“Need me to come by the Bowery tonight?” Týr asked.
“No, no, I’m fine.” Her fingers dug into the punching bag. “I can handle one skinny demon if he returns.” How she managed a calm tone, she had no idea as nausea tracked up her throat.
“Okay then.” He nodded and strolled off.
Biting back a groan, Ely dropped her head against the sandbag, remorse hitting her hard.Goddess, what have I done?
“Hey, Týr,” Echo’s smiling voice drifted to her a moment later.
“Back at ya, Curantii.”
Snorting, Echo ambled into the gym, bypassing the treadmills and weights section, stopping in front of Ely. “I sensed you were here. Want to join Shae and me in the arena, a session with weapons?”
Darn. She could barely get herself to concentrate on anything the entire day. Chances were she’d hurt someone or herself.
“Rain check. I don’t think I have any energy left.” She groaned, stretching her aching arms over her head to ease her sore muscles. “Besides, I have to get ready for work soon.”
“Ah, right. Time runs away during the day.” Though she smiled, there was a tinge of dullness to her usually bright eyes.
Ely frowned.
As the Curantii, or Healer of the Veils, and the fact that she was a descendent of the leader of the Watchers, Echo usually sported an inherent sparkling aura.
“So, you’ll be here for Christmas Eve?” Echo asked, scratching the shallow dimple in her chin. “Or, are you going to Reynner and Eve’s?”
“I’ll be here. I’ll see my brother and Eve later.”Vae, she had to get cracking and finish her paintings. Even though it was a day into December, her gift choice took time.
“Wonderful.” Echo grinned. “Hmm, I wonder what’s keeping Shae?” She retrieved her cell from her hoodie pocket and grimaced, rubbing her temple.
“A headache?” Ely asked, unfastening the straps of her fingerless boxing gloves.
“No…” Her friend dropped her hand, glancing at her phone’s display, where she had a snapshot of Aethan and Bob. How she got those two together for a photo, Ely didn’t know since her cat was choosy about whom he favored for a petting.
“I just feel…tired. Probably remnants from using my abilities and healing that rift up in Scotland a few weeks ago—don’t tell Aethan,” she said hastily, “or he’ll insist I rest again. Ugh—” She sighed wearily. “Now I’m getting these fuzzy images in my mind, and it makes my head hurt.”
Ely took in her wan, tense features, her concern growing. “Your recent nightmares about the flames?”
“No. Just blurred images of faces now.”
“Maybe the new rune’s responsible?”
“I don’t know… Though it did start during my lesson with Lore. He’d doubtless tell me I’m daydreaming again.” She rolled her gorgeous silver and amber eyes, a sparkle seeping into them again.
Ely laughed in relief. She’d heard enough of Echo’s grumbles about thetight-assangel who was her tutor and piled her with work.
“Hey.” Shae took form in the gym, appearing a little winded, her red hair fastened in a haphazard single braid. “I’m so sorry about the delay. Dagan, he, ah…”
Echo burst out laughing, and Shae’s pale skin turned bright red. “Yeah,that.”
“I know.” Echo grinned, following her out. “See you later, Ely.” She waved over her shoulder, and both her friends left the gym.
Inhaling deeply, Ely flexed her sore fingers, her restlessness stirring again as her current problem resurfaced, aware she had to put right what she’d done. And her stomach heaved.
Chances were,hemight just want to kill her now. But she had to try.
* * *
With it being winter, dusk fell earlier and night came faster. Back in her workwear, her nerves in a tangle of knots, Ely piled her hair into a low bun and fastened it. She grabbed her trench coat and slouchy beanie from her walk-in closet, put them on, and hurried out, only to stop near her bed. “Dammit, it won’t work, not on him…”
