Page 13 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood

Finn stares at me, and his eyes widen as a small laugh leaves his mouth. “By the gods, it actually worked.”

His words seem to be aimed at me, yet he is not quite looking at me.

“What worked?” I ask.

“Look in the mirror.”

I turn my attention to the small circular mirror he has hanging behind his counter, and a gasp escapes me when I find nothing looking back, only an empty space where I’m supposed to be standing.

Impossible.

“I don’t understand. How the hell did you do that?”

“It’s a new thing I’ve been working on. Vampire venom can glamor stuff if you know what to mix it with. Just keep still and don’t speak.”

“Wha—”

Before I can finish my sentence, he rushes in the direction of the door, unlocks it, and then swings it open. I bite back a gasp as three tall figures step inside, their hooded cloaks shielding their faces. Their boots thud against the floorboards as they advance, and a chill snakes up my spine.

The one at the front slips the hood from his head, revealing an angular face framed by dark strands of brown hair that hang low on one side. He brushes away the flecks of rainwater from his olive skin as his sharp brown eyes scan the room, brushing over me before returning to Finn’s.

My heart pounds inside my chest.He didn’t see me.

No, he didn’t.I can hear the surprise in Athriel’s voice.

“What took you so long?” he asks. It’s the same deep voice as the one that was threatening to kick the door open, except there is something smooth and deadly lurking beneath it. The other two keep their places behind him, hoods up and shrouded in darkness as they remain unmoving.

“I was cleaning up. You’re early.” Finn rubs his hands down his apron to further prove his point, but even I can spot his nerves from a mile away.

Get it together, Finn.

I told you he was a terrible addition to your already flawed species.

He’s just nervous.

Perhaps.He pauses for a moment, and I can tell his attention is on the man at the front.I don’t like him. There is something odd about his presence.

You feel that too?

Yes, it is dark,he says.

A ripple travels up my spine at his words. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels it.

“Who else is here?” The stranger’s words snap my attention away, Athriel’s voice fading to the back of my mind. I freeze, too afraid to move, as his dark eyes sweep the room again.

“I told you already, I’m alone.”

“Then why don’t I believe you?”

Because he lies like a petulant child.

My heart is beating too fast to give much acknowledgment to Athriel’s words.He knows I’m here. I don’t know how, but he knows.

You can take him.

There’s three of them,I hiss.

I have trained you in the art of combat since the age of ten. Do not insult me by showing such fear.