Page 167 of Of Masks and Fury

Trew’s eyes met mine, and I saw my own horror reflected there.

“The Day of Mercy,” he said hoarsely. “Harvesting magic from the condemned. It would give them a renewable source.”

“Enough to sustain something dead. To keep themselves alive despite the body’s breakdown.” My mind raced, connections forming. “And if they had access to multiple courts’ resources…”

“They could gather the ingredients for bloodfire poison.” Trew stood, pacing to the window. “They could maintain themselves for years. Decades even.”

I joined him. “Your father discovered this. And whoever’s behind it may have killed him to keep it secret.”

“Coralee said she destroyed all other evidence, but what if they had this research before she could eliminate it?”

The pieces were there, scattered across Coralee’s careful documentation. But the picture they formed was still incomplete and out of focus. Someone wearing two faces. A person who had access to multiple courts. Alive despite using magic that should’ve killed them.

“I assume the second controller is their anchor,” I said, wondering who that might be.

Trew gathered the papers, sliding them back into the portfolio. He placed it inside a cupboard, below a false bottom, then warded the cabinet itself. “Someone would have to know what they are looking for to find this now.”

Returning to the desk, he stared at his father’s unfinished notes. “I suspect whoever killed your mother and my father is still out there, still controlling the Skathes and maybe using bloodfire magic to sustain their deteriorating life.”

“If they looked the same, it could be anyone. How will we identify them?”

“We may find answers with Addie.”

“I hope so, because whoever this is, they’re hunting us.”

“We may be chasing ghosts.”

“Not ghosts.” I turned to face him fully, my hands finding his chest. “They’re shadows with teeth, and we’re going to drag them into the light.”

His arms came around me, pulling me close enough that I could feel the steady thud of his heart beneath my palms. “You’re fierce when you’re determined.”

“I learned from the best.” I tilted my head back to meet his gaze. “You’re not exactly known for backing down.”

“True.” His mouth curved, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “But I’ve had years to build that reputation. You managed it in weeks.”

“I learn fast.”

“You’re stubborn.”

“We’re going to find the truth about all of this and end it. Burn the entire place down, remember?”

“That was meant for Caldrith.”

“My ancestral home.”

“I’ll do what I can to preserve the structure, but your father owes me for hurting you.”

“He owesme.” Would I ever be strong enough to face him and make him back down?

I’d find a way.

“We’ll make whoever’s responsible pay for this.” The words came out cold. Final. “Every life they’ve taken. Every secret they’ve buried.”

Trew’s eyes darkened with fierce approval. “There’s my bloodthirsty minx.”

“I thought I was your radiant celestial body.”

“That too.” He leaned down and gave me a quick kiss. “Though I prefer the version that threatens vengeance.”