Page 307

A flicker of motion caught her eye—a shadow dropping from the top of the wall, cloak billowing like a dark stain.

In one smooth movement, Skye landed, knees bending to absorb the impact as he expertly harnessed his momentum to rebound into the next step.

He headed straight for Taly.

“I’m fine,” she said to the question she could so clearly see in his eyes. The world was still spinning, and she didn’t know when her stomach had turned to acid. But she was— “Fine. Promise.”

He tugged her hood lower when he was close enough, maneuvering his body so that she was between him and the wall, completely blocking her from sight. His eyes immediately went to the blood on her face. His nostrils flared, shoulders sagging when he realized it wasn’t hers.

Your glamour…he said into her mind.

“I know,” she replied softly, looking him over as he continued to do the same. He was still too pale, and his eyesshone wildly in the dim light. But he was back on his feet, unharmed and whole and standing in front of her now.

The words started tumbling out. “Bill, he… damn it, Em, I was this close. This.Fucking. Close. And I couldn’t stop him. I couldn’t catch him, I—” Angry tears stung her eyes, and she pounded a fist against the wall.

“Can we take a breath?” Skye asked.

She shot him a glare. “I’m having a moment here.”

“Oh, I’m more than aware.” Then one corner of his mouth quirked in that way that said he knew something and was waiting for her to ask the right question.

Usually, she would humor him, but after tonight— “Just say whatever it is you’re not saying.”

Skye heaved a dramatic sigh. “You’re no fun,” he said, grabbing her fist and banging it against his chest.

A hollow clang sounded.

Taly blinked. Her fingers skimmed over something solid—a rectangular shape tucked beneath his cloak.

“Oh, my Shards,” she breathed.

Skye was grinning, trying not to laugh as she wriggled a hand beneath his cloak and inside his jacket.

“Tink, we have an audience,” he said, laughing when she snarled at him toshut it, a moment later producing a metal box that she held up between them.

“You got it,” she whispered. “How—” But she laughed, relief washing through her so sharp and sudden that her knees—

“Woah there.” Skye caught her around the waist before her legs collapsed. “Hey, are you sure you’re okay?”

“Fine,” she said, waving him off. “How do you have this?”

Skye’s smile widened. With a snap of his fingers, a vortex of shadows burst from his palm, tendrils lashing out. They wrapped around the box, pulling—soft at first, then with undeniable strength.

She clung to it for a heartbeat longer before the darkness wrenched it free, spiraling into his waiting hand.

“I was on top of the wall,” he said. “Waiting. Something you would’ve known if you’d been paying more attention.”

Taly pressed a hand to her mouth, not sure if she wanted to laugh or cry as she fell against him.

Skye winced, and she immediately straightened.

“Sorry—”

But he shook his head, kneading his shoulder. “Still a little tender. I’m not sure what that bastard did, but—”

Taly caught his hand, prying it away. There—a strange bit of color peeked from beneath his collar.

She pushed aside his cloak, lifted the edge of his jacket, peeled back his shirt—and stopped breathing.