Page 11

VEILS AND MASKS

GAVREL

T he bitter tea swirled down my throat, warming me. Neoma leaned back in her chair, her weathered hand cupping her firm but delicate jawline as she studied us. Seryn boldly met the older woman’s scrutiny, tucking away any lingering diffidence.

Quelling the urge to gather Seryn to me, I gripped my knees. She was an indestructible force. She didn’t believe it now, but she would. I’d make sure of it.

I set my cup down, focusing on the older woman. She was something, I’d give her that. Not someone I’d cross intentionally.

Neoma’s brow quirked, one corner of her mouth following suit. “The Augur mentioned you were both gifted your memories, and that you’d need guidance.” Her eyes ricocheted between us. I frowned, glancing at Seryn as her chin dipped.

The ability to remember wasn’t always a gift.

Neoma dropped her hand to the tabletop, bringing our attention back to her. “She told me you each had a part to play—your journey was written in the stars. ”

“The Fates are in their cups again, I see,” Marek scoffed.

My hands clenched, fighting the urge to punch him in the teeth. “The only guidance we need is information about my brother, Kaden. Kaden Larkin. Have you had any recent visitors?”

“My dear, you can deny the truth all you want, but the reality remains: each of you is marked for … something greater. Despite your sour faces, your memories are an asset—a treasure we safeguard from the grasp of the Dormancy. Many of us risk evading it just to preserve them, unless we need eyes on the Elders. After all, information is a force that can shift even the currents of the Insomnis Sea.” She clicked her tongue.

My eyebrows were surely glued to my hairline, and Seryn’s mouth hung open.

The older woman chuckled. “Nevertheless, no. No, there haven’t been any run-ins with strangers as of late. There rarely is.”

I pushed my empty cup away and rested my elbows on the table.

“Then why the embered illusion surrounding the city? I don’t recall that being in place when I visited a few turns ago.

” My jaw tipped up, and I cupped it, resting my elbow on my crossed forearm.

“Or the city having as many inhabitants, for that matter.”

“Times have changed—” she started.

“I can see that. What with you evading the Dormancy. That is quite the feat.”

Neoma continued, ignoring my words, “—but, also, we only showed you what we wanted you to see.” Her chin lifted higher than mine.

“There have been more and more reports of creatures, not of this realm, attacking our people once the dusk sets in. Rumors of the dead scratching at the barrier.” Seryn and I glanced at each other, mirrored concern etching into our features.

My thumb brushed against the stubble lining my jaw.

Neoma went on, “Not to mention, the Elders’ sycophants and Akridais are getting bolder.

Less formality and questioning. More impulsive violence.

” She shook her head, eyes hardening. “Why not make it as challenging as possible for hunters to find Helos, whether they be beast or mortal?” She glanced at Marek .

My mouth stiffened, and my heartbeat hammered behind my ribs. There was no way they knew what I’d done—granted, what I would no longer do—for Melina. I’d likely be dead if they did. I settled back in my seat, wishing my sword were nearby.

Marek nodded. “We’ve no use for Elder Laws here. Their only interest in our people is to seek potential Scions or raid our rations.”

Slowly, he cracked his knuckles, deep in thought, and then blinked a few times, clearing whatever ran through his mind.

“How forthright of you. And so openly exposing your gifts to us earlier, which are quite impressive, I must admit. How do you know we aren’t their sycophants?” Seryn cocked her head, fluttering her lashes mockingly at him.

I shifted my jaw to the side, trying to rid myself of the tic pulsing in it. Didn’t this bastard own any bloody tunics?

Marek chuffed humorlessly. Neoma rolled her eyes, her fingernails tapping rhythmically atop the table. “The Augur has never led us astray. Nor has Rhaegar.” She smiled brightly around my second’s name, and my forehead lifted higher.

“Hale is quite valuable to the Korax’s cause,” Marek stated, a note of respect lining his words.

“Ah, so the rebel cause is alive and well.” I’d suspected as much, especially after this conversation, but Rhaegar and I had danced around it over the turns, preferring to hold tight to plausible deniability and our friendship.

I had no desire to quell such a rebellion, but I’d spent so long cultivating my position in the Order. Playing my part to protect those I cared for and the realm in the best way I knew how.

In the shadows.

Melina’s dutiful pet .

Or so she thought. The seam of my lips curled.

Though I couldn’t always resist Melina’s cruel demands, I had appeased her vanity and downplayed the unrest boiling among Midst Fall, trusting the rebels would evolve. Each time I’d heard whispers of the Korax, the coals of hope smoldered brighter within me .

“May the wings of the raven carry you,” Seryn murmured, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her tunic.

Neoma sipped her tea, a knowing smile dancing on her lips as she swallowed. Seryn glanced from the woman to me. “The Draumr in Ceto. That’s what he said before we left.”

“And they shall carry you.” Neoma stood, scooping up our empty cups and putting them in the washbasin. “Gather your things. Marek will show you to your accommodation. You’ll have a day or so to acclimate before seeking the Augur.”

“And why would we seek her out?” Seryn asked, her tone laced with genuine curiosity.

“Because, my dear, she’s likely your only option if you want to find your friend.

Off you go.” With finality, Neoma rolled up her sleeves, unveiling an intricate black raven wing tattoo that ran down the inside of her right forearm from elbow to wrist. The firelight caught on its subtle, multicolored sheen as she moved.

She nodded to the door, turned, and then began washing the cups, her silver hair glittering in the firelight.

