“A shame.” He nodded to the room. “May I come in? There is something I wanted to tell you, and… not out here in the hallway.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Cally stepped back. “You don’t need to ask. It’s your house.”
“But your room,” he said as he entered. “As I promised.”
She closed the door behind him.
“Is this the book you mentioned?” Antoine asked, gesturing to the tome that lay open on her bed.
“Yeah.”
“Are you making any progress?”
“I hope so.”
He smiled ruefully at the paintwork on the carpet. “I had best ask Marcel not to come and clean in here for a while.”
“I’m so sorry. We’ll remove it, I promise.”
“No, I understand. There are empty rooms. I could find you one to practice your magic.”
“I’m sorry. I should’ve asked.”
“It’s your house too.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. This wasn’t what he wanted to discuss. “There was another matter. Noah has tracked down Nico and Tobias.”
The blood drained from her face. “He has?” she asked, her voice small.
Smooth delivery.
“I apologize, that was sudden.I did not mean to alarm you.”
“No, it’s… fine.” She turned away, her arms hugging herself. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to kill them. Just as I told you.”
“When?”
“When we’re ready. We’re preparing now. A week, maybe two.”
She turned back, and her face was less pale.Already she has recovered from the shock I gave her.“Which will you go after first?”
“We haven’t yet decided.”
“I want to come.”
“I am not sure that is wise. It will be dangerous.”
“Nevertheless. I’m tougher than any of your thralls, and we’re bonded.”
“A reason to keep you safe, tough or not.”
She crossed her arms and raised her chin, her jaw firm.So beautiful. So stubborn.“I want to come, Antoine. My place is at your side.”
“Ma chérie,I—”
“I’m not leaving you. Not for something like this. I can’t wake again in our bed to find you haven’t returned.”
He bowed his head. “Very well. When we go, you will come with us.”
