“That’s my theory. The fire inspector said the blaze was due to faulty wiring, but I know in my gut it was arson.”
“Given the robbery and vandalism,” I say, wondering what Westlyn would think of my acting skills, “I tend to agree with you. I don’t suppose you’ve any leads? Other than me, of course?”
“Not yet. But my thought is… Whoever stole the Codex and set the fire is most likely the same person—or persons, if we’re dealing with a cult or a rogue coven of some sort—who has Westlyn Avery.”
Well, well, well. Aren’t you a clever chap…
“So you’re thinking if you locate one, you’ll likely find the other,” I say, fishing to see if he knows more than he’s let on so far.
“As of now, I’m afraid I haven’t been able to find either. We’ve got our best mages on it, but the trail’s gone completely cold.”
“That’s… unfortunate.” I blow out another breath. “Well, I’m not sure I can be much help at this point, but if I hear anything about the girl or the Codex, I’ll be in touch.”
“I appreciate that, Draegan. Despite our differences, Idovalue our relationship. I regret that things took a turn. I… I truly hope we can find our way back to that alliance.”
“Given your obvious lack of trust in me, I’m not sure that’s possible. But…” I make him wait an eternity, then finally say, “Locate the lost Codex and return it to its rightful fae owners, andthenwe’ll see about repairing our broken bonds.”
Chapter Four
WESTLYN
I’ve never said the words out loud before. Never given voice to this story—my most private, horrific shame. And now that those words are out, they’re just…here. Lingering in the stunned silence between Jude and Auggie, as dark and heavy as the air before a thunderstorm.
Last night in the library, Auggie told me that stories are bridges. “Once you know someone’s stories,” he said, “the deepest, darkest ones that rock us to the core and shape who we become, you’re connected to that person in a way you can’t undo. Even if you have a falling out, even if you never speak again after that moment, you’ll always have that piece of them.”
Never has that been more true for me than it is right now. And no matter what happens between us—whether I’m a part of their lives for the long haul or gone in a month—this moment, this bridge will always connect us.
The thought is as terrifying as it is comforting.
I’m still kneeling on Auggie’s bed, naked but for the sweatshirt balled up in my hands, my heart pounding, tears painting my cheeks. Jude hasn’t moved from his spot beside the bed, hasn’t uttered a word since he demanded to know who carved the shameful word into my skin.
WICKED…
I don’t think he’s even drawn a single breath since I began talking. He won’t meet my eyes. Neither of the gargoyles will.
None of us seem to know what’s supposed to happen next.
I close my eyes, suddenly wishing Rook or Draegan would barge in. I’d take one of Rook’s scientific discoveries or even one of Draegan’s control-freak outbursts over this uncomfortable tension any night of the week.
But then, after what feels like a hundred years, the silence is finally broken.
“But you didn’t.”
It’s Auggie. No more than a whisper, but I’m grateful for it anyway.
I open my eyes. Look into his warm hazel ones.
Shock and sadness have drained the color from his cheeks, his gray skin flat and lifeless.
“You said you knew that’s where you were going to die,” he continues. “But you didn’t. You’re still here. You survived.”
“Thanks to some unexpected new friends.” At this, I finally manage a smile. “That was the night I met Lucinda, Huxley, and Jean-Pierre.”
“The ravens,” he says, his voice soft with wonder, and I nod.
“I have no idea how or why they found me—it’s not like ravens make a habit of hanging out in the subway tunnels. But just when I was about to give up all hope… Suddenly, there they were, swooping down from the platform and onto the tracks. I don’t know how it all happened so fast, how they weren’t scared off by the train. They started going crazy, pecking at the ropes—I jerked and tugged until one hand finally tore free, then I frantically untied the other one while the birds attacked the ropes around my ankles. It worked—I was finally free. But the train… it wasrightthere.” I shiver as the memory rattles through me all over again. “With every bit of strength I could muster, I threw myself sideways off the tracks, smashing myself against the tunnel wall. I had just enough time to cover my head, then the train just… it roared right past me, not even slowing down.”
Goddess, remembering it now… I still can’t believe I survived it. Waiting for that monstrous machine to pass was the longest fifteen seconds of my life. It screeched along the tracks, hot metal mere inches from my bleeding skin… I didn’t move a muscle. I just kept thinking that same thing over and over again—I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die.
