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Chapter 26

Galleghar and theThief share powers.

I don’t know how or when or why the two of them are linked up, but I would stake serious money the two are cobound. That would explain why Galleghar keeps popping up during our search for the Thief. He’s hooked on the same magical powerline that the Thief of Souls is. So long as their magic is bound together, you can’t have one without the other.

The proof of their strange partnership is mapped out on the timeline. Centuries ago Galleghar is killed, only his body is incorruptible, defying the natural order. For two hundred years he lay dormant—much like the sleeping soldiers—until he was awoken by a shadow—a shadow similar to the one that haunted the sleeping women and the casket children.

When I turn to face Des, he looks … horrified. The expression is only there for a moment before he tucks it away.

His gaze moves to mine. “Gods.” He takes a step closer. “That would explain why my power wouldn’t destroy the sleeping soldiers.”

Because the shadows are loyal to their own. Even if the Thief isn’t a Night fae, his life and magic is cobound to a man who is one.

The darkness will betray you.

I grab my notes and read over the list of the Thief’s traits. His powers obviously have something to do with necromancy, but necromancers are mortal, and the Thief is not.

“Des, can you think of any fae that can do what the Thief can?”

It’s an old question, one the two of us have run around a dozen times already. So I’m not surprised when Des shakes his head. Whatever the shadows tell Des, they won’t tell him this. There are some secrets not even they will give up.

Unfortunately, those are the secrets worth knowing.

The day passesidly enough. Des and I have a proper breakfast, then lounge and bask in each other, and the hours flit by.

By midday, I’m swimming in the ocean beneath Des’s house—I even manage to drag the King of Night into those chilly waves. And, far from shore, I show him that sirens don’t just like killing men in the water.

We enjoy fucking them too.

At some point we head back over to my house. Des fixes the busted faucet in my spare bathroom, and I give him a very personal thank you. We cook, we chat, we enjoy each other.

It’s simple and lovely and quintessential—and yet.

Neither Des nor I get to have this life—not while the Thief and Galleghar are terrorizing the world—and no amount of bargaining can change that. At some point, our little vacation here on earth will end, and then we’ll have to go back to the Otherworld and deal with all the problems we left behind.

I spin my engagement ring round and round my finger. And then, abruptly, I stop spinning it as a thought comes to me.

There is one thing I’d like to do before our time here is up.

My gaze moves to Des’s. “Take me to Venice.”

It’s been eightyears since I’ve been to this place. Eight shockingly long years. And yet, walking next to the canals, you’d think it was only yesterday that I convinced Des to take me on one of his bargains.

Even now my heart skips a beat, remembering that first time I watched him work. His world was supposed to frighten me, but it had the opposite effect. I got a taste for his secrets, his favors, hismagic. That was the first night I peered into his world.

So it feels only right to come back here now.

Next to me, Des studies my face. I still haven’t told him my reasons for coming here.

“Secrets, cherub, aremything, not yours,” he says. But his eyes are bright, like he very much enjoys whatever little trick I have up my sleeve.

It’s a good trick too.

“Give me an hour alone.”

Des raises his eyebrows. “What mischief are you going to get into without my company?”

Awww, is someone feeling excluded? Too bad.