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I swallow, forcing a tight smile. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”

They nod, and I turn away, hugging the plate of food and mug of ale to my chest. My pulse thuds loud in my ears, dread pumping through my veins with each heartbeat.She’s here,I think,and if she finds me…

I clamp down on the panic.

“Just get upstairs,” I whisper under my breath, pushing through the crowd.

Get to Roan, feed her, let her rest, and get out.

Jaw set, I take one last steadying breath and hurry back up the stairs. The floor creaks under my stolen boots, an echo of my racing pulse. The dread gnaws at me—my mother is here, and time is running out.

Roan

IhearAria’sfootstepson the staircase and there’s an instant lift in my chest—like she’s carrying sunshine with her.

Avampirecarrying sunshine—imagine that, eh? A small laugh falls off my lips.

By the time the door cracks open, my heart’s already pounding in anticipation, and I must look ridiculous beaming at her like a puppy. But I don’t care. She’s here.

She balances a plate of roasted meat and a tankard of ale, nudging the door shut with her hip.

“Brought you dinner,” she announces, breezing into the room. Her voice is light, playful, but there’s an edge in her eyes that I almost miss.

I push myself up on the bed, ignoring the faint lightheadedness lingering from our…adventure.Totally worth it, I think, a pleased hum escaping my throat.

“You spoil me, Mouse,” I tease, extending a hand for the plate.

She snorts, setting both plate and ale on the bedside table. “Well, I owe you after that.”

Her cheeks color at the memory—I can almost see the moments replaying in her head, the press of her mouth at my neck, the jolt of warmth that followed. And theneverythingelse. A pleasant shiver runs through me at the thought.

“Feels like I’m the one who owes you,” I reply, patting the space beside me.

She ducks her head, but not before I catch the flicker of hesitation in her eyes. It’s fast—so fast I almost miss it—but I know her better than that now. Still, she offers me a small smile, and even with that ghost of something behind her eyes, she walks over and perches on the edge of the bed. Close enough that her warmth radiates through my shirt.

I glance at the food and let out a low groan as my stomach growls. “So, are you actually gonna let me eat, or just make me stare at a perfectly good roast?”

“By all means,” Aria says, scooting closer. “Dig in,mercenary.”

There’s a gentle tease in her voice, and I grin, exaggerated, playing along. “Careful or I’ll withhold all future cuddles,” I warn, waving a piece of meat dramatically in her face.

She smothers a laugh, but it’s tight around the edges. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Want to test me?” I raise a brow, then take a huge bite of the roast. The flavor hits my tongue like a revelation. “By the gods, that’s delicious.”

“Good?” She leans in, bracing one hand on the mattress. Her other reaches up to graze the spot on my neck where she bit me. “Still no pain?”

I shake my head, licking grease from my thumb. “Just a bit of a tingle.” I wash it down with a swig of ale. “Trust me, I’ve had worse.”

A lopsided smile tugs at her lips, but there’s something off in her expression. Her gaze keeps drifting, like she’s trying to hide a shadow in her eyes.

“Glad to hear it,” she says, but her voice wavers just a hair.

I set the food down, appetite fading as unease prickles along the back of my neck. She’s too quiet. Too still.

Something’s wrong.

I reach out, fingers brushing against her jaw, and gently tilt her face up to mine. “Hey.” My voice drops low, steady. “You okay?”