“No,” Cassandra whispered.
“Have you noticed your abilities changing at all since you left the order?”
“No, I—”
The taste of charred wood and ancient spice rose on Cassandra’s tongue, along with the feel of her lips on Tristan’s warm skin, the sound of his soft grunts as she’d taken his blood.
“I think I know what caused this.” She lifted her chin, glancing back and forth between Borea and Hella.
“And I think I know how we can help.”
* * *
Cassandra shuckedoff her leather flats and tucked her feet underneath her on the Fang and Claw’s rust-colored couch.
Reena ushered the tavern’s few lingering patrons into the street’s beckoning darkness before closing and locking the faded red door.
Cassandra ran a hand along a velvet-soft cushion, trying not to think about the last time she’d been sitting—or rather, sleeping—on this couch.
And who had been sleeping beneath her.
It was strange to have not seen Tristan in over twenty-four hours. Especially since they’d spent nearly every minute together for the past few weeks. She missed his teasing, missed his sly smirks and his thunderous laughter. Missed the way he’d always find ways to touch her—pinching her hip, tugging her braid, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
But most of all, she missed his calming presence. He always knew what to do, in any situation. His jovial, unfaltering confidence kept her overactive mind in check.
And without him, it was running on overdrive. Especially after the events at the Temple this morning.
Though Cassandra was thankful for this unexpected new power, grateful that she had another method—besides larceny—to help humans avoid obliviation, bone-deep terror overrode her gratitude.
She couldn’t shake those suspicious looks from the Empire soldier. He’d seen her face, had heard her say her name to that little girl.
Would he report the incident to the Emperor? Or had Borea’s smoothly delivered lie been enough for him to dismiss the event as mere coincidence? There had been no outward sign of Cassandra’s power, no glowing skin or bursts of light. No one watching would’ve known what had passed between Cassandra, Andrea, and her mother.
She stowed away her fears as Reena approached the couch and pulled up a wooden chair next to Borea, who sipped at a pint of frothy beer.
Borea smacked her lips in satisfaction, then downed a huge gulp and released a belch so loud it rattled the half-dimmed pendant lights.
“Excuse me.” A sheepish grin formed as she wiped the foam off her mouth. “I forgot how good this was. I don’t typically indulge. It wouldn’t be fair to the Sisters.”
Hella, sprawled next to Cassandra with a brawny arm draped over the cushions, snickered and saluted Borea with her own frosty mug. “Reena serves best beer in city.”
Reena smoothed her auburn hair, her amber eyes shining with pride. “Come on now, you’ll give a girl a complex.” She turned to Cassandra. “You sure you don’t want anything, sugar? I can’t imagine why you begged me for this emergency meeting, but I’m guessing it’s nothing good. Need some liquid courage?”
Cassandra shook her head. “Really, I’m fine, Reena, thank you.”
“So, what crazy scheme have you all got cooking and why, exactly, do you think I’d want to be involved?”
Though she wanted her mind clear for this meeting, Cassandra second-guessed her decision to refuse a drink as she recounted what had happened at the Temple, how she’d reversed that woman’s obliviation. Borea chimed in to inform Reena of the Emperor’s decree, the order he’d given to have new obliviates shipped to the continent.
“Holy shit,” Reena said. “I thinkIneed a drink. What use would the Emperor have for obliviated humans on the continent?”
Borea drained the dregs of her pint, then waved off Reena when she offered a refill. “The few reasons I can imagine are all suitably horrifying.”
“Fortunately, it seems we have the means to stop him.” Cassandra held up her palms. “Me.”
“Look at you, magic girl,” Reena smirked. “Savior Sister.”
“I’m not a Sister anymore.”
