Page 76 of The Faceless Queen

“There have been some reports of late in Eskalon of a growing threat,” he said.

“A threat?” I asked, my voice too high.

“You know we face chimera here. They rarely cross the borders into our territory, but there was an attack outside the city a few nights ago.”

My pulse. I know. I was there. So were you. But did Olivay know? Would he admit such a thing to her? To where he was, or who he was with? Was that what this was? His confession? Or …

“Was anyone hurt?” I asked quickly, the question genuine. I’d needed to know for days and had no one I could ask to confirm.

“Yes,” Brennan said, and sighed. “Many were. A tavern in Batron, a small town at the edge of the city, was the site of the attack. Between the attack and the subsequent fire that raged, it was destroyed. Many were injured, but they are healing. No one died. Our hunters are tracking all related activity.”

“No one died?” I asked, tears burning the backs of my eyes.

“No,” Brennan said softly. “Thank the Gods.”

My breath was shaky. I hadn’t realized just how much fear I’d been holding onto since that night—how horrible it was to not know. Finlay, Thomas, and Cecelia were safe and in the castle. But I’d had many acquaintances, cooks, maids, and patrons whose fates had remained a mystery. And others who I did not know but would still not wish harm upon. Even Brennan himself had been injured—had nearly died. And only then could I feel full relief for it all.

Brennan watched me carefully, his eyes filling with concern. “Olivay,” he said, and gestured to my hand. “May I?”

“Um.” I tried to speak, but I was on the verge of tears. One more word and I would cry. So I nodded.

He threaded our fingers together and held my gaze. “Everyone’s okay,” he said. “I promise you.”

I stiffened, suddenly so afraid I’d start to feed again from our touch. But he was offering nothing.

“I did not expect—” He stopped himself, shaking his head and looking away.

“Did not expect what?” I asked.

He exhaled a nervous breath, turning back to face me. “Don’t think ill of me. But I did not expect your heart to be … as caring as yours is.”

My throat went dry. “I … I do not show it so easily to those I do not yet know,” I said, hoping it was a believable answer for Olivay. His thumb rubbed against my skin, and I knew I needed to end this before his emotions rose, before the Azete could feed from him. “Is this news of the chimera what you came to tell me?” I asked.

It worked. The hint of the connection forming between us broke.

“Partly. But there’s one more thing,” he said. “Before I explain, I want you to know that you are safe and well protected in Lafir Castle.” He gestured to the door. “All of my men who are sworn to protect me with their lives will do the same for you—even before we wed. You have no reason to feel worry or fear.”

“But you’re here now, telling me this, against counsel, so there must be a reason.”

He took a deep breath, and again that feeling of guilt washed over him. The feeling he had when he thought of me as Samara.

“Our soldiers are also tracking a demonos in Eskalon.”

My heart stopped beating. “Oh?” My hand began to shake.

Brennan covered it with his palm, sandwiching my hand between his. “There will be an increased presence of soldiers in the castle through the wedding, just as a precaution. You will be safe and protected. I swear it to you. But I didn’t want you to wonder why so many soldiers were about. I didn’t want you to fear.”

“I see.” The extra soldiers would be looking for me. Trying to find the woman Brennan had met, the Azete he’d seen shift. “May I ask …”

“You can ask me anything.”

“Is the demonos close? Where was she seen?”

Brennan sucked in a breath. “The reports came from beyond the city. Closer to the wilds which neared the borders of Eskalon. Far from the castle.”

The last place he’d seen me—by the lake. After I’d pulled him out and gave him my breath. If that was where the soldiers had gone looking, it would buy me time. But I worried for the women in the town—the innocent ones that would be accused and boxed. And then what happened when they started to expand their search? To look closer and closer to the castle.

“And,” I said, my heart thrumming, “We don’t have such things in Spartva,” I said, taking a guess. I’d never heard of my people going there. We liked to stay together. And if we had wanted to travel, the way had been blocked. Our access to the shores, to the waters, and even boats had been taken a long time ago. “How exactly does one discover the presence of a demonos? How can you tell that you see one?” I had to know. Had to know what they were looking for.