Page 96 of Crave Me

Niamh didn’t know much about her, and the woman’s record in the system didn’t reveal much either. However, the witch ancestry had both Kaspian and Vesperus agreeing that she was responsible for the magic on the bullet.

“She might not have spelled it or fired it, but she’ll know who did,” Kaspian had said.

Vesperus had nodded, concurring with his second.

While I accepted their logic, I still wasn’t sure about her guilt. Maybe it was the broken quality of her soul that held me back, but I couldn’t forget the pain radiating from her spirit as though seeking an antidote andbeggingfor help.

And my enchantment wouldn’t seek to assist a cruel being.

Maybe that was really what held me back from believing she could be responsible for this.

Regardless, I listened while Vesperus and Kaspian strategized their next moves. They selected a handful of mercenaries, including Bane and Nox, to quietly search the city for Fallon.

“She may not know that we’ve identified her,” Kaspian was saying. “We can use that to our advantage.”

“She knows I saw her,” I murmured from my position on Vesperus’s couch.

We’d moved the meeting to his office, where Larus and Cara had been working. Niamh had joined us for a bit but had since left to make some personal calls to see if she could learn more about Fallon.

“But she doesn’t know you’re awake,” Kaspian pointed out. “Only a handful of us are aware.”

“Not true. The palace staff know,” Cara said from her position on the floor. She’d scattered out some weapons that she appeared to be cleaning.

Larus sat beside her, helping with the task. His lips twitched as he added, “Which is why Cara and I spread the word that Nyx has no memory of the attack.”

Kaspian and Vesperus shared a look that ended in approving grins.

“That’s a good rumor to keep going,” my mate agreed. “But I’m guessing she’s hiding or using a potion to disguise herself.”

“If she can do that, why not use the potion for herself originally?” I asked.

“You said she was wrapped up in darkness,” he replied. “So maybe she doesn’t need to disguise herself anyway.”

“Because she’s already hiding,” I inferred, nodding. “That would explain why Cara didn’t see her.”

The female fae snorted but didn’t further comment.

“So the scouts might be useless,” Kaspian summarized. “But Slater is on his way with Nolan. I’ll give them the bullet fragments and see if they can use the blood or the spell to track her.”

“And if they can’t?” Cara asked.

“We’ll orchestrate a raid,” Vesperus said, sounding tired. “The future Gold and Garnet Queen was nearly killed. The people will understand.”

“Assuming they’re willing to accept her as their queen.” Kaspian’s voice was soft, but his point settled heavily in the room.

Vesperus fell quiet for a long moment before saying, “You’re right.”

“They just need to get a chance to know her,” Cara murmured. “Then they’ll see how awesome Twinkly is. I mean, she fucking sparkles. She can star in her own disco party.”

Larus chuckled, his dark hair waving with magic against his shoulders as he shook his head.

But Kaspian and Vesperus appeared less humored by her words, the two men sharing another one of those long looks.

After a beat, Kaspian cleared his throat and said, “You know what? I could use a nap. It’s been a long twenty-four or thirty-six or however many fucking hours. Slater and Nolan won’t be here until after midnight. We’ve already decided which mercenaries to send out to scout. I think we’re done for now.”

Vesperus gave him a thankful smile.

However, Cara appeared ready to argue. Only, Larus’s hand on her nape stopped her before she could speak. He told her something with his silver-blue eyes, making her swallow and say, “Yeah, a nap is a good idea.”