Page 49 of Dark Bringer (Lord of Everfell #1)

Kal

I t was almost the midwinter Caristia holiday and festive strings of white lights decorated the trees in Lavro Park.

The air held a crisp edge that promised snow flurries, and a vendor did a brisk business selling hot cider with cinnamon sticks in paper cups.

Couples strolled arm in arm along the gravel pathways, heads bent close. Everyone seemed to glow with happiness.

Kal envied them. She’d forgotten what it was like to lead a normal life. To be called by her own name and not be constantly looking over her shoulder. Her brother Bastian would be sick with worry by now, but without an identity card she was stuck in Arjevica.

Nerves made her low-heeled shoe jink a fast rhythm against the park bench. It was a risk meeting Levi again. She had everything to lose and nothing to gain. She knew that.

But something drew her to him. He dressed like a rich boy, but he didn’t act like one.

In a way, he reminded her of Durian when they first met.

There was something different about Levi, like he didn’t quite fit in with other people.

She sensed a fierce intelligence, but also loneliness.

He had secrets. Yet she felt safe with him and her instincts were pretty good.

“Plus he’s gorgeous,” Durian remarked. “Just saying.”

Kal rolled her eyes. “You’re so shallow.”

He chuckled. “Takes one to know one.”

Sadly, Durian had her number. Kal’s heart beat a little faster when she saw Levi enter the park. He wore a gray wool coat and flat newsboy cap, his short-cropped chestnut hair brushing his nape. One arm cradled a bottle. He grinned when he saw her.

“You came,” he said in that quick, musical accent she couldn’t quite place. “I was bracing myself for rejection.”

“Oh, really? But you’re the one who’s late,” she teased.

“Only by three minutes,” he protested. “And that’s because the line at Falin’s was out the door.” He shook his head. “The Caristia crowds.”

“How dare they have fun?” Kal said in mock outrage.

He frowned. “I suppose they have as much right to as we do.”

She shook her head. Levi was very literal-minded. “I was joking.”

“Ah.” He took out a corkscrew and deftly twisted it into the bottle. The cork came free with a soft pop. His blue eyes twinkled. “Ladies first.”

“Oh, I get it.” She cocked a brow. “You’re testing it out on me to see if it’s as gods-awful as last time.”

“Is it that obvious?”

Kal accepted the bottle with exaggerated reluctance and took a sip. She didn’t know much about wine, but it was better than the cheap zelas. “Hey, that’s pretty good.”

He looked relieved. “The owner of Falin’s said you like red Gamay.”

In fact, her clients liked Gamay, but Kal wasn’t about to tell him that. She felt touched at the effort he’d made.

“I think you splurged,” she said, holding up her long blue nails, which sported fake diamonds. “That wine not only tastes expensive, but I bet it wouldn’t even strip off my polish.”

Levi laughed. “We can’t endanger those nails. They look like they took a long time to paint.”

“Oh, I don’t do them myself. We practice on each other. It’s all part of the exciting cosmetology track!”

Kal had planned to play the part of Kyra Navarra with all earnestness, but she couldn’t keep the sarcastic edge from her voice. She could tell he picked up on it and quickly took a swig from the bottle. “Happy Caristia!” She lifted it in a salute, then passed it back.

“Caristia Eve,” Levi corrected, taking a long swallow. “Which is even better because all the shops are still open. Have you eaten, Kyra? I’d love to take you out to dinner.”

She glanced longingly at the row of cozy, elegant restaurants just a few blocks away. But it was too dangerous. What if she ran into a teacher from the school?

“Oh, I already ate,” she said. “But thanks.”

Levi nodded. Their first awkward silence fell.

“So . . .” she said. “You never told me what you do.”

He leaned against the bench. One arm casually draped along the back, though he didn’t touch her. “I work for my mother.”

“What’s she like?”

“She loves me. She loves all of us. But she isn’t easy to please.”

Levi offered the bottle. Kal passed. She hadn’t eaten a bite since breakfast and the wine was going straight to her head.

“Doing what exactly?” she pressed.

His eyes met hers. “Mother has big plans for me. But right now, I fix problems.”

She waited, but he said nothing more. “Well, that’s not vague,” she teased.

He thought for a minute. “Let’s just say my mother has interests throughout the empire. When those interests are threatened, she sends me in to get things back on track.”

The wine loosened her tongue. “Ah, so your mother doesn’t always see eye to eye with the law, I take it.”

“Human laws? Or angelic laws?”

“I don’t know. Aren’t they the same?”

