Page 133 of Reaper’s Curse

“Coat check? Really?” He leaned against the wall beside the clerk’s counter and crossed his arms. “I fail to understand why we must do this now. Or…why you bothered with a coat at all.”

I shrugged. “Might come in handy.”

“Doubtful.” Winter’s attention narrowed in on my likely too-red lips.

He frowned.

“Never know,” I retorted, ignoring his scrutiny.

“At least you can use it to cover up all that unwanted exposed skin.” He flicked his wrist, raising a hand to indicate my open vest and visible chest.

His clear discomfort drew a smirk to my lips.

“Here you go.”

Putting the exchange behind me, I spun to the clerk.

She handed my coat over the countertop. “Curious piece. Does it go with your costume?”

I slid her a tip and tucked the coat under my arm. “You might say that.”

The Killian cloak would hide my costume, and me, when I decided to don it. I certainly wouldn’t sneak around the castle without utilizing the ability to disappear. Winter had no idea how useful the coat could be.

With a quick glance over me, he said, “Let’s go,” and stalked away.

The prince led us through countless passages, working us deeper and deeper into the fortified compound. When we arrived at a room Winter identified as our destination, the prince slipped a key from his pocket, deftly unlocked the door, and ushered us in.

I crept down the aisle of tables and shelves, absorbing the sight. The space appeared to be a tinkering workshop for an aspiring mage, not a reaper…as Raven and I had been led to believe the male once was.

“This Valen guy is the only one who uses this space?” I skirted a finger along the nearest table.

A semi-thick layer of dust covered the surface.

“He is.” Winter stalked toward the back wall. “Actually, he spends a fair amount of time in here…when he’s not working with Raven on her agreement with the queen.”

Yeah. That.

I wasn’t crazy about that agreement, but I understood why she’d made the pledge.

Winter mumbled a curse. “It’s locked.”

He stepped to the side, revealing an unremarkable door set in the back wall.

He jabbed his thumb at the barred entrance. “It was unlocked the last time I was here. The door we’re seeking is inside this supply closet.”

“Let me see what I can do.” I nudged him to the side.

Winter grunted. “You good with picking locks? Because…otherwise…no.”

Winter shoved between me and the door, pressed his hand to the lock. A silent wind stirred and…click.

“Just. Like. Magic.” He yanked the door open and stepped inside.

I had to admit, Winter’s ability clearly had its perks. With a quick glance behind me to verify the room was clear, I clipped the Killian cloak at my neck and followed Winter into the supply closet.

Winter was already busy engaging his magic with the lock on the second door. His face reddened with stress and concentration, and his fingers turned blue, crystallized with ice. He grunted and bent over. Pressed his hands to his knees.

“Bit of a workout?” I chided.