Page 62 of Whispers of Ruin

“You’ll have sight soon enough.”

Something about the way he says it makes my stomach knot. Still, I just nod, holding back the scream clawing its way up. If they are waiting for me to prove something,fine.

Let them wait.

Let them wonder.

I will find out what this is really about. And when I do, I won’t be the girl fumbling in the dark. I will be the one lighting the match.

Lucian turns away, his focus shifting to the window, as if I no longer matter.

“You’ll stay here. We have rooms. Someone will show you.”

Stay?

I blink.

“Just like that?”

He glances over his shoulder.

“What were you expecting. Chains? A blindfold? I am not like your boyfriend.”

“No,” I say, sharper than I intended. “But maybe a reason why.”

Lucian smiles without humor.

“You’ll get your reason soon enough. For now, consider this your… initiation period.”

Of course, that sounds totally reassuring. Before I can press further, he waves a hand toward the door. Xan’s already stepped forward, sensing the moment. His fingers brush the small of my back again, gentle but firm. I let him lead me out, while I keep my eyes on Lucian until the door shuts behind us.

Whatever game they are playing, I’m in it now.

And I have no intend to lose.

We don’t make it ten steps before a figure rounds the corner ahead. Tall. Light brown hair. Broad-shouldered. Clad in black from neck to boots and wearing the same mask as the others—just the aura of someone who definitely owns too many knives and not enough self-awareness.

He tilts his head at me. And I mean tilts—likehead-turns-in-a-horror-movietilts.

“Well, well,” he murmurs. “She’s prettier than I expected.”

In one swift, furious motion, Xan slams him against the stone wall with a forearm across his chest. The impact echoes down the corridor.

“Try that again, Kayde,” Xan growls, his face inches from the man in front of him. “Say one more word about her. Look at her like that again.”

Kayde.

Yeah, that is definitely a new name. And judging by the tension radiating off Xan, it is not on his Christmas card list.

Kayde lets out a breathless chuckle, as if this is foreplay.

“Easy, brother. I was just admiring the Order’s newest stray. No harm in noticing a beautiful thing.”

“You don’t get to notice her,” Xan snaps, his voice darker than I have ever heard it. “She’s not yours tonotice.”

Kayde’s smile shifts under the mask by the look in his eyes.

“You sure about that? Thought we didn’t keep pets here.”