“Not always. But my mother is a law unto herself, Kyra.”

Across the street, the doors of the Orlov Theater swung open.

A stream of ballet patrons spilled onto the steps, their voices rising like birds taking flight.

Women in sparkling sheath dresses, men in black tie and long woolen overcoats.

Sleek automobiles pulled up alongside caracal-drawn taxis, the drivers leaping out to open doors.

“Have you ever gone to the ballet?” Kal asked, thinking it looked nice.

Levi shook his head. “I’d rather be sitting here with you.”

A group veered towards the park. Kal’s heart stopped. Lara Lenormand walked arm in arm with a tall, auburn-haired witch. He said something and she threw her head back and laughed. A choker of emeralds and sapphires gleamed at her throat. Five seconds and she’d walk right past the bench.

It was too late to slink away. In desperation, Kal turned toward Levi. “Play along,” she whispered. His blue eyes widened as she leaned in and kissed him. He tasted sweet like the wine, and he smelled even better. Some expensive aftershave that made her think of dark pine forests.

Levi stiffened. Then one hand cupped the nape of her neck, the other settling at her waist and drawing her closer. Kal was vaguely aware of the group walking past, but most of her senses were consumed with his firm lips and the way he kissed her, like nothing else existed in the world.

Lara Lenormand was long gone by the time she found the resolve to push against Levi’s chest. He gently nipped her lower lip, then drew back to look at her face, his gaze heavy-lidded.

“That was . . .”

“A distraction,” she said hoarsely. She peered over his shoulder. Lara and the other witches were halfway across the park.

Levi followed her gaze. “Who was that? One of your teachers?”

“Worse,” Kal admitted. “The dean of the school.”

“Then I’m glad she’s gone,” he said, adding softly, “but I’m not sorry she passed by.”

Kal looked away, cheeks burning. “Let’s go somewhere else. This is too public.”

He corked the bottle. “I know just the place.”

“Not your flat,” she said quickly.

“Don’t worry, Kyra. I don’t expect anything from you. Not unless you give it freely.”

She relaxed. “What did you have in mind?”

“A change of scenery. You won’t run into any teachers, I can promise that. It’s not far and the view is spectacular.” He tilted his head toward the clocktower about a half mile away, its four illuminated faces marking the hour for all of Arjevica. “My cousin works there. I have a key.”

She hesitated. “Just so we’re clear. Don’t think taking me somewhere private is going to get you into my pants?—”

He frowned slightly. “If anyone should be worried about being taken advantage of, it’s me.”

“What?”

“Your gun pressed into my, ah . . . ribs when you grabbed me. You’re not as subtle as you think.”

She laughed despite herself. “No offense, but a girl needs protection in this town.”

Levi’s gaze darkened. “I’m your protection, Kyra. Nothing will ever happen to you while you’re with me.”

He looked dead serious. It was sweet. Maybe a little creepy, too, but still sweet.

“Fine.” She smiled. “Show me this famous view.”

They left the Beaux Arts district and walked through the hub of the provincial government. The buildings were closed for Caristia, but they had pretty wreaths and colored lights decorating the outside.

The clocktower stood just past the popular assembly. Levi unlocked the door and led her to a winding staircase.

“There are four hundred and twelve steps,” he said. “Think you can make it?”

She snorted. “Of course I can.”

Kal’s legs began to burn around step two hundred. The spiral was relentless, winding ever upward into darkness, occasionally broken by small windows that offered glimpses of the city falling away beneath them.

The stairs ended at a wooden trap door. He pushed it open and climbed through, then turned back to offer her a hand. She took it, his warm palm sending little jolts across her skin.

The belfry was a forest of massive wooden beams, gears as tall as a man, and iron weights suspended on chains. Narrow catwalks wound between the mechanisms, leading to platforms positioned at each of the four clock faces. The air smelled of oil and dust.

He led her along one of the catwalks and stopped at a platform behind the eastern clock face. It was clear glass, except for the huge hands, and Arjevica spread out below in a sea of lights.

“I like high places,” Levi said. “They give you a fresh perspective.”

The soles of her feet tingled looking through the clock face. They had to be three hundred cubits in the air. A wave of vertigo swept over her.

“Not me,” Kal said, trying to keep the panic from her voice. “I don’t mind tight spots, but I don’t like heights.”

Levi frowned. “I’m sorry. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have brought you.”

“I didn’t know until now,” she admitted, hands shaking. “Damnit . . .”

