We sat on the couch in my childhood home, side by side on the sagging cushions. The furniture was decades old. I’d kept the house the way it was, in part to conceal the hidden refuge only steps beyond the bathroom. Other than Fee, Julien was the only other living soul who had ever been in that pocket, besides Noa and myself.
She’d been afraid of my reaction when she revealed the secret to Julien—for Julien—but I’d rather have him know if it meant she’d been safe during those moments before I arrived.
As it was, every minute we spent with that venom in her runes meant exposure, but I wasn’t about to trust Set with any knowledge beyond what she witnessed in this house.
Even Mace and Fallon were unaware.
Set was regal in an upholstered chair, her legs crossed. Julien rested in the chair’s mate, close to her side