Page 109 of Bitten & Burned

Dread bloomed heavy in my chest as I struggled to stand, to get out of Anton’s arms.

“I’ll look for him, you stay there,” Quil said, holding both hands out like he was trying to coax a wild animal. Which, I suppose, I sort of was right now.

He disappeared into the hall, and I turned to Anton. “What if something happened? What if they threw him overboard, or if they… if they hurt him?” Tears welled up in my eyes, and Anton tightened his hold on me.

“He’s a phoeline, right?” He murmured. “He’ll come back.”

“Yes, but there are some things they can’t come back from. What if?—”

“FOUND HIM!” Quil called.

My heart settled, but I still craned my neck to see him walk in with Fig, hopefully cradled in his arms.

Quil came through the doorframe, but with Fig dangling by his scruff.

“Give him to me!” I said, reaching out for him.

“He was in the kitchen, taking advantage of the mayhem to eat what looked to be an entire halibut.”

“Fig, no,” I said, reaching for him. He looked nonplussed. And not sorry at all. I looked at Anton. “Did you have plans for the halibut?”

“Yes, but I’m glad it kept him out of their sight,” Anton said, reaching over to scratch his ears. “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to him. His mama loves him so dearly, if her heart broke, mine would be out for blood… yes it would, yes it would,” he cooed at Fig, scratching his ears and under his chin.

I leaned over and kissed Anton on the cheek. “Thank you for not being angry about the halibut.”

“He ate the entire thing?” He asked Quil.

“Phoelines have really big appetites,” I explained. “Something to do with their higher body temperature.”

“Ah, well, I suppose that explains it.”

Footsteps echoed from the stairs.

I froze. Fear burned hot in my throat. In my skin. My belly. I clutched at Anton’s shirt and hugged Fig close to me. “Don’t leave me.”

“I won’t. Quil?”

Quil stood slowly, moving as silently as a shadow to the door. He peeked out, then straightened and exhaled deeply.

“It’s Cass.”

Anton relaxed. I didn’t.

Was I going to be jumpy at every sound now?

“We’re down here in the lounge,” Quil called out.

Cassian appeared in the doorway a moment later, breathless, his hands braced against the frame. His eyes locked on mine.

“Good,” he nodded, his head bowing for a second like the tension had just drained out of him.

“How did you get here so fast?” I asked.

“Ran,” he said.

“From the manor?”

He nodded.