“Why not?” Aethan asked, pushing off the jamb. “Could be useful with what you’re planning. His precognition is parallel?—”
“In the space between heartbeats…”Blaéz’s voice dropped to an eerie whisper,“where shadow swallows light…mortality weaves immortality’s chains.”
The room went still.
Great. Just what he needed—a freaking riddle to fester in his skull.
Refusing to show his unease, he glanced at his fellow Guardians. None responded with an explanation. Godsdamn perfect.
He drawled, “When you figure that out, you know how to reach me.”
Blaéz snorted, back to himself. “Use it, don’t. I imagine you’ll?—”
A boom ricocheted through the castle, causing the windows and doors to shudder, as if a giant pylon had fallen over the castle, blitzing everything.
“What the fuck was that?” someone barked.
Ash!
Chapter
Twenty-Two
Ash followedKira down a long corridor, exhaustion sweeping through her as she hefted her pack to her other shoulder. Still, the fatigue didn’t stop her from absorbing everything around her.
While this place had that timeless feel outside, inside it feltalive, as if it breathed warmth through its stones, unlike the many castles she’d explored in England.
Wall sconces cast amber light over massive paintings of hunting scenes and landscapes. Trailing greenery from silver urns atop marble pedestals created an atmosphere of eternal luxury. The polished wood gleamed rich and dark, but the faint scent of beeswax made her head swim.
“This place is beautiful,” she said as they passed tall marble statues and two-seater couches set against the wall. “Like something out of a museum.”
“I thought so once, too, but now it’s just home.” Kira cast a brief look around. “By the way, you have an amazing gift. Don’t worry, most of the women here have some sort of power that appeared suddenly.”
“Mine started about three months ago…” Ash tightened her grip on her pack. “I’m still trying to learn control, but it’s tough. Are you psionic as well?”
“No, not psionic.” A smile warmed Kira’s hazel eyes. “But I do have abilities—long story. I’ll tell you when you’re not about to face-plant from exhaustion.”
Ash laughed, shifting her pack again.
“I like your backpack,” Kira said. “Looks like genuine dragon scales.”
Ash fingered the ridged straps. She wasn’t sure if they were real, only that the pack was flame-resistant. “I picked it up in Lemuria, along with some clothes.”
“So, what’s it like there?”
Ash frowned, searching for words to explain.
“You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to,” she said quickly. “Living in this castle, this life with our mates, I totally understand secrecy.”
“It’s not secrecy,” Ash murmured. “It’s just…hard to explain. Beautiful and terrifying all at once. The dragons—” She gave a small laugh, shaking her head. “They’re incredible. Utterly stunning, but they scare the life out of you.”
“I can imagine.” Kira smiled, smoothing back her messy strands of hair. “At least Race found you and kept you safe. So, you and Race, huh?” she teased.
Heat flooded Ash’s face.Oh, boy.She brushed back her hair, not sure what to say. “Er-hm?—”
“I don’t mean to pry—heck, who am I kidding? I totally do.” She scrunched her face, causing Ash to laugh. She leaned in close. “We girls here always said Race would meet someone he likes, but our mates?” She rolled her eyes. “They, of course, insisted otherwise.”
“They…took bets about Race?” Ash asked, unsettled by the thought.
