Perhaps that was why he’d bitten me—to provide me with a glimmer of understanding regarding his motives. Yet this stage didn’t afford me much insight. It actually linked him more to me than me to him.
That realization had me narrowing my gaze.
He was up to something.
He also clearly had a death wish because I strongly doubted that the Council had told him to fucking bite me.
Tray reluctantly removed his spell, allowing Shade to begin the recovery process. Sir Kristoff stood beside my left foot, his tiny stone sword held out before him like a wand.
Gargoyles were small but mighty, their magic potent and long-lasting. Hence Shade’s continued weakened condition on the floor. Tray’s spell had only prolonged his misery, negating his ability to heal. But it was Sir Kristoff’s enchantment that had knocked the Death Blood onto his ass.
Kyros yawned again, then resumed his stance of leaning against the wall, only this time he closed his eyes as though taking a nap.
I could see why these two assholes were friends.
Sir Kristoff growled as if to agree, except I knew he couldn’t actually read minds.
Shade, however, might be able to hear my louder thoughts. It was a rare gift that came with some bondings, and given some of his unique abilities, I wouldn’t be surprised if that was one of them. Aflora had never mentioned it, but I’d also never asked.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t hear her.
Which only added insult to misery in this situation.
“Who the fuck is Zakkai?” I demanded.
“Quandary Blood.” The words came out on a cough from the still-wounded Death Blood on the floor.
“Yeah, you said that already.”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t repeat questions,” Kyros suggested, his dark eyes flickering open. “Would you like to wake up Zeph now?”
I flinched, startled by the abrupt subject change. “What did you do to him?”
“Why would I do anything?” he countered.
“I don’t know. I don’t even know why you’re here.”
“Hmm, no, I think you do,” he murmured.
Right.Not going to continue engaging him because he just made me want to blast a hole of dark magic through him. “Shade.”
The Death Blood grunted in acknowledgment, his limbs still spasming from residual gargoyle magic. I would pity him, except I couldn’t because I actually enjoyed seeing him in pain. He fucking deserved it.
“Wake up Zeph,” Tray said, speaking to no one in particular. “Whoever can wake him, fucking wake him up.”
“How?” I asked. “I don’t even know why he’s still asleep.”
Magic hummed through the air from Shade as he twirled his finger in a shaky zigzag, his lips moving over an incantation. I didn’t catch the spell, his words soundless.
Kyros cocked his head to the side, then nodded as though satisfied.
And the door to my room flew open with a raging Zeph, who stopped short in the hallway. His gaze immediately fell to Shade. “What. The. Fuck?” he demanded, charging toward the already crippled Death Blood.
I folded my arms in amusement as my Guardian unleashed a wave of defensive magic onto the prone male, causing Shade to growl in agony.
“Again?” Kyros asked.
“No!” Shade shouted.
