Page 131

When I’d walked into Kai’s lab and seen the strain on them, the state they’d been in, I’d been reluctant to put anything else on them.

I’d even considered not telling them about the Celestial coercion magic being mine, or any of that. But it directly impacted our foursome and had far-reaching implications that I hadn’t been able to hold back from them in good conscience.

But this? This warning from somebody I didn’t even know? It was different.

For one thing, it had come out of the blue.

For another, I was extremely hard to kill. More so than any other being alive. Even Cassius. He was tied to the Celestial Plane, while I wasn’t—the whole bargain and duty thing aside. So it wasn’t believable to me that Sylas’ warning could actually hold merit. Not outright like that, at least.

I needed to investigate further and obtain concrete answers before bringing it to them. I couldn’t stand the idea of putting more weight on them, especially when it concerned me possibly dying, which would be a weight greater than all the rest so far.

It had just been a random warning from an unknown figure. That was all it was at this point. There was no true weight to hisclaims. And there wouldn’t be until I looked into it further. To do that, I needed to know more about my power, my heritage, and my place in relation to the True Celestials. And the key to obtaining that was Cassius, learning from him.

I pushed those thoughts to the background for now so I could focus on the immediate situation before me, and I took in the house.

I knew Grandfather wasn’t home, so Cassius hadn’t come to meet with him.

Grandfather was with Gramps. He’d been freaked that Gramps had been within the vicinity of the attack and that Crossborn had been one of the targets—the very team that Gramps headed and had even created. I couldn’t imagine him leaving his side for a long time to come now. He’d always been extremely protective over him and this would take it to a whole other level.

I zoned in on Cassius’ energy, but I couldn’t make the connection. There was some sort of interference.

I made my way around the outside of the house.

Just as I was turning the corner, I caught sight of him.

Notjusthim.

Velra Nox was with him, clad only in a black bathrobe, her ombre hair both cutting through the night and blending into it.

I hurriedly cloaked myself, then cast anauditory enhancementspell.

And then their voices gravitated toward me.

“I wasn’t in distress, Cassius.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was feelingyourdistress. You were hurting.”

She couldn’t see the evidence of hishurt,because he was now wearing a fresh, clean shirt—this one black linen, not what had become known as his go-to white.

“You needn’t concern yourself with me,little shadow.”

She wrapped her arms around herself. “You saved my life.”

“That cannot be known. It is bad enough that Nyx Laryn is aware. He has no doubt conveyed that to Ariana and her loves.”

“Nyx? He’s a friend of mine. I can talk to him about keeping it quiet.” Her brow furrowed in thought. “Strange, he didn’t say anything about witnessing that when he and Warlow escorted me home.”

“That’s not necessary. Don’t trouble yourself with concern for me. I will see to it.”

“Will you be punished for saving me?”

Cassius reached out and laid a hand gently on her shoulder. “Please heed my words. Do not trouble yourself with this. Concentrate on living your life.” He smiled. “On the good and positive. That cannot come to pass for you if you allow yourself to care for me. I am linked to a fate that does not allow for that.”

“It doesn’t allow for goodness and positivity?”

“That isn’t—”