Antonio’s draught had worked a little too well. Gideon had slept like a stone, but all night long, his dreams were full of Rune.
They were so vivid, he’d been certain they were real: Rune slipping into his room in the dark and closing the door behind her. Rune sinking into the armchair and leaning forward to brush his hair off his face. He’d woken at her touch—or at least, he had in the dream—and wrapped his fingers around her wrist. Pulled her under the covers. Curled his body around hers like a protective shell, running his palms over her chilled skin to warm her.
He remembered the softness of her thigh beneath his palm. The salt taste of her skin on his lips.
But no. He couldn’t. It had been nothing more than a dream.
Gideon couldn’t touch Rune; Cressida’s curse prevented it.
He banished the images from his mind and got out of bed. After dressing, he descended the stairs to the salon. Halfway down, he heard a familiar voice growl, “I know he’s here.”
Harrow?
“Tell him I need to speak with him.”
Gideon continued down the stairs, stopping at the bottom. Harrow stood at the entrance to the salon—a large open space punctuated by scattered pillars and a massive fireplace. Standing across from her was Antonio.
“If you don’t fetch him, I’ll…” Her golden eyes lit on Gideon.“Finally.”
“Come to turn me in?” He leaned his uninjured hip against the rail and crossed his arms. “Should I expect a platoon of officers breaking down the doors any moment?”
Harrow flinched at the question. She opened her mouth as if to answer, then changed her mind.
“The Blood Guard are rudderless,” she said instead. “With your defection, there’s no chance of them making a strong stand against Cressida’s forces. We’re all sitting ducks.”
Gideon frowned. “So you want me to do… what, exactly?”
“Come back with me.”
As she stepped toward him, he noticed her bruised wrists and the welt on her cheek. His eyes narrowed.
“Soldiers need their captain.”
“If I return, Noah will kill me this time. And even if he doesn’t…” Gideon shook his head. “I’m no longer in the business of slaughtering witches.”
Her eyes flashed. “If you don’t return,wewill be slaughtered by the very witches you’re suddenly so fond of.”
There was a sudden flurry in the hall, coming from the front entrance. Harrow tensed, looking in the direction of the noise.
Had soldiers followed her here? Was this a trap?
Stepping past her, Gideon touched the gun holstered at his hip, ready to draw it if necessary.
“Her spell told me to come here,” came a feminine voice. “To this house. Is she all right?”
Gideon watched as Seraphine Oakes entered the salon. At the sight of each other, both witch and witch hunter froze.
Rune did as I asked.
She’d summoned Seraphine.
He dropped his hand from his gun.
“You.” Harrow spat the word from beside him. Before he realized what was happening, she’d grabbed his gun and pointed it at Seraphine.
No.Not Seraphine.
There was another girl on Seraphine’s heels. One he hadn’t seen until now.
