by Meg Anne
Effie chewed on the inside of her cheek, her thoughts churning. “Could it be as simple as dealing with the remnants of Rowena’s false reign? Defeating the Shadows that escaped and preventing them from spreading their corruption?”
“Even if it’s not the answer, it’s what needs to be done.”
Sighing, Effie nodded. “Then we need a better way of tracking the Shadows so they can be dealt with. We only hear about them once it’s too late.”
“Our Guardians said the same thing.”
Effie’s lips twitched. She might not be the one coming up with the big ideas, but at least she was thinking along the right lines. Either that or her time spent with Lucian was starting to rub off on her.
“So, what you’re telling me is we’re already doing everything we can.”
Smoke was kind enough not to mention that’s what he’d been trying to get her to understand this entire time. Sometimes the only way to accept something was to come to the conclusion on your own.
Feeling slightly mollified now that she knew they truly were doing everything in their combined power, Effie readjusted the blanket and glanced back at her mentor. Idly, she wondered when she’d stopped being afraid of his face. She hardly noticed his pitted eyes or scarred lips anymore. Maybe there were just other things that frightened her far worse than he ever could.
“Are you ready to return to our discussion about what you Saw?”
“Why do I feel like you’re really asking me if I’m ready to be reasonable?”
The sound of rustling leaves filled the air. “I know better now than to imply you are ever anything but reasonable.”
“Even when you compliment me it’s tinged with smugness,” Effie griped, certain his words didn’t mean he actually believed what he was saying. It was all an attempt to pacify her and manipulate her into doing what he wanted. Chuckling, she shook her head. “We’ve come a long way from my hurling daggers at you in the forest.”
“Indeed we have.”
“I don’t know how much help I’m going to be. I pretty much told you everything I remember.”
“Close your eyes. Start at the beginning.”
With one last centering breath, Effie did as she was told and descended back into the madness.
Chapter 21
Effie flipped through the pages of her journal, reading and re-reading the same handful of passages until she could probably recite them verbatim, including punctuation. She didn’t know what she was looking for—well, she did; she wanted answers. There was nothing new to be found within those cream-colored pages.
“Never did see the point of reading for pleasure,” Ronan said, startling her.
Effie blinked up at him as the lines of text from her journal momentarily superimposed themselves over his handsome face. Mother, how long have I been here?
“Perhaps that’s because you’ve never read anything worth reading. Although, I would hardly say this is a pleasure read.”
Ronan grinned. “I’ll admit, after learning my letters, I had little interest in anything that kept me indoors. Unless it was going to get me beneath sweet Hannah’s skirts.” Ronan let out a soft sigh. “Alas, it was never meant to be. I never did learn the answer to that particular riddle.”
Effie snorted and tossed a pillow at him. “Brute.”
Ronan shrugged, easily catching the pillow and dropping it onto the empty chair beside him. “I was a teenage boy. You can’t honestly expect more of me than that.”
“Yes, I can. I didn’t know you when you were a teenager, so my expectations are colored by the man I see before me.”
He leaned against the table, making her cup of tea rattle in its delicate saucer. “It’s called growing up for a reason, darlin’.”
She may have no interest in Ronan, but the term of endearment combined with his roguish half-grin still had the power to make her blush.
Clearing her throat, she nodded. “I suppose you’re right.”
Effie was more than familiar with the adage herself. She’d done her fair share of growing up in these past few months, certainly enough to know that growing pains were emotional more often than not.
Lifting a hand, she made to brush away a curl that had fallen free of the braid she’d made along the crown of her head.
“What happened?” Ronan snarled, shifting from playful friend back to attentive warrior instantly.
Effie froze, her hand still half-raised. Eyes wide, she stared up at his thunderous expression. “What do you mean?”
He was close enough that he barely had to move to reach out and gently grasp her wrist in his hand, turning it up until a smattering of purple bruises were clearly visible.
“Who did this?” he asked in a low, dangerous voice.
Effie knew better than to lie to him, but she also knew if she gave him a name, Ronan would tear out of here intent on repaying each mark on her body seven-fold.
“I dealt with it myself,” she answered with just enough bite in her voice that Ronan’s eyebrows lifted.
“Is that so?”
She gave him a dark smile. “He’s lucky I didn’t have my blades.”
Ronan gave an approving grunt. “See that he does not have a chance to repeat the mistake.”
“He won’t.” Effie meant it. She would not hesitate to take Kieran down if he tried to touch her again. Thankfully, Kieran had made himself scarce the last few days, so she hadn’t had to deal with him, one way or the other.
Ronan studied her carefully, his thumb brushing over the worst of the bruises. “That he lives at all is a kindness he doesn’t deserve.”
“It’s a few bruises, Ronan. Not nearly serious enough to concern yourself with.”
“I’ll be the one to make that decision.”
Effie rolled her eyes and bit back a smile. She may not need him to defend her honor, but it meant a lot to her that he was willing to do so. Especially after a childhood where the only person who would have done the same was rarely around.
“Does Lucian know about this?” Ronan asked, his head tilting as he released his hold on her.
