Page 88 of Veil of Night & Flames

Chase’s half-smile has a hint of irony, and he casts a glance toward Adric. “I suppose I can’t argue with that.”

“Much hurt. Kali want answers. Want obedience. No get, then she give pain.”

I shudder.

Adric does not. But his hand has come up and rested at the small of my back, and I feel the slight tremor of fury in his touch.

“Friend should no be alive,” Solenne says. “Much torture. Survive because of self.”

“Of self?” I repeat. “What does that mean?”

“He is from realm of Others—old magic in blood. It help heal.”

I remember how Chase once described the realms to me. The Realm of the Others had the kind of creatures you’d read about in fairy tales where deep magic grows and death is often defeated.

“Long sleep,” Solenne says. “Perhaps she believe dead and toss away. He lucky wolves not find again. Perhaps still had scent of their master on him.”

Solenne says it without inflection, but the word master sits in the air, and I feel Adric’s hand tighten at my back.

I don’t say anything. I don’t look at him. I just stand where I am and let him have the moment he needs to gather himself.

Chase has clocked it too. His eyes flick to his brother for a half-second—long enough that I see the look they exchange, and though I can’t know for sure, I think it’s a look of true solidarity.

“Or perhaps something else,” Solenne continues. “Cannot know for certain what happen. He tell us when he back with us.”

“He’ll recover?” Chase asks.

“He mostly heal self. I will make go faster. Two days in this realm. Maybe three. You go. I summon when better.”

Chase nods. “Thank you for sharing your skill, Mistress Solenne”

Her smile quivers. “The Kali. She never say such words.”

“Yeah, well, she’s kind of a bitch,” I say.

Solenne tilts her head. “You are wise woman, my queen,” she says, and I can practically taste the laughter in her voice.

Beside me, Adric exhales slowly. “Kali,” he says, very quietly, to no one and everyone. “We will be having a conversation.”

Chase says nothing. But his posture softens, and I can’t help but think that this may be the first time in ages that he’s caught a glimpse of the Adric I’ve come to know.

Chapter

Twenty-Five

Adric, Chase, and I pause at the top of the stairs. Below us, Mr. Griffin and Solenne are staying as Whistler sleeps, hopefully through the night. From the landing, all I can hear is Whistler’s labored breathing, which probably shouldn’t be reassuring, but it is. Because at least it means he’s alive.

I’d wanted to stay below, but both Solenne and Mr. Griffin had vetoed that plan.

“There’s more that will be coming through the Widow Maker,” Mr. Griffin had said. “And next time it won’t be a friend. Go. Rest. You and Chase check in with our contacts. You know I’ll reach out if anything changes. At the very least, he’ll sleep a long time.”

“Is true,” Solenne had said. “He has much sleep draught in him. Needed for healing. You go. I will hold him safe.”

So we’d gone, trusting that she would keep her vow. Not that I doubted her. She’d kept Chase alive, after all, at least long enough for Adric’s blood to work its magic.

When we’d started up the stairs, it had felt like we had a purpose. Rest and prepare for what’s coming. Now, though, all I can think about is these two men, both of whom I want. And neither of whom I can have while the other is around. And, honestly, this whole big emotional—and, yeah, sexual—tangle is really weighing on me.

At least you weren’t attacked by wolves and left for dead.