“I weighed you down. You think I don’t know the tricks of stones? I practically built this manor on my own, girl. You will never be able to run now. You’ll be lucky if you can walk without needing a respite.”
“We cannot tolerate disobedience here at Mothlock,” said Tobias, shaking her until her teeth clacked.
“Be careful,” warned the other. “She’s Alistair’s latest project.”
Lux’s chest burned. There was blood in her throat and a heaviness throughout her. Not even anger would save her now, though it flared molten hot. Her chest had turned to stone; she was sure of it. She couldn’tbreathe.
“I… Wait…”
But they wouldn’t. They didn’t notice or they didn’t care. They pulled her away.
“I…can’t…”
“Do as I do.”
For once, it was not the nightmare speaking. Lux pressed her eyes closed and clawed, frantic, into the memory. Outside it, the collector said something, but water had returned to her ears. She could not hear.
“Inhale with me.”
She could see him so clearly. Could almost convince herself she could feel his skin against her own. His breath, warm and sweet, against her lips. And though he was so very far away, his heartbeat pulsed steady against her palm.
“…know to find me.”
She had. Through all the time and distance. She could hardly believe it.
Her lungs filled, full and—while not easy—decidedly less difficult. When Lux opened her eyes, she discovered Corvin bent to a knee beside her. His shadowed brow was etched in concern.
She’d been set on the foyer floor.
Corvin dragged his hood down, and she sucked a breath at the sight of his eyes. They were swollen—only slightly, and likely on par with her own—and that didn’t draw her attention so much. The redness did; the state of every vessel marring the white.
“Lux.” His hand reached out to cascade over her salt-damp hair. “What have you done?”
“I—nothing. I’ve done nothing. There was a girl. And then the tide. I nearly drowned.” She couldn’t collect her thoughts. She couldn’t quit staring at Corvin’s eyes.
“You’ve interrupted Invocation. Mothlock can only remain as successful as the obedience of its members. Are you sure I didn’t mention it? I thought I would have.”
“…what?”
“Did you help her escape? Did you know she’s sick? She’s one of our staff, and she could have been really hurt tonight. Is hurt, in fact.”
“Help herescape?Is this place something to be escaped?”
“It is a place to be treasured. Venerated. The work we accomplish here will last through the ages. Of course it isn’t a place to be escaped. But if you’re ill. Not in your right mind…”
He let the sentence hang, and Lux didn’t know if he meant Cecily’s illness any longer or her own.
A collector came through the doors.Silas.She could tell by the walk. In his arms was Cecily, her face tucked against him, nightgown torn at her knees. A steady drip sounded in the silence. Blood splattered on the floor.
“Manphry,” said Corvin, and Lux shifted to see the tall man emerge from a shadowed corridor. “Take the girl to Lord Artemis’s workroom. Once he’s through, return her to her room. Make sure the fire is built and extra blankets laid out.”
Manphry acknowledged the command, and the transfer between him and Silas was quick. A soft cry came from Cecily at the movement.
I’m sorry,Lux said inside, because she couldn’t say it aloud. Manphry made for the stairs and Artemis followed suit. Lux pushed herself to her knees, though it took a great deal of effort.
“Do you need healing too?”
“No,” she growled. “I need your man to take his vile enchantment off me.”
