Page 50 of Taken By Shadows

“They didn’t tell you?” Celeste looked at me, but I just shook my head.

The wave of shame that came over me at the unconventional upbringing I had was irrational. But I couldn’t help it.

“And your magic?” Celeste asked as her eyes fell back to my wrist.

The shake of my head was heavier, slower this time.

Behind me, Kaed’s magic thrummed. It was itching to break through for some reason. Was he angry that I was speaking to Celeste and not him? Or still seething over my walk around the city?

“I’ve never had magic,” I said quietly.

Celeste didn’t stop her inspection of me. Now checking me for other cuts or wounds. Her fingers trailed over my skin, and in their wake, a delicate shimmer, and the cuts healed with a warm hum.

Arms folded, Kaed was stone-faced. No indication that he cared about our conversion.

“You must take better care of her, Kaedian.” Celeste glanced up from her work to pin Kaed with daggers in her eyes and then went back to tending to my wounds.

For a moment, I swore Kaed’s face paled. But it vanished when Celeste looked back at her work.

“I don’t want his help.” My lips were locked tight, and my eyes were hard as flint, ready to ignite.

A flash of something flickered in his eyes, but it was gone when he blinked. “What you need and want are two entirely different things, peach.” He grinned without humour.

“What you need is to stop acting like I’m yours!” I shot, almost forgetting Celeste was in the room.

Kaed seethed before me, and I knew he believed I was his prisoner. At some point, I was going to have to get out of this city, whether Kaed approved of it or not, but if tonight taught me anything, it was that I was going to have to be smarter.

“We’re leaving,” he said without warning. “Celeste. I am in your debt.”

He came to the side of the table and went to pick me up again. I swatted his hands away and swung my feet over the table. With a wobble, I lost my balance, but Kaed’s arms gripped me before I could crash to the floor.

“I don’t need or want your help,” I said, pushing off of him.

The anger I felt towards him for bringing me to this city in the first place was now twining with a gratitude I didn’t want to feel. I would never have needed healing if he hadn’t taken me.

No. You’d be dead in a ditch somewhere if Kaed hadn’t stopped Gold Teeth, a cruel voice in my head reminded me.

“Clearly,” he bit out as he righted me to stand with steadier feet.

We said nothing as his gaze held mine.

I almost forgot there was blood all over me, that Kaed was painted in mine, until I heard someone call out from the foyer as a door opened.

“Mother?” The searching voice echoed through the house, and Kaed stiffened beside me.

“We will speak again.” Celeste smiled at both of us as she ushered us towards the door.

We were cut off by the frame of a male with stocky shoulders and hair that shifted between brown and copper. Taking in the unexpected sight before him, the male halted abruptly.

Gore, ripped clothing, Kaed drenched in my blood.

“Mother! What happened?” His voice was higher pitched than I thought even I could manage.

“Huxley. Wait for me in the parlour.” Celeste’s words were stone. Unwavering. No warmth at all in them.

It wasn’t a pleasant request from his mother.

And then his eyes changed entirely from shock to something far more dangerous.