He pulled her closer, resting his chin on the top of her head. “Just close your eyes and hold onto me. I won’t let you fall.”

His heart beat steadily against her chest. Kal’s own pulse started to slow.

“I’ve made mistakes before,” he said quietly, “but I don’t want to make one with you.”

“I . . .” She didn’t know what to say. “Levi, I like you a lot. But I don’t want to stay in Arjevica.”

He didn’t tense or push her away. All he said was, “That’s obvious.”

It felt so good to snuggle into his warm coat. “I”m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to lead you on.”

“Don’t be sorry.” His warm breath tickled her forehead. “I want you to be happy, Kyra. What’s stopping you from leaving?”

She opened her mouth to lie, then reconsidered. He was the only soul she knew here besides the other students. She’d considered putting the word out among her client network that she needed a fake ID, but it was too much of a risk if one of the teachers found out.

Since that night at the park when she stupidly wrote Durian Lives in lipstick, Kal had sensed time running out. It wasn’t a matter of whether she wanted to stay anymore. The only question was how long she could get away with this charade before the white witches found her.

And she had a feeling it wouldn’t be much longer.

Levi might be her best hope. His mother sounded like she associated with some shady people. He’d kept Kal’s secret about sneaking over the wall. It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to admit that she wanted to leave the Lenormand School for good.

“I lost my identity card,” she said, “and I can’t go home for it. So I’m kind of stuck.”

Levi pulled back to look her in the eye. His handsome face was grave. “I can help you with that.”

“Really?”

“Sure. I have connections.”

Her heart soared. “How much would it cost?”

“Nothing. Consider it a favor.”

Kal didn’t like owing people. “I can pay my own way. How much?”

His gaze lingered on her lips. “Virtue is its own reward.”

She snorted. “You deserve a real reward.”

A rumble like a purring cat came from his throat. “How about another kiss?”

Oh, it was tempting! “How about five draghas?” she countered.

His smile dazzled. “If you insist, I’ll accept one dragha. Reluctantly .”

“You can’t buy a cup of kopi with one dragha!”

Levi sobered. “Well, that’s all I’ll take.”

She didn’t want to seem ungracious. “Thank you. It means a lot. How long?”

“Let me talk to some people. I’d say a week or so.”

His arms were still firmly around her. She realized that her vertigo had faded. In the darkness of the clock tower, she could see the moon floating above the city, half in shadow, half in light.

“Why are you helping me, Levi?” she asked.

“Because it’s the right thing to do,” he said quietly.

“I can tell you’re scared of something. You put on a brave face, but you wouldn’t be at the Lenormand School if you weren’t running from something.

If I had the power, I’d deal with whoever it was myself.

But for now, I can make sure you keep a step ahead. ”

She absorbed this in silence for a minute. “That’s it? You’re not going to ask me who it is?”

“No. If you wanted to tell me, you would.”

His shoulders tensed as three seraphim flew past the clock tower, their great wings beating hard.

In the distance, Kal saw more angels speeding above the city.

They were a common enough sight, but usually they were headed to and from the Angel Tower.

These . . . well, the way they were quartering the streets below, they seemed to be hunting for something.

It can’t be me, she thought with a shiver. Can it?

“You’re getting cold,” Levi said. “We should go down.” He stepped back and held out a hand. Kal took it. They descended the long, twisting staircase, not speaking until they reached the street.

“Give me one week,” Levi said. “I’ll have your transit papers by then. Do you want to use the name Kyra Navarra?”

She shook her head. “Just make up a name. I don’t care what it is.” She bit her lip. “Can you buy me a cheap ticket on one of the ferries to Bactra? I promise I’ll pay you back.”

Once she crossed the wall for the last time, she didn’t want to waste a minute getting out of the city.

“Of course. Let’s meet at the docks. Say, nine o’clock.” He tugged his cap on. “Can I walk you to the school? Make sure you get back safe?”

She smiled. “I’ll be fine. Thank you, Levi. For everything.”

In the moonlight, his face seemed both young and impossibly old at the same time. “It’s my pleasure. Goodnight, Kyra.” He flipped his collar up and walked away. Even his stride was athletic and graceful.

“You think he’s too good to be true,” Durian remarked.

Kal turned. He was leaning against a lamppost, the ember of a cigarette glowing in the dark. He wore the too-small brown suit from his wake.

“You don’t even smoke,” she muttered.

Durian flicked the butt into the gutter. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

Kal sighed. Levi had vanished into the night.

“Not too good to be true,” she said with a sad smile. “Just too good for me .”