I stiffened.“She said she found a way.”
Voss looked at me then, really looked at me.Worry carved deep lines into his brow.
“How did she die, Piper?”
“I don’t know,” I said.“But she was afraid.She left me a letter because she thought someone might kill her.”
“Do you believe someone did?”he asked.
“Yes.”
“That could explain why the shadow-things are after you,” Voss said.
He stood abruptly, dislodging Willow.The cat landed on the cushion with a disgruntled chirp.
Before I could comment, Voss reached into the air and pulled out a small, glowing device, pressing it to his ear.
“I need the Council.Immediately.”
He turned away, lowering his voice.
I watched him pace, heart hammering.Where was this Council?Another realm?Somewhere watching us right now?I realized I hadn’t asked—and that he hadn’t offered.
Voss stopped.
The color drained from his face.His eyes went wide, unfocused, like he was seeing something no one else could.
“Right,” he said finally.“Thanks.”
The device vanished.
He turned back to us, expression grim.
“I know why the listener came,” he said.“And why they’re circling you.”
Chapter Sixteen
Coldfearskitteredupmy spine like spider legs.Voss’s expression—all grim lines and tight eyes—told me everything before he even opened his mouth.
“Well?”The word came out smaller than I intended.
“The things coming through your crossing weren’t accidental,” he said.“They were sent.”
My muscles locked.Every single one.As if my body had decided that if I held perfectly still, the words would somehow unsay themselves.They didn’t.They hung in the air between us, solid and real, and my worst fear had walked right out of my nightmares and into my living room.
“Sent by who?”Owen demanded, already tense beside me.
Voss shook his head.“It’s not clear yet.”
“Same people who killed Alice?”Owen pressed, glancing at me.
The name still did that thing to me—sharp, sudden pain, like hitting a bruise I kept forgetting was there.
“Possibly,” Voss said.“Whoever it is, we need to identify them.Quickly.”
“And the… listener,” I said, trying for flippant and only half succeeding.“He wasn’t exactly here to compliment my décor.”
A grim look crossed Voss’s face.“That’s the part I don’t like.”
