“Does it just happen, or was it malicious?”
“It wasn’t an accident.”
“Who would’ve done something like this?”
“There aren’t many people to choose from.” At my confused expression, Millie explained. “Pixie dust is hard enough to use as is. It takes a powerful person to use it correctly. It takes an even more powerful person to be able to intercept it—and keep all parties alive.”
My chest felt like it had seized. “Are you telling me Silas might not have survived the separation?”
“I think you’d know if he were no longer alive.” Millie dodged the question. “I’ve got a special tincture I can whip up that’ll help mend you and calm your mind.”
“I don’t need to get calm. I need to find him,” I insisted. “I don’t have time to—”
“You need to sit.” Millie balled the bloody apron and tucked it into the pocket of her dress. “We need to getyou cleaned up, and we need help. If we are to find Silas, unfortunately you are going to need to contact—”
“Me.”
I startled at the sound of an unfamiliar male voice. Millie, however, simply closed her eyes in resigned dismay. Like this man was the answer we were looking for; she just didn’t want to admit it.
I scrambled away from the rock wall to take in the sight of a man standing before me. He wasstunning.I did a double take at the sheer beauty of him.
This was, technically, the most gorgeous human being—male or female—I had ever laid eyes on. He radiated a sort of sunny halo around his figure, so lightly translucent it was hard to say if my eyes were playing tricks on me.
This stranger was almost as large as Silas, though a few inches shorter in height. Where Silas was bulky and generally massive, this man was more streamlined—muscular and manicured. Silas was all rugged strength and darkness. The man before me was sunlight and beauty.
Sandy blond hair glinted in the sun’s rays like polished armor. Bright, blue-green eyes shone like crystal pools. He had a broad chest, gently tanned skin, and a radiant smile. I got the impression this man was too beautiful for earth.
“The name’s Atlas.” The stranger bowed his head toward me, acknowledging my presence but foregoing a handshake. “I’m Silas’s brother.”
“Silas has a brother?” I turned to Millie.
“Unfortunately,” she murmured.
“Good to see you too, Millicent.” Atlas didn’t even look toward Millie as he spoke.
“Millie,” she said through a clenched jaw. There was clearly tension between the two. “We might need you now, but don’t get any ideas about sticking around, Atlas.”
“And my brother wonders why I don’t swing by for afternoon tea. This is the reception I get. You must be...” Atlas looked me up and down, the curiosity growing as he drank me in with a long look. “Fates be damned,” he muttered, his radiant smile dropping from his lips.
Atlas’s gaze flicked to Millie. Her mouth twitched into a smile as she looked to her feet. The look on her face was almost triumphant.
“Fates be damned,” Atlas said again. “No wonder.”
“No wonder what?” I looked between them.
“You—” Atlas began, but Millie interrupted him.
“We must focus on finding Silas,” she said sharply. “And only on finding Silas.”
As much as I agreed with Millie’s instructions, I couldn’t help but wonder what Atlas had been about to say. I got the feeling Millie had known the exact thoughtcrossing his mind and had wanted to keep it from me. Curious,curious.
“Let’s go inside,” Millie said. “For Fates’s sake, the girl is still bleeding.”
Atlas stepped toward me. He raised a hand, a frown turning down his lips. I flinched as he approached.
“I would never hurt you.” Atlas’s words were a river of liquid gold. Lyrical, soothing, lovely. “Let me help you.”
I believed him. Even though my guard was up, I waited as Silas’s brother extended a hand to my forehead. He muttered something in an ancient language, and seconds later, a golden energy flowed from him to me.
