Page 30 of A Curse So Vile

Without a word, he stormed from the room, angry with himself for his folly, but he knew he couldn’t allow Fiona to see him in his chaotic state. Despite everything she’s been through, his sister still had a kind heart and seeing him looking guilty would only make her sad.

And he was already responsible for so much sadness.

Forcing a light look on his face, he entered the room. The smell of his sister’s sickness filled his nostrils. It was a struggle not to gag, but he didn’t want Fiona to get embarrassed.

“Look who decided to show up,” Dorthea said. She was sitting at Fiona’s bedside, her hand resting on the child’s wrist.

Fiona looked gaunt, more so than he’d ever seen her look before, and for one terrifying moment, he didn’t know if she was dead or alive.

“While you were off diddling the Dusklander—everyone heard, by the way—your sister was getting ready to pass.”

“She’s still here, though?” he said, his voice near frantic.

Dorothea snickered. “She won’t be for much longer. We should have stayed at the cabin, where she could have passed in peace. But no—you had to take her on a goddamn—”

“Brenna can fix her.”

“Don’t be absurd.”

“She said that she could do something if I pledged myself to her, and I believe her.”

“You’re clinging to false hope. Now come say goodbye to your sister.”

“Never!”

“You would have her leave this world without your comfort?”

“I’ll not have her leave this world at all. Not now. Not like this.”

He fled the room, returning to Brenna’s. She said she’d help, and he fully intended to hold her to that promise.

And if she didn’t, he’d make her pay.

* * *

BRENNA

Brenna sat up in bed with a knowing feeling. If she’d thought yesterday was hard, it was only because she’d yet to live through today.

Fiona was dying, and it was up to her to make her better, and while there were ways to do that, none of them were easy and all of them were foul.

What right did she have to take such matters into her own hands?

None. That was clear by the laws of her people that dated back centuries. She could die for what she was about to do, but she was going to do it anyway, because her life was already forfeited.

The door flung open, and Cole stormed into the room. “There’s no time. If you can do something, it must be now.”

She didn’t blame him for his anger. She’d be furious if she had to live through what he had.

And as selfish as it was, she felt just as sorry for herself as she did for him. Because after today, Cole will never look at her the same. He’ll never trust her. He might very well kill her.

Maybe it would be easier that way.

She exhaled a long breath. “I’ll make good on my promises, but you’ll have to take Dorthea away. I’ll not work under her condemning eyes.”

“What will you do?”

“We can discuss that after. You’ll be allowed back into her room an hour after I’ve entered. Bring food. Lots of it. Meats, cheeses, nuts, eggs. I’ll give you a coin to pay for it all.”