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Soreth somehow spun out of Vaszhago’s grasp and drew his own sword. Judging by the smile on the demon’s face, I had to believe he’d released him intentionally. The two stood face to face, and after a good few seconds of staring, Vaszhago’s grin stretched wider.
“That’s cute. Crawling bugs.” The demon’s eyes flared a bright orange, and Soreth cried out, his back bowed and eyes screwed up in pain. “If you’re going to play mind games, go for the gusto.” With ease, he gripped Soreth by the neck and guided him out of my room. “If it’s bugs you like so much, you’ll find plenty down in the cells. Nasty bastards who like to burrow under the skin.”
“Vaszhago,” I said, as he slipped out of the door with Soreth. I wanted to ask if the cell would hold an angel. If it was strong enough to keep him from sneaking out and swiping me up in the middle of the night, because I sure as hell didn’t trust the man who’d just snuck through my window like a seasoned thief. But then I remembered, Vaszhago wouldn’t have chanced putting him in the cell if he thought he’d escape and come after me. “Thanks.”
He gave a slow nod and closed the door behind himself.
I exhaled a relieved breath, hating to admit that Jericho had chosen wisely with him. He’d proven to be exceptionally stealthy and skilled, a loyal protector, even in Jericho’s absence.
Still mildly shaken, I lay back in bed, covering myself in the thick blankets. I closed my eyes, focusing on my breathing.
Calm.
Chilled air breezed across my face, and remembering the window hadn’t been closed from the break-in, I opened my eyes just in time to see a shadow move across the wall.
Oh, shit! Another one!
I shot up in bed, eyes searching the dark room.
No movement.
Gaze trailing the walls, I watched for even the slightest flicker.
Nothing.
I scampered out of bed, crossing the room for the window, which I clicked shut and locked, then hurried back to the bed.
Probably just my brain trying to settle down.Vaszhago would’ve likely caught whoever it was.I had no idea what kind of awful punishment Vaszhago stood to suffer if he failed in protecting me, but it kept the demon on his toes. And again, I hated to admit how much I appreciated that. Jericho had always made me feel safe like that, too, and I was thankful he’d sought out someone comparable in his absence. I lay back against the pillow, and resumed my easy breathing.
A rough kick inside my stomach had me grunting, and I placed my hand against my belly. A hard surface slipped beneath my palm. Something that felt like the broad side of a fully formed arm with an elbow.
An adult arm.
On a startled breath, I removed my hand, and a cold, nauseating gurgle in my chest had me swallowing back the urge to throw up. My hand hovered over my belly as I taunted myself to touch it again.
God, please. Let me feel nothing.
Trembling, I rested my hand there again, and breathed a sigh of relief when there was no movement. A creeping sensation crawled over the back of my neck, as I recalled the conversation with Anya the other day, when she’d rested her hand on my stomach and felt nothing. How much of what I was feeling was real, and how much was in my head? Was anything normal?
I needed to talk to Catriona.Tomorrow.Storms, coupled to my concerns over Jericho, had kept me from venturing into town, but unless I wanted to drive myself crazy with questions, I needed answers.
28
JERICHO
Stay the course.
I clutched the jagged bark of the tree trunk, pressing my forehead against the scratchy surface as a wave of agony tore through me. Onyx stood tied to a second tree, the poor horse probably wondering what the hell was going on since I’d diverted from the trail. The pain had struck just after nightfall, and I should have reached the Vendaris River by that point, which would’ve taken me straight to the wall of Dreadmire.
Unfortunately, my Rur’axze had other plans.
Sweat beaded my forehead, the ache throbbing deep. I breathed hard through my nose, my body trembling, shaking,needing. What I craved was miles from me right then and, if I had to guess, probably fast asleep in dreams.
Farryn.
Gods, even her name sent a new pulse of pleasure, as my mind conjured unbidden images of the night before. Her face glutted in passion as she sat atop of me, her throat so close to my teeth I could almost taste the salt of her skin on the sliver of air between us.
I curled my fingers into the bark, my stomach coiling with the urgency that beat through my muscles.
