"We've sent word."
"Thank the goddess." Her lip trembles. "Gods, Temp. Arlo."
I hug myself tighter. Nod.
Malachi shoots Kage a look.
"Come on, Tilda." Kage's voice softens. "You need rest. Let me walk you back."
She pulls me into another fierce hug. "Please be careful."
I hug her back. But all I can think is, we're past that now.
We wait for them to leave. For the door to close. For the lock to click.
I turn to Malachi. "The handcuffs must be made of the?—"
He swoops down and claims my mouth before I can finish. It's a desperate kiss. Fear and devastation poured into one another. The bond hums between us, a reminder that these moments are stolen.
Maybe that's why I respond with such urgency. Tugging him closer. Wrapping my legs around him when he lifts me. When we break apart, we're both panting.
He presses his forehead to mine. "Damn it, Menace. I felt your fear from the ship. I couldn't get here fast enough."
"I'm so scared, Mal." My voice shakes. "I've never been scared like this. Not even when Jordi was taken."
Constantine has never done anything like this. If he has the Sages too, I can't imagine what it means. According to Veritas teachings, when the Undying Flame of a kingdom snuffs out, the kingdom dies. The Sages are the only ones who can tend that Flame.
If they die, lifting the curse won't matter. There will be no kingdom left to save. Constantine must know this. If he's truly trying to serve Cato, if they want Tenebris, they must understand they can't destroy the Flame. But my friends. My family. What are they to him?
"We'll get them back." His expression is fierce. Certain. "We'll get them."
"What if this is just the beginning? What the Flame said..."
He silences me with a hard kiss. "We will get them back."
He carries me to the back room. Shuts the door. Sets me on the edge of the bed before disappearing into the bathroom. I fall back and close my eyes. The air is thick with citrus and eucalyptus.
The scent unlocks something. A memory I'd forgotten. The soap maker's shop. The Sages sent me there to intern, years ago. The soap makers spoke of their work as if it were the most important in the Order. Everyone does. That was when I first noticed the Veritas pin on their coats, the gold signet ring with the symbol.
I smile, remembering when we ran out of soap at the estate and Cas convinced me to share his. The memory curdles. Becomes the image of him in chains tonight. I force myself to breathe.
I breathe until I find my center. And then I'm somewhere else. Not physically. In my mind. Walking through the dark forest behind the cottage. Toward the Shroud. Toward the whispers and the glowing eyes that call to me. I don't run. I stare back.
"Tell me what you want," I whisper.
You.
I clench my trembling fists. "Why?"
You are owed to us. You kept this place fat with grief, and loss, and memory.
My chest tightens. "Are you the healers? The ones sacrificed to the Bratus?"
We are a collection. Memories. Grief. The last word comes as a hiss. Rage. Only you can free us. Only you can feel us.
"Will you be free when the curse is lifted?"
Some. Others will wait. To remind you.
