Page 124 of Taken By Shadows

“Hmmm?” Audrie lifted her head from the book, and Turnip shifted on her lap. “Who is coming back?”

“Kaed. He’s been gone for days now.”

Audrie flicked a page over, chagrin barely at bay as she found nothing again. “He’s not gone. I’ve seen him. He leaves early in the morning for meetings with the council, or training with Gavrin and Dee.” She didn’t even look up, as though this wasn’t important at all.

“And?” I hedged. “What about after that?”

“I’ve seen him leave for the outer hills.”

I blanched a little at that.

“Don’t worry. They’re within the confines of the city.” She finally looked up from her book, and she must have read the concern in my eyes because she put her hand on mine. “He’s not going to be taken again.”

I slid my hand out from under hers. “Why is he going up there?”

Audrie shrugged and flipped another page over. “There’s nothing in this one.” She stood, clearly forgetting Turnip was there because he let out a disgruntled yowl as he was displaced. “I’ll be back. I’m not sure we’re looking in the right places.”

Left alone, I closed my eyes briefly. Just to shut out the work, the research, the thoughts of my fingers on Kaed from that night.

My eyes snapped open as I felt the presence of someone standing over me.

“For you.” A thorned rose had been forced into my face. Huxley loomed over me, his russet curls combed back in snaking waves.

In a rush, I tried to stand, but he pushed the rose farther, almost to my chin.

“Huxley.” I tried to bat the rose away as gently as I could. “You shouldn’t have, thank you. But I—” I fumbled my words as I stood.

Get out of here. I wanted to get out of here.

I came around the back of my chair to put something between us as I gathered myself. What was he doing here? Again.

Was he that eager for a beating? To him, Kaed and I were an item.

“Must you go? Or do you just not like my company?” His question was quick. Sharp. Frustration dripped from his tongue.

“No … I …” What did I even say to that? “Kaed, Prince Kaedian …” Why was this so difficult to get out?

Huxley took a step towards me, now just a wooden bench keeping him from taking up the last space between us.

“He’ll be looking for me.” I tried to skirt past Huxley, but his hand shot out to block off my route.

A layer of cool ice settled across my skin. “Let me pass,” I said, as politely as possible.

“I just want to get to know you a little better.” His smile was more of a sneer as he inclined his head towards me.

Where was Audrie? Gavrin? I looked past Huxley, avoiding any connection I could with him, and searched for anyone who might notice us here.

I smiled up at the male before me but the expression was drawn. Then I noticed the watery look in his eyes, the wide pupils and the slackness in his joints.

He had a burn of spirits on his breath, and there were stains on his lapels and sleeves as though he’d been out all day and all night in the taverns.

I felt like a cornered animal in the small alcove of the dark booth with a rabid predator circling the den.

“How … how have you been? Do you work in the city nearby?” I tried to make polite conversation while looking for a way past him.

The questions were stupid, weak.

“No.” His one word was slurred as he widened his lips until they were garish across his face.