“And your solution?” Thorrin prodded after a long, tense silence.
Vesper’s shaky fingers worked the top buttons on his tunic, not sure why he trembled nervously, as he flashed his scars, and hisShadowheartsquirming beneath his skin. Kaida seemed especially active today, ready to burst free.
Thorrin stared, his mouth agape and fingers stilled on his glass. “Deimos hold me,” he breathed. “That’s a … and you have—”
“I know. I get that reaction a lot. My sister had one, too. Both scars, as well. Thus why I need her for the prophecy.” He refastened the buttons as he shot him a smug, slightly drunk grin. “But back to the point. That mark happens to bring you inordinately good luck. Do you know why that is?”
Thorrin narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
“Because, inside that mark lives a creature you’d probably be fucking ecstatic to meet. A creature you know well. One that happens to contain—” He glanced behind him like he was about to share a dire secret. “Shadow fire.”
He thought Thorrin might topple out of his seat. “Shadowheartsare—”
“Yeah, yeah, extinct. I know.” Vesper waved him off. “But I happen to be sitting here, living and breathing and willing to offer my services. That isifyou’re willing to match my offer with your own. Because in my opinion, it’s pretty bloodyrareto find someone with an ability like mine.”
Thorrin didn’t sip this time. Instead he tossed back the shot like his life depended on it. When he winced and shut his eyes, Vesper could practically see the thoughts churning in his head.And as he sat there, Vesper’s hands grew sweaty around his mug of ale.
Because what if he said no? What if he sent him away? What if he called him a liar or a blasphemer and staked him to the table right here? What if Vesper didn’t come through for Emmery? What if Izzy was permanently trapped in that place to wither away? What if Ellynne was taken away forever? Where would he go? Briar, Cal, and Marlys too.
And what about Nef?
I’ll always look after you.
He would keep his word. He wouldn’t fail her now. Not after all this.
When Thorrin finally flicked his gaze to Vesper, he set the empty shot glass face down with an exasperated sigh. “Tell you what, if you help us find the source of the bloodlace, and you burn away all that’s encroached on Morana, you have a deal. But you’d better work fast since you only have a month.” Thorrin tapped his finger against the glass, as if each tap instilled clarity. “In regards to your sister, we have people who can seek the information. We’ll do everything in our power to search for answers and leads, but bringing someone back from the dead—it’s not something I know to be possible.”
Vesper’s heart constricted and he fought the urge to run home with his tail between his legs. This wouldn’t be easy. But he promised he’d bring Izzy home, and fuck it, he would. He would do it for Emmery, Nef, Briar, Cal, Marlys, all the citizens of Ellynne, and he’d do anything to make this right. “As long as you guarantee you’ll do everything in your power that’s all I can ask,” he replied.
“We may have a bargain,” Thorrin said. “But we need a demonstration first.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
EMMERY
Emmery marvelled at how Destonne’s features softened in sleep. With his pain tucked away, all the lines and hardness of his face faded. She had never seen him like this, and one thought struck her so violently her heart sped at the admission of it.
Destonne really was handsome. Unfairly so.
She’d fought not to notice, not to see or feel anything toward him, but as the boat rocked and his brows creased, a pang of emotion sprang into her chest and ricocheted inside her like a fly trapped in a jar. And she didn’t know what to do about this. About any of it.
He shouldn’t have taken her price or her pain, and there hadn’t been compulsion or anything pressing him into it. He just did it. Why? He had to have some ulterior motive. Some sort of plan up his sleeve. But as she racked her brain, the thoughts wouldn’t connect.
Emmery’s breath caught in time with each of his ragged exhales, and she hoped he wouldn’t wake. Not with injuries this severe. On one side, dried blood caked Destonne’s forehead where his head had collided with the ground. The other remained untouched, and her hand itched to sweep aside a pesky lock of hair that flopped in his eye.
The urge was absurd, of course. She wouldn’t do it.
But the innocence in his expression reached into her ribcage and grasped her heart so tightly, her chest threatened to cave. As the boat rocked and the curl caught in his eyelashes, it was all she could see.
Damn it, what would be the harm? He was unconscious anyway.
She surrendered and brushed the silky strands aside. Carefully, she tugged her fingers through them, and as she navigated the thorns, she fell into a rhythm. Only when she’d sufficiently smoothed his hair did she pull herself away with one last grasp at her slipping sanity. Thank the gods he hadn’t woken to see her doing that. She’d never live it down.
When she looked up, she found Brennen’s canine eyes full of questions.
She frowned at the wolf and asked, “What?”
“Nothing.”He nestled his head on his massive paws. “Are you alright?”