The black envelope lies between us like a wound.
“It was delivered to my alley,” Aldron says, his voice colder than I have ever heard it.“Past my wards.Past my guards.Past protections older than most of the creatures in this city.”
Krishka’s mouth tightens.“That shouldn’t be possible.”
“No,” Aldron says.“It shouldn’t.”
Briana wraps both arms around herself, then seems to realize what she is doing and forces them down.I see the movement.So does everyone else.No one says a word.
If anyone tries to soften their voice at her right now, I might redecorate the bar with their spine.
Her gaze lifts to mine.For one second, the noise inside me goes silent.There’s fear in her eyes.But beneath it is something sharper.Colder.A blade being pulled slowly from its sheath.
“They want me scared,” she says.
Ari’s voice is gentle but not soft.“Yes.”
Briana nods once.“Then they’re idiots.”
My beast goes still.Pride is not the right word for what moves through me.It’s too clean.This is darker.Bigger.It spreads through my chest until I have to fist my hands at my sides to keep from reaching for her.
Because she is afraid but standing anyway.
Aldron places the bloody card inside a silver tray Krishka produces from somewhere beneath her coat.The moment the card touches metal, black smoke curls from the edges.
Briana flinches, and my feet move before I stop it.Her eyes snap to me.Not yet, they say.Or maybe I imagine that because I need to.I force myself still.
Akasha steps closer to the tray.“There’s magic in the blood.”
“Lucius?”Malichai asks.
Aldron’s fangs slide down.“No.Lucius doesn’t have magic.”
Krishka murmurs a word under her breath.The smoke bends toward her, then recoils.“No.This is witch work.Old, but not old-fashioned.Someone very skilled.”She sounds slightly impressed.
Akasha’s eyes sharpen.“A coven witch?”
“Or someone who has eaten enough of them to fake it.”
Cruz grimaces.“I preferred not knowing that was an option.”
“Most people do,” Krishka says.
Briana stares at the card.“Can it track me?”
Everyone remains silent.
Briana’s laugh is quiet and awful.“I’m starting to hate pauses.”
Akasha gives her the truth.“Maybe.Not through the card alone.But if the blood used to write your name came from you, then yes, possibly.”
The room goes sharp around the edges.
My vision tunnels.“From her,” I say.
Aldron’s gaze cuts to me.“Control.”The word hits my beast like a slap.
Briana looks at me, and I see the moment she understands.Blood.Her blood.They still have her blood.I expect her to sway.To go white.To reach for the bar.She does none of those things.
