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Then the next.

Then the next.

Dawn approached, the dark of the Long Night shifting to a slightly paler shade of gray.

She heard voices—heard the gates to the townhouse creaking open.

Someone was calling her name, but she didn’t answer. She sat frozen, flipping through page after page of damning evidence.

A moment later, Aiden leaned around the partition. “Eliza sent me to tell you that breakfast is ready, and you better hurry because…” His voice trailed off, a look of surprise on his face when he found her on the floor, books scattered all around.

Taly didn’t look up. “Did you know?” she asked softly. Her fingers trembled against the page. “Your name is in his notes. Did you know what he was doing?”

She heard Aiden sigh, his feet shifting. “Taly—”

“Did. You. Know.”

A pause. Then, “Yes.”

Taly exhaled against the ache in her chest.

“Who else?” When he didn’t answer, she lifted her eyes to his. “Who else knew what he was doing?”

“Taly, I really think this is a conversation you should be having—”

Snarling, she flung the book away from her. Flung herself to her feet. The bins of crystals on the table rattled ominously as around her the workshop stuttered, edges trembling, shadows stretching too long between blinks.

Aiden took a step back.

“Who else?” And there was enough quiet venom in her tone that Calcifer growled.

Aiden sighed through his nose, eyes dropping to his feet.

“Oh,” she said, and the shadows stilled.

Everyone—everyone had known. And they’d kept it from her.

“Taly—”

“Don’t.” Her hands clenched at her sides. Her body was shaking. She didn’t know if she wanted to scream, cry, or punch a wall.

Aiden’s eyes flicked to the door. She didn’t have to look to know why. Didn’t have to ask to know who those footsteps belonged to as the scent of sandalwood and suede surrounded her.

Bending over, she gathered up the rest of the books. She was back on her feet by the time Skye appeared, coming to stand beside Aiden. His armor was dusty, his cloak caked with snow. Dirt and exhaustion lined his face as he heaved a large pack off his shoulder and onto the floor.

She ignored the part of her that rejoiced at seeing him after so many days apart, ignored the mirror for that joy she could see shining in his eyes, and slammed the books into his chest.

Surprise had him stumbling back, grappling to catch what he could and letting the rest fall.

“You’re a fucking hypocrite,” she snarled.

Then she pushed past him. And didn’t look back as she retreated through the door into the snow and darkness.

Chapter 53

Taly was halfway to the house when Skye came running after her.

“Taly—”