Effie shook her head, pulling her sleeve back down over the bruises. They hadn’t appeared until the morning after her run-in with Kieran, and Effie had barely spent more than a handful of minutes with her Guardian since their outing a few days ago. She knew Ronan’s reaction would be mild in comparison to Lucian’s if he found out.
“Do I know about what?” Lucian asked, choosing that moment to walk into the room.
Effie scowled up at Ronan before looking back at Lucian. “Nothing.”
His lips tightened, and he narrowed his eyes. “I don’t believe you.” Shifting his intense gaze from her face to Ronan’s, he asked, “What isn’t she telling me?”
Effie kicked Ronan in the shin, which only made the red-headed warrior laugh. “Oh, now I’m definitely telling him.”
“Don’t you dare!” she said, jumping out of her chair. A moment of inspiration made her blurt out, “You’ll ruin the surprise.”
Lucian gave her a look filled with suspicion. “What surprise?”
Beside her Ronan’s shoulders shook with laughter. He knew she’d just talked herself into a corner and was happily going to stand by and watch her struggle to get out.
“I can’t very well tell you, now can I? That’s the very nature of a surprise.”
“I don’t like surprises,” Lucian growled. “Tell me what you’re up to, fledgling.”
Effie scrambled to come up with a plausible answer, her wide grin genuine as she recalled the carefully wrapped deck of cards that had been in her room. “I wanted to thank you for the gift you left for me.”
Her Guardian’s expression cleared slightly. “I wasn’t sure if you’d still want them after what happened.”
“Of course, I do. They’re the most beautiful thing I own,” she added, her eyes drifting to the journal still open on the table. “Well, one of . . .” A warm heat blossomed in her chest as she realized her two most pri
zed possessions had both been gifted to her by Lucian.
She looked back over to him, confused by the almost shy expression on his face. Shy and Lucian were not two things that went together. Before she could ask about it, his expression shifted, returning to its usual impassive mask.
“Don’t worry about surprising me with anything. Your thanks are gift enough.”
Effie lifted a brow. Now that the idea had taken root, there was no way she was going to let his generosity go unreturned. How she was going to do so was a problem for another day.
Wanting to keep the focus away from her and her bruises, she said, “We’ll have to break the deck in together sometime. Are you familiar with the game?”
Lucian’s eyes heated, and he gave her a slow grin. “Are we going to be playing for the same stakes you used in the tavern?”
There was no mistaking his meaning. She went crimson, her heart rate escalating at the thought of them taking turns peeling off layers of clothing. Desire pooled within her belly as she realized that she would likely be the only one standing naked at the end. Somehow that was even more erotic. Effie squeezed her legs together, shaking her head slightly as she tried to return to their conversation.
“If you wish.”
Lucian’s eyes blazed, the bronze flickering as his smile turned wolfish. “Oh, I’m going to have to insist on it.”
Ronan cleared his throat. “Would you two mind toning it down a bit? I’m still standing right here.”
Effie tore her eyes away from Lucian and gave Ronan a sheepish grin. “Sorry.”
He smirked. “No, you aren’t.”
“I’m definitely not,” Lucian said, making Effie laugh.
“I think this is my cue,” Ronan said, shaking his head as he started for the door.
“Wait,” Lucian said, “I actually came in here for a reason. The Triumvirate have called another meeting. We’re to meet them in the sanctum.”
Effie sobered. “Has something happened?”
Shrugging, Lucian said, “I guess we’ll find out.”
Ronan sighed. “I’ll check and see if Reyna is feeling up to attending.”
A pang of surprise rang through Effie as she realized she hadn’t even once thought about the Night Stalker or the injuries she sustained in the jungle since they returned.
“She’s been asking about you and if you might visit. She’s worried that you haven’t forgiven her for what happened in the cave,” Ronan added, giving Effie a pointed look.
Tinka. To be honest, Effie hadn’t given it a second thought after they returned to the citadel. In the end, it was what needed to be done. She couldn’t blame the woman for being the one to hold the sword that dealt the final blow.
Effie shrugged. Let them believe that for now. It was certainly the easiest explanation. There was no way for her to express the sheer lack of concern she was feeling about the Night Stalker. If anything, she was more worried about why she didn’t care in the first place.
“I’ve just been busy,” she murmured.
Ronan’s eyes were clouded as they met hers, like he could sense the lie behind her words. His look was not judgmental exactly, but filled with something . . . disappointment, maybe.
Giving her a slight nod, he slipped out of the room.
“That’s not like you,” Lucian said once they were alone.
“I know,” she said. Her eyes lifted to his, expecting to see the same disappointment there, but there was none. Only concern.
“Do not be so hard on yourself,” Lucian said softly. “The woman’s death was difficult for you. It’s not unreasonable that you need some time to come to terms with it. You will find forgiveness once your grief has passed.”
Effie pressed her lips together and nodded. “I suppose you’re right. I just need more time.”
The lie settled uncomfortably in her stomach, but she couldn’t bear to see Lucian’s reaction when he learned that she simply didn’t care. Not about Reyna’s injuries or about Tinka’s death. She was too twisted up in knots about everything that was happening, maybe there just wasn’t room left for anyone else. Maybe?
