Page 156 of Where Darkness Falls

She’s okay.

“About bloody time you brutes showed up,” she tearfully laughs, pushing out of my embrace.

“I’m so sorry, Maeva. It’s my fault for not ensuring that Virgil was rested well enough to keep watch,” I say apologetically. “He’ll be punished for his negligence in keeping you safe.” Maeva stiffens, a somber look crossing her face. She opens her mouth, as if to say something, but then closes it just as quickly. “Rosey?” I ask, hoping I haven’t upset her. If the idea of punishing her friend worries her this much, I’ll spare him—for now.

“Virgil was on watch when I was taken?” she asks.

I tilt my head. “Yes?” I reply. “I found him sleeping outside the entrance to the cave after the rest of us woke up and realized you were missing.” Maeva nods, chewing on her lip in contemplation. There’s something she isn’t telling me. Her body language is too rigid and nervous. “What is it, Rosey?” I ask.

“Well,” she begins, but stops once she notices the others. approaching. She twiddles her fingers anxiously. I grab her hands, blocking the others from view.

“You can tell me what’s bothering you,” I say.

“It’s probably nothing,” she whispers, leaning closer. “However, Fearghal, the creature that took me, said that only three of you were there. He claims thethreeof you were sleeping like infants. How couldthere have only been three of you present when I was taken, but four when you woke up?”

I stare at her in utter disbelief. “Are you certain that’s what this Fearghal said?” I whisper. She nods emphatically, which causes my nostrils to flare. “What did this Fearghal look like?”

Then, she tells me in detail of his pimpled and wart-ridden face, as well as all the other features that directly confirm he’s a Pooka. She tells me of his deal with another man seeking to purchase her, as well as how she tried to get away but was almost eaten by him in the process until the Eitcham came to rescue her.

I grind my teeth together, processing all that she’s said.

Three.

Only three.

Why would one of my cadre sneak away in the night?

Maeva says that perhaps the Pooka was mistaken and didn’t count accurately, but from my encounters with Pookas, one thing for certain is that they’re expert mathematicians. Which is why they’re often employed by the crowns when looking into business investments in order to establish the monetary value of such deals. Despite their eccentricities, they’re accurate. So if it claims to only see three, besides Maeva, then there were only three.

However, which one of my respected Cadre—my brothers—are keeping secrets from me?

Laisren never leaves my side.

Riordan can’t even hide a gift for another person as a secret, plus he’s a terrible liar. I would know immediately if he were hiding something.

Unfortunately, the only one left comes to mind:

Virgil has been sneaking out of the palace late at night.

Virgil disappears for days on assignments that he claims Tiernan ordered him to carry out.

Virgil has secluded himself from the rest of us ever since he met Maeva.

Virgil has never allowed anyone close, but has welcomed her in with open arms.

The point to really drive the final nail in the coffin… Virgil claims he never left his post, and just simply fell asleep.

My anger coils within me as the rest of the Cadre dismounts their horses, rushing to dote on Maeva. However, my rage blinds me as my shadows shoot from my hands, pinning Virgil to the nearby tree. He squirms against my hold, calling forth his own shadows, which mine bat away easily.

Maeva pulls on my arm. “Emyr, what are you doing?” Maeva asks. I shake her off as my shadows twist like a noose around Virgil’s neck.

Virgil’s features redden as he reaches for my shadows. “What in bloody Celestae is wrong with you?” Virgil chokes out.

“Emyr, that’s enough,” Laisren shouts.

“Not until he tells me where he really was when Maeva was taken,” I growl.

“What are you talking about, mate?” Riordan asks.