We collected our things and followed Marek down the coiling stairs. The overcast sky was even gloomier as we approached the platform below. The air had cooled, but it still clung to my skin like a damp caress.

Marek paused at the base, locking arms with a man passing by. It was unsettling to see his lips curve upward. They shared a few friendly words before the man went about his business, and we continued on our way.

As we reached a bridge along the edge of the city’s boundary line, Marek stopped, his body tensing as his blackened aura flickered. His face crumpled as he stretched one arm out toward the swampy horizon.

Seryn gawked at him, her eyes following the movement of his ember.

It stemmed from the base of his spine, where the darkest ebony flames flared, rippled, and curled around his torso.

The flames surged over his arm and extended from his hand, reaching beyond the gleaming dome of a submerged conservatory .

His power writhed outward as if it were burning through the very air surrounding the city. Within minutes, the hazy barrier was in place. Seryn’s gaze drifted above and around, captivated by the illusion. The citizens went about their business, some smiling appreciatively in Marek’s direction.

No alarm or fear crossed their features at his open use of ember.

They were used to this.

Accepting.

“Remarkable,” Seryn commended.

Marek’s tongue pressed against his cheek as he bowed his head and walked across a swaying bridge. He clutched his quarterstaff, holding it perpendicular to the path, effectively keeping us at a distance.

Seryn’s voice rose, ensuring that he heard. “Does creating such an illusion drain you? I can’t even fathom maintaining that barrier every day.”

We snaked through the city, the planks creaking under us, weathered shanties swaying, and firelight flickering through the gaps between the dwellings’ wooden faces.

“It’s nothing. We’ve embedded protection runes along the border. It’s simply a matter of activating them with my illusion ember.”

Seryn shook her head. “It’s not that simple.” He looked away, refusing to meet our eyes. “The people here are very fortunate to have your protection.”

He adjusted his staff, pointing to a small abode at the end of the bridge.

He glared at us, his mouth tight as a subtle flush crept up his chest. “This is you. There’s enough food and fresh water to get you through the next few days.

The fire and a hot bath are waiting. I’ll find you if you’re needed.

” With that, he strode in the other direction, his weapon jabbing into the boards.

“He’s hiding something,” I noted, following Seryn.

“Of course he is. As are we. We’ve just met these people, for Surrelia’s sake.” She pushed open the door with a creak and sauntered inside. I smirked at her sass. It meant she wasn’t drowning in pain and confusion at the moment .

Next to one another, there were two narrow beds against the back wall. To our right, a small wood-burning stove, a kitchenette, tall barrels of clean water, a table, and a pair of chairs. Behind a wall of interlocking planks to our left, steam wafted to the ceiling.

Seryn groaned as she tossed her pack at the foot of one bed, dashing over to that corner. “Don’t mind me. I’ll be soaking the rot off me for a while.”

I sat on the rickety chair, taking off my boots and watching her shadow dance into the crevices of the woodgrain as she undressed, her boots slouching against the outside of the makeshift wall.

Her shadow lifted one leg over the rim of the tub, and my mouth went dry.

I pictured her soft, pink skin sinking into the steam.

Her contented moan floated through the air.

Calm the fuck down, you idiot , I scolded my unruly manhood, which stirred in my breeches. Reluctantly, my cock settled as I busied myself with cleaning our boots, our sodden clothes, and weapons.

Her footfalls sounded as I finished hanging up our clothes on a rope railing outside the front entrance.

“I’m a new woman.” At the sound of her satisfied giggle, I turned, admiring her as she did a carefree twirl on the tips of her bare toes. She wore only the borrowed gray tunic, the hem brushing her damp upper thighs as her arms stretched above.

My throat dried as all the liquid in my body pooled on my tongue and in my obstinate cock, as if I were some inexperienced fledgling. Clearing my throat, I rubbed my palms on my thighs, pushing past her. “Indeed. My turn, I suppose.”

Her arms fell as she stared at me, bewildered annoyance draping over her delicate features before indifference crept over her face. My muscles tensed. I loathed the masks she hid behind.

Displeasure bubbled under my skin. She could hide herself from others if it helped her manage what she was working through. But I didn’t want her to hide from me any longer.

She toyed with the fabric at her hips. “Thank you for cleaning my things. I …” She paused as I tugged my tunic off, her lips pressing together tightly. After a moment, her words spilled out. “I’m sorry if th e bathwater is cold and used. We can use some of the fresh water they’ve stocked.”

“No need. Your bath water doesn’t bother me.” My gaze sank to her lips as they parted and then dragged over her face as she gawked at my chest.

I enjoyed making her mask slip. Apathy didn’t suit her. She was anything but indifferent, and I grew weary of pretending otherwise. Giving her space and my silence was no longer effective. It was time to try a different tactic if I was to garner an authentic reaction from her.

Running my hand through my hair, biceps bunching, I let my next words tumble out. “It’s better to conserve the supplies as best we can. Perhaps next time we should share the bath.”

Her mouth fell all the way open, and her cheeks instantly burned. She shifted, her thighs brushing against each other, rustling the tunic’s fabric. I swore I felt the heat between her legs, and it sparked something deep in my belly.

A slow smile spread across my face, and I didn’t bother hiding my body’s reaction to her. Seryn glanced down, her nostrils flaring as she, too, noticed.

My pulse quickened under my jaw. Her fingers curled into her palms, and she spun toward the barrels, scooping water into a cup and staring out the window as she took deep pulls from it.

With a contained chuckle, I moved behind the privacy wall, pushing my breeches off, and then sank into the cooled bath water.

Progress.