyMagda had mentioned. Was this another stroke of good luck? Or was it fate leading her? Lux peered up at him. She searched for pity, but he only seemed resolute.
She was not too proud, though, even if it had been pity. Not for this. “Suppose I am interested. How do I find this person? I have a map if it would be easier to show me.”
