He chuckles. “That might be the best advice anyone’s ever given me.”
Forty-Three
Sabina
Nate is outside Caiden’s door when I leave. He follows me silently, leaving a pair of guards behind who stay with their emperor. They weren’t here when I arrived. We’re only a few steps away when one of them knocks on the door. When I glance back, Caiden is letting them into the room.
When we’re out of earshot, I slow down, and Nate takes the hint, catching up so he can walk alongside me. “Did something happen?”
“More deaths,” he says, then quickly adds, “Your ladies are safe.”
I tense. “The same way? Was it like Juliette?”
“Yes.”
“How many?” I ask.
“Three.”
I look over at him. “Who?”
“Two guards and a cook.”
“Do they know anything else?” I ask.
“Not yet,” he says.
I look ahead, and check to make sure we’re alone. “I found out something about what you’re looking for.”
I swear I can feel the air shift around us. Tension and fear and relief swirl like a cloud of ravens rising to the sky. “Is there somewhere we won’t be heard?”
Just then a group of legionnaires turn the corner and walk toward us. They incline their heads as they approach, but don’t slow down. I suspect they’re heading to Caiden’s room. I almost stop them to ask if they have new information, but I can still feel the unanswered questions from Nate.
He deserves to know this. I shouldn’t have kept it from him for so long. Why was I protecting a woman I’ve never met? Why was I protecting Brevan? He clearly didn’t need or want anything from me.
If anything, my loyalty should be to Anya, who was hurt as a result of Rosalyn’s magic. Nate’s daughter could be destined for the same fate.
As soon as the footsteps fade, Nate opens a door. After determining that it’s empty, he nods. The two of us enter the room, then he closes us in.
The room isn’t much larger than a closet, but it has a small bed along the wall and a very simple table with a chair against the other. They’re all covered in a thick layer of dust, which is a good sign that we won’t be disturbed.
“You really found something?” Nate asks eagerly.
“Yes, but I need to know what the magic is that your daughter has. I need to be certain it’s the same before I share what I know. I’m—I’m violating a lot of people’s trust with this.” I’m having second thoughts about sharing—guilt, I suppose. But Brevan should have told me about this sooner, shouldn’t he? Shouldn’t I have known about his sister once Anya was locked up with her?
In the last few weeks, Nate has been there for me. He’s kept me safe, and he’s kept my secrets. If I can help his daughter, it’ll be worth sharing this.
“I don’t know if I should tell you,” he starts. “It’s complicated.”
“Does it result in potentially summoning monsters?” I ask.
His lips part, and he looks like he’s going to say something, then closes his mouth again. Finally, he nods. “You found someone like that?”
“What does her magic do, Nate?” I press.
“She’s a seer. But, different. Most seers they get flashes, visions that may or may not come true. Her magic isn’t like that,” he explains.
“She can alter the future,” I say.
