Page 849 of Coal Hearts

“You died,” Krish piped up, sitting cross-legged on the floor watching Tiger as the rabbit hopped around under the side table, sniffing for more grapes. “But you came back.”

The man who looked almost identical to Henri—if Henri hadn’t lost so much weight or been tortured within an inch of his life—cleared his throat and threw my brother a scowl from where he stood by the door.

I went to reprimand him.

To tell him not to look at Krish that way, but then he marched toward me and scowled at my condition. “I’m assuming, seeing as you’re sitting up on your own accord, that you’re feeling much better than you were?”

“I am.” I nodded, stroking the bandage on my neck again. “What happened? Where’s Peter? Where’s Henri? How did I get here?”

“We can get to that. But first...I need your help.”

“My help?”

“May I?” The man looked at my parents. “Can I talk to Ily privately?”

“But she just woke up.” Mum wrung her hands. “Surely, you can—”

“It can’t wait.” The man who I assumed was Henri’s brother crossed his arms. “It might already be too late.”

“Tiger and I will be in our room.” Krish stood and scooped the bunny into his arms, careful to cradle the bottom-heavy creature closely. “See you soon?” He glanced my way, a flicker of fear in his eyes.

I nodded. “Definitely. I want to hear everything you’ve been up to.”

With a short nod, Krish walked toward the door. “Mama, Papaji, leave her with the man with the black heart. His panic is too noisy.”

Henri’s brother shot him another wary look before glowering at my parents until they followed Krish. “We’ll be just outside,” Mum said. “We won’t be far.”

“Okay.” I blew them a kiss, my arm slightly sluggish. “We won’t be long.”

Only once the door shut behind them did the man turn his full attention on me. I stiffened despite myself. His pale green eyes were so aggressive compared to Krish, his temper creeping below the surface of his skin.

He reminded me of Henri so much.

Henri the Master.

Henri from before.

Raising my chin, I said, “I’m assuming you’re Q?”

“I am.” He nodded. “And I’m assuming you’re in love with my brother? That he didn’t lie about that?”

“You spoke to him?” My gaze shot to the door. “He’s here? Why isn’t he—”

“He was here. He hasn’t left your side, but...he witnessed you die last night. He drove away just as your heart started beating again.”

“Drove away?” My nose wrinkled. “Drove away where?”

He sighed and paced the room. “To hunt.”

“Hunt?”

Spinning to face me, he snapped, “I don’t have time to explain. I need your help. Before he does something stupid.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

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Henri