Page 79 of Third Offense

Because of his wings.

He had a lifetime of judging the Noir, of hating them, only to find out everything was backward. And now, like some fucked up twist of fate, the roles were switched.

This isn’t his utopia. It’s his nightmare come to life.

A nightmare I very much understood. I took a step after him, only for Novak to ensnare my waist. “He shouldn’t be alone right now,” I whispered, my heart aching.

Novak’s lips brushed the back of my neck. “I think that’s exactly what he needs, little cherry.”

I started to shake my head. “He already feels alone. He… he needs us.” I wrapped my hand over Novak’s fingers, only to frown when I found him still bleeding. “And you need to tend to these wounds.”

“Only if you help me,” he murmured against my ear.

My lips parted, a protest ready to leave my lips.

But he hushed me before I could speak. “He’ll be back. Just give him a few minutes.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Because it’s Auric. He left so he didn’t punch me again.” His words were soft, but clear against my ear. “Trust me, blossom. He won’t go far. Not with you here.”

I swallowed, my heart in my throat.

This felt like a choice.

A choice I didn’t want to make.

But it was one Novak made for me as he pulled me deeper into the room and toward the bathroom.

Auric was hurting, but so was Novak. Because they’d fought with each other.

“This place isn’t what it seems.”

Why?I wanted to ask him.Because it’s the opposite of what we’ve always known?

Or did he mean something else by that?

Novak sat me down on a nearby stool, then went to the sink to wash his hands. I blinked at his back, momentarily losing myself in his feathers as he removed his enchanted shirt.

Only to frown as he turned to reveal his bruised torso.

He reached for some supplies on the sink—supplies that I assumed Auric had just used on himself—and turned to dab something against his forehead.

When he hissed, I stood, and pushed him onto the stool, taking over the process. It helped me feel at least a little bit useful. And it gave me a moment to think while I treated my mate’s wounds.

Auric had been acting normal the last few days. It was something about today that irked him. Something that had happened during his scouting this morning.

And it’d set off a strange series of events, starting with him wanting to talk to Novak.Alone.

“What did you two discuss this morning about Auric’s scouting?” I wondered aloud, realizing now that no one had told me.

Novak remained silent for a beat, his icy irises flashing. “He tried to tell me that we’re stuck in some sort of routine. And he thinks something isn’t right about it.”

“Why?”

“Because every time he goes into the kitchen, it’s nine o’clock on the dot. No matter when he wakes up, it’s always that time.”

I frowned. “Is the clock broken?”