Page 153 of Fractured Fates

“Still exhausted,” I mumble, stifling a yawn. I search my body for signs of pain but everything feels numb and blissful. Numb and blissful and humming with magic. “My magic,” I say in astonishment. “It’s … it’s back.”

I’ve never pushed my magic that far before, never used every last ounce of it, but when I have used large chunks of it, it’s always taken days and a fair bit of sleep for it to replenish. How is that possible?

The man in black nods. “The doctor should be here soon to fix your leg. It’s a bad break, Rhi, but they said it will be good as new.”

I peer down at it, instantly flinching and darting my gaze away. My eyes land on his face. He looks exhausted. Soot marks his cheek and a cut runs along his brow.

“Your face,” I say.

He lifts his free hand, touching the slash and peering at the blood on his fingers. “Ahhh yeah,” he mutters.

“Shouldn’t you fix it?” I smile at him. “It’s simple magic, you know.”

He smiles sheepishly. “I’m pretty depleted on magic myself,” he confesses.

“You are?” I say, surprised. “Well then, let me. I owe you after all.”

I lift my hand and he catches it in his own.

“You should save your energy,” he smirks, “besides I’d rather like to keep my face scar-free.”

“I have actually learned some stuff at the academy,” I say with a mock frown that quickly turns real. “That man, his face was covered in scars. Why, when he could–”

“I gather he wears them as a badge of honor,” the man in black says, his lips curling in disgust.

“Who was he?” I ask again.

“You really don’t know?”

“I can guess. He had my knife. He belongs to the Wolves of Night, doesn’t he? He works for Marcos Lowsky.”

“Yes, he’s his assassin.” He squeezes my hand. “Not many people have crossed his path and lived to tell the tale.”

“I wouldn’t have,” I hold his gaze, my hand still warm in his, “lived, if it hadn’t been for you.”

“And Stone,” he corrects.

I frown a second time. I don’t want to think about Stone right now. Stone and his harsh words. Stone who tried to force his way into my mind.

“How did you know? How did you find me?”

“I saw Barone’s bike earlier today. I knew he was in the city. I had my suspicions that he was–”

“Looking for me.”

“Yes. He wouldn’t usually risk turning up in the city when he knows I’m here.”

The man in black’s eyes darken.

“The two of you have history.”

“You could say that.”

“Is he dead?” I ask, peering into the man in black’s eyes. I’ve seen him kill before.

“No.” He shakes his head. “I’m sorry, Rhi. He got away.”

“There’s no need to be sor–”