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A sharply cleared throat from far too close reminded Sienna it wasn’t the most appropriate time to be losing herself.
But it was Florence, of course, who spoke first. Her voice started as a horror-filled, breathless gasp and quickly rose to a shrill, incredulous shriek. “Wh-what … what have youdoneto me?”
Sienna looked over, Fenn’s arm still low on her waist, and saw Florence just an arm’s reach away. She was on her ass, legs twisted awkwardly to the side and bloody palms splayed on the concrete supporting her weight as she fixed a stare on Sienna that was something between a glare and absolute shock.
Cassian stood only a couple of feet to the side, angled to face them all, a scowl carved into his face.
It was clear she was the one Florence was accusing of whatever had upset her this time, but Sienna couldn’t fathom what that could be. Let alone why it would be her fault. She blinked at the woman she suspected had saved her life and twisted her gaze up to Fenn, who for once, had the least grumpy expression of the group. “Um. What is it she thinks I did?”
Fenn’s arm tightened, as if afraid she’d pull away, and guilt speared her. He did arguably have grounds for that fear.
“You can’t,” Florence said disbelievingly. She sucked in a breath and launched forward, reaching again for Sienna. “It’s mine! I was supposed to takeyour—“
Cassian caught her by a flailing arm and jerked her back, away from Fenn and the still-bare hand he’d already lifted to block the assault. Instead of releasing her, however, Cassian dragged Florence closer and held her awkwardly in front of him. “You did lose something, didn’t you, witch?”
She knew it was petty, but Sienna’s opinion of Cassian spiked with his choice of phrasing. A thought she decided to keep to herself, for whatever dignity that would spare.
Fenn silently helped Sienna to her feet as Florence struggled in Cassian’s grip.
Then, all at once, Florence let out a groan and went limp.
Cassian’s eyebrows lifted, but probably not as high as Sienna’s. Sienna clenched her fists, bizarrely torn as she stared at the woman hanging from his grip. Florence was a terrible person, but she had most likely just saved Sienna’s life—surely to spare her own—and Sienna felt a twinge of obligation.
That turned rapidly into concerning apprehension when Florence began to twitch and jerk unnaturally, her head rolling and her free arm snapping without direction. Her back bowed and one of her legs kicked sideways, almost like she was having a seizure. Or … a vision. Because Sienna’s visions often involved involuntary movement, and the more worked up she was when they hit—or the less prepared—the more prone she was to hurt herself.
Sienna took a cautionary step forward. “What’s happening to her…?” She hated that part of her cared. This woman would have let her bleed out without even blinking if Fenn hadn’t been there to force her to take action. The gods only knew how many people she’d allowed to die right before her eyes, simply for her own vanity. But none of that meant Siennawantedto see her suffer.
Cassian blew out a breath, sounding distinctly irritated, and maneuvered Florence to the ground. He swept a hand over her as her body settled back into something resembling calm, a silver-gray mist trailing in the wake of his movement.
Sienna looked back to Fenn questioningly.
Fenn tipped her chin up and stared intently into her eyes, as if searching for something. His expression betrayed no opinions as to whether or not it was a good thing, or how he felt about whatever it was.
Sienna swallowed nervously and it struck her how silent the space had become. She couldn’t break from his intense stare or retreat from his touch, but her mouth still seemed to work just fine. Of course. “What, uh, what happened to that asshole? Lycus?” A terrible idea occurred to her and urgency rushed through her. “Is he going after my sisters again?”
Fenn’s expression softened and his hand slid along her jaw, settling at the back of her neck. “No,” he said. “He’s dead. He will never hurt you, or anyone, again.”
Relief rushed through her and Sienna nearly stumbled into him.
“Can you sense it, Fenn?” Cassian asked before the feeling could fully settle inside her.
Fenn looked toward his colleague, his frown hardening again. “Yes.”
Silence ticked by for several seconds as Cassian stood again.
Sienna pursed her lips and counted to five. The echo of Florence’s groan seemed to underscore her own impatience and she planted her hands on her hips. “Willoneof you fill me in, please? Sense what? What’s going on?“ She focused on Fenn. “Is something wrong with me?”
“What—“ Florence’s voice was weak, the most vulnerable Sienna had ever heard it, as she pushed upright. “What was that…?”
Cassian’s expression was impassive as he stared down at her. “You had a vision.”
Sienna froze. The air in her lungs froze. She might even have lost consciousness for a moment.
Florence, on the other hand, threw herself to her feet as if she were an acrobat. “I had awhat? Don’t be ridiculous! I’ve never—“ She twisted, facing Sienna and Fenn again, and her glare settled on Sienna. It was oddly reassuring in its familiarity. “You.“ Her blonde hair nearly smoked with her visible fury. “This is what you gave me? You couldn’t at least give me what Iwanted? I was supposed to get your immunity!”
Sienna stared at the woman who would surely have rushed her if not for the hand once again restraining her. Feeling as if she were still learning the language being spoken around her, only understanding every few words and entirely missing the context. Finally, she shook her head. “I don’t understand … I couldn’t have given you visions if I’d tried. They’re not contagious.” That had to be the most ridiculous thing she’d ever been persuaded to say.
Fenn finally spoke up, addressing Cassian. “I can handle this for a minute. You would be better to investigate that altar.”
