Merlin’s eyes swept upward and he shook his head. “Can’t think of a single thing more important than this. Now, have a bite of that scone. He added orange peel and cardamom this time and they taste like they have the sun in them.”
“Very well,” Nox said and obediently broke off a corner of the scone. He popped it into his mouth and hummed in agreement. “Tastes like the sun.” He held his smile until Merlin turned and wandered to his desk. Nox’s lower lip trembled and his eyes stung and blurred as he worried about Nelson.
The coldness in his core scared Nox the worst, hinting that Nelson couldn’t see or feel the warmth of the sun. Was he locked in a cell somewhere or underground? Was that why they couldn’t hear or feel each other? Their bond was eternal and indestructible. It was a living thing that was both spiritual and magickal, yet Dùbhghlas had found a way to disconnect them.
If Nox didn’t know better, he’d worry that Nelson was dead. But Nox was certain he wouldknowif that force had been extinguished and where Nelson’s soul would go. There were all manner of terrible possibilities between life and death but Nelson would never betray his own soul, no matter how badly Dùbhghlas tortured or cursed him.
That was a small comfort. Too small but it was just enough to pull Nox away from the brink. There was no telling what Nelsonwas going through while Nox was spiraling and lashing out. TheleastNox could do was eat and find a way to be useful.
“Has Howard checked in?”
“Yes, yes,” Merlin said with a rapid nod. “He made it back to the store safely and Bryn and Everly are helping him with that new shipment of encyclopedias.”
“Good.” Nox sighed in relief.
It was good for them to do something normal and they would be safe with each other while they were away. He didn’t like keeping everyone imprisoned in the townhouse but he wouldn’t be able to handle the guilt if anyone else was hurt or taken.
“Stop worrying,” Merlin murmured as he searched in his bag. “Howard can handle himself and is ready to go home, whenever it’s time, but Bryn and Everly will make sure no harm comes to him today.”
Nox nodded despite his own selfish desire to keep Howard with them forever. “Where’s Fletcher and Shelby?” he asked and frowned at the foyer. “Why is the house so quiet?”
“They’re taking advantage of the beautiful afternoon and have gone out for a run with Arawn and Tighe.”
“A run?” Nox frowned as he started to rise.
“Down!” Merlin commanded and nodded at Nox’s tray. “You can certainly trust a hellhound and an Ossor to look out for them but Fletcher and Shelby are no slouches.”
“No, they’re badasses,” Nox agreed. “What about Tony? Have we heard from him today?”
“You had a text from him while you were meditating at the window. I took a glance and all is well on Pooles.”
“Good. What about?—”
“Niall is in the kitchen with Clancy,” Merlin said with an even more forceful nod at Nox’s lunch.
“Awesome…” Nox grasped the spoon and made himself relax and dip it back into the soup. Everyone else was taking care oftheir minds and their bodies while they waited for news. They would be ready to roll out and fight at a moment’s notice so it behooved Nox to do the same. “Thank you for lunch and for making me eat, Merlin.”
The older man paused in his search and smiled. “That is why I’m here, lad. You never have to worry about being alone and I’ll always make sure you’re dressed properly and well-fed.”
“Yes, you will.” Nox was incredibly grateful as he lifted the spoon to his lips. “I’m truly blessed to have you and I need to do a better job of remembering that.”
Chapter Thirteen
Once he was aware that there was a safe, soft place in his psyche, Nelson spent most of his time there. He mastered the art of shutting down and sinking into the warm peace of Nox’s embrace and the taste of his laughter. And each time he emerged, Nelson was sated and rested and the worst of his wounds were healed. Dùbhghlas and his henchmen hadn’t noticed yet but there was a sense of desperation in their questions and the interrogations were happening more frequently.
Nelson was particularly interested when Dùbhghlas’s henchwoman—Nelson was pretty sure the creature was a woman and the valkyrie Smoak had warned them about—questioned him about their friends.
“Tell us what you know about the oracle and the halfling, Everly Wells.”
The stench of the creature’s breath penetrated the hood, making Nelson gag as his nose ran. He was on his back, the chair had been knocked over because Nelson wasn’t cooperating. Every time he was asked a question, Nelson answered with a loud snore or played stupid.
“Everly Wells? Never heard of him. What’s a halfling?” He received a hard kick to his ribs but Nelson stifled a grunt, breathing through the sharp pain and shaking his head. “Still not ringing any bells. Sorry.” Nelson was used to the taste of his own blood, snot, and tears. It was the smell of decay and sulfur that had his throat clenching every time the seething, hissing voice grew closer.
“Let’s see if I can help you remember,” it said as cold claws gripped Nelson’s throat tight under the hood.
“No! Let go!” Nelson twisted his shoulders and arched off the back of the chair but it was no use.“No!”he screamed as every nerve in his body burned and his vision went bright white. Currents of searing, electric heat raced through him, making Nelson’s teeth rattle, and he was drooling as the skin on his neck smoked and blistered where the creature touched him.
“How did they make the oracle?” it demanded, releasing Nelson’s throat and lowering, resting its weight on his chest.