Not even she bought the excuse.
A skitter of warning crawled down her spine, but before she could explore it, Lucian distracted her with a brush of his thumb over her cheek.
His eyes were warm, his lips lifted in a small smile when she peered up at him.
“As for wanting to thank me for the gift, the only thanks I’ll accept is a kiss.”
“I think I can manage that,” she murmured, the warmth of his hand on her skin helping ease the feeling of apprehension that had settled in her chest.
Lifting up on her toes, she molded her lips to his, fire igniting within her as he pulled her body flush to his with a low groan.
“I should have waited until later to take my thanks,” he muttered against her lips, punctuating the statement by trailing feather-soft kisses along her jaw. “One taste of you is never enough.”
“Why stop at one?” she asked, the scrape of his stubble sending shivers along her skin.
“Duty calls,” he said in a husky voice, pulling away.
“Damn your control,” she said without any heat, opening her eyes to smile up at him.
“Never has anyone tested it as much as you.”
“I take that as a compliment.” She smirked at him as she dropped her voice, “And a personal challenge. I look forward to the day I shatter it entirely.”
Without waiting for his reply, she started to move past him, squealing when one of his arms banded around her and pulled her back against his chest, the evidence of his desire pressing into her back.
“Not nearly as much as I do,” he growled low in her ear, before lifting and twisting her in one smooth move.
“What happened to duty?” she asked a bit breathlessly as he pressed her against the wall, her legs winding around his waist.
“Fuck it. They can wait a few more minutes,” he muttered, slanting his mouth back down on hers.
Chapter 22
The best thing about Lucian’s kisses, Effie thought fifteen minutes later as they walked down the hall hand in hand, was that they vanquished all of the darkness that had tried to take up residence within her. With the mere brush of his sinfully soft lips, he’d entirely dispelled the unease and replaced it with a giddy sort of happiness.
Whatever was growing between them gave her hope for a future free of bloodshed. One where she’d wake up surrounded by his strong arms and sleepy kisses, and the most difficult decision they’d have to face was whether they would be leaving their bed.
As he pushed through the sanctum’s doors and they crossed the threshold into the blood-red room, Effie watched that future slip further away.
Grim faces turned to meet her as they moved inside. Ronan stood to the side, his arms crossed and his expression thoughtful. Reyna was nowhere in sight. Kael’s dark skin looked ashen, his dimpled smile notably absent. Kieran was pale and practically vibrating with tension as his blazing eyes found hers.
“What did we miss?” Lucian asked.
“Keepers are missing.” The lone, hooded figure in the center of the room answered.
Effie stiffened, ice running through her veins. “Who?”
Lucian’s hand flinched in hers. He really hadn’t known why they’d been called to meet, Effie realized. Otherwise he never would have let them linger.
“When?” he snapped.
“We know of two for sure—Jo and Tess—but there may be others. We’re still waiting for about thirty to report in.”
Effie remembered stumbling into Kait, who had been searching for them. She’d been in too much of a hurry at the time, but had the other women looked stricken, or was that just how Effie imagined it now that she knew the other two were actually missing?
Effie struggled to remember the last time she’d seen the two women. She recalled speaking to Jo during the party in the citadel, after Rowena had been killed. For Tess, it had been even longer. Ha
s it really been that long?
She knew she’d been distracted with her own assignments from the Triumvirate, in addition to other, more personal matters, but how had she not realized they were missing?
“How long have they been gone?” she asked, the floor feeling like it shifted beneath her feet as a low hum started beneath her skin.
“It could have been days or weeks. There’s no way to know at this point.”
“They were told to stay within the citadel,” Lucian ground out.
Effie could feel the anger rolling off of him. People he was supposed to protect were missing. There was no way he’d forgive himself until they were found.
“Apparently, they felt compelled to travel.”
Lucian bit off a curse. “Do we have any clue where they might have gone?”
Smoke, or perhaps one of the Mirrors, lifted a hand to gesture at Kieran. “The Dreamer is the one who notified us of their disappearance. He’s had another vision.”
Lucian twisted to Kieran, his eyes bottomless. “Where?”
“I will take you there,” Kieran said, his voice filled with barely veiled disdain.
Effie knew that he hated that Lucian was touching her. Even now, in the midst of a crisis, he was still hung up on perceived slights.
“You will stay, Dreamer, and go over the details of your vision.”
“What?” Kieran snapped, turning to the man on the dais. “I’m the only one that knows where to go.”
“Lucian and Kael know the jungle better than anyone. Tell them where to go. They will know what to look for. You will stay and review the vision in detail. The last one you had turned out to be a marker. We cannot afford to miss a single clue.”
“I’ve already told you what I Saw—”
“If you’d rather, I can take the vision from you . . .” the robed figure trailed off, lifting his runed hand higher.
Kieran stiffened, his hands balling into fists. “You will not.”
Effie knew better than the others how much Kieran hated the possibility of the Triumvirate stealing his other thoughts. To him, it was the worst kind of violation. He’d shamed her for allowing them to do the same to her.