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15
NOVA
I have no idea how long it is before Kole is returned to us. As he’s shoved in the door, I fall into his arms and wrap myself into his embrace.
“Thank the stars.” I look up at him and smile. “I thought she might keep you with her.”
“So did I.” Kole smooths his hands over my upper arms then kisses my forehead.
“Why did she let you come back?” Kim stumbles to his feet and folds his arms. He’s curious, not suspicious but it clearly makes Kole uncomfortable.
“I don’t know. Maybe because she showed me what she needed to show me, and now she wants me to ruminate on it.” Kole turns away from Kim and meets my eyes. “Have you slept?”
“What did she show you?”
He swallows hard, and steeples his fingers together. It makes his upper arms twitch, and I swear I’ll never get bored with seeing his tattoos ripple like that.
He looks away from me, and I dip my head to meet his gaze. “Kole… what did she show you?”
Leaning back against the damp, mossy wall of the cell, Kole shakes his head. He reaches back and unfastens his hair from its tie. It’s only then I realize he’s wearing a suit. A black jacket and black pants… no shirt.
Catching me looking, he grimaces. “Zephyra…”
Heat flushes my cheeks. She made him undress in front of her. What else did she make him do?
As if he can read my thoughts, Kole catches my chin with his thumb and forefinger. “I didn’t touch her,” he says. “I wouldn’t.”
I meet his eyes and swallow hard. “If you have to… to catch her off her guard.”
Kole shakes his head.
“Sorry to interrupt—” Kim’s voice breaks through our moment. “What did she show you?”
“Her lab…” Kole braces his hands behind his head, causing his arms to flex. “At least, that’s what she’s calling it. She’s got twenty humans on rotation, bleeding them and bottling their blood for fermentation. When I was last here, she was still catching humans and bleeding them dry. Seems she’s become a little more savvy.”
I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly cold and aware I can’t do anything to heat us up in case the cuffs make my magick misbehave.
Kole pulls me close and hugs me as I shiver.
“What is it?” I look up at him and slip my hands into his. “What is it you’re not telling me?”
“The human who helped me escape when I was last here — Felix. She has him tied up. She’s leeching him – punishment for betraying her.”
I breathe out heavily and squeeze Kole’s hand. “It’s not your fault.”
“It is. I asked him for help.”
“We’ll get him out.” I nod determinedly. “When we get out, we’ll take him with us.”
Kole grimaces but cups my face with his hand and kisses me. “Thank you for saying that Little Star, but my priority is you.”
“And the witch?” Kim ventures.
“And the witch,” Kole replies. “Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten why we’re here.”
* * *
Later, when it has become truly dark and there’s not a glimmer of light coming from the hallway outside, we lie on the cold concrete floor. Kole is curled around me. Kim is by the far wall, snoring.
