Page 29 of In The Dark

“This right here would do the trick for you. You’d get plenty of sleep and might even sleep for an extra…” He shrugs. “Half a day. You won’t even taste it.” Winking, he grabs a jar off the shelf in front of us—no questions asked. Edwin places it in my hand, closing my fingers around the jar. “Take it. I’m not sure what you might need it for, but it should accomplish what you need,” he says gently and lifts his brows with a stern expression.

But I find myself hesitating for a breath. Not because I would feel guilty putting Ren into a deep sleep, but because of how much I want those answers from Alec. I want the truth about my parents—and it terrifies me how far I’m willing to go to get it.

I glance over my shoulder in search of Ezra or Ren when I finally face Edwin with a small nod, placing it in the hidden pocket of my cloak.

“Thank you,” I mutter as he gestures to the curtains behind me. I sigh and walk through, finding Ezra and Ren paying for their items with Edwin’s wife.

I smile at Ezra, my heart pounding against the glass jar in the pocket of my cloak. “You ready?”

10

The soundof blood rushing against my temples has me fighting the urge to squeeze my eyes shut. A pounding headache has begun, and I haven’t even left the inn yet.

I clasp my sheath to my thigh, securing my favorite dagger before tucking my pants into my boots. My fingers graze my hair, reaching around to ensure my auburn mark is securely pinned, when Ezra opens the door to the bathing chamber. He walks out with a small grin, reaching for his short sword off the side table.

“Let’s regroup in a few hours. I picked up a scent trail earlier a few blocks north of the inn. I intended on tracking it tonight after one of the taverns. But if he’s not here, we’ll all follow it tonight,” Ezra says, securing the silver blade to his hip. “Plus, I think I found the inn he’s staying at. I’m going to try to get in.”

“A few hours. Sounds good,” I say.

I wanted to spend the evening obtaining more information from Alec without being interrupted by Ren, so I stopped by his room earlier. I slipped him the sleeping draft when we shared a glass of whiskey and hoped that he didn’t suddenly become suspicious of the gesture.

Or worse, scent it.

He eyed me as I made quiet conversation and apologized for my behavior at breakfast. I grinned when he threw his head back, swallowing the amber liquid in one gulp.

Now looking at Ezra in front of me, I want to do the same but know that if I do, they would both end up suspicious. Clearing my thoughts, I return to the room and nod to the door.

“We should get going before it gets too late. I need to get Ren.”

“Okay. See you later.” He grins.

We quickly exit the room together, and I watch as he strides down the road, throwing me one last glance over his shoulder. A minute goes by before Ezra finally turns the corner, and I slip into Ren’s chamber behind me. Ren remains seated in the chair that I left him in.

Head back, eyes closed, and breathing softly—asleep.

Taking advantage of what little time I have, I swing my cloak over my shoulders and shut the door behind me, locking it. I pat myself, feeling for the herbs secured in my cloak just in case Ren wakes up confused. There’s no need for him to dig through my things if he’s suspicious. Which, I gather, he will be.

My walk toward the Cauldron is quiet except for the sound of my feet lightly grazing against the stone. I stick to the shadows and wonder how I plan on finding Alec. Then a light breeze drifts by, carrying the scent of oakmoss… his scent.

I guess I won’t be needing to find him since he already found me. My brows pinch as I whirl around, scanning the area for him, but he’s not there, causing my teeth to grind.

“Are you alone?”Alec pushes the thought to me, quiet and barely there.

“Yes, I’m alone,” I say. He doesn’t respond, leaving me to face the Cauldron only to come to an immediate halt. Alec stands in front of me with a devious grin.

“Good,” he says, pivoting on his heel toward the tavernwithout another word, and I quietly trail behind him. The entrance to the Cauldron comes into view after a short minute, and I throw him a nasty glare. He quickly opens the massive oak door for me.

“After you.” He grins.

Laughter fills my ears as incense drifts by, rich and earthy. The tavern is full of Fae and humans like the previous night, everyone gathered around tables. Finding a secluded table off to the side, we both slide into the chairs as a golden-haired waitress approaches us. My eyes break away from her to glance at Alec, but he’s already studying me.

“Two ales, please. I owe her a drink,” he says, finally breaking our gaze long enough to acknowledge the waitress. He smiles, leaving her to giggle and scurry back to the bar, looking over her shoulder as if he hung the moon himself.

“Where are Ren and Ezra tonight?” he asks, quickly scanning the room, then faces me.

“Ren is…” I calculate my answer. “Sleeping, but we should be good for three or four hours until we regroup at the inn. Ezra is at the other tavern working the locals again. I’m afraid they’ll come find me, so we need to be quick.”Before I kill you,I want to add, but not until I get answers.

The waitress strides back with our drinks, and he flashes her a charming grin—one I know he’s probably used a thousand times to get what he wants. Yet I can’t help but stare as he holds her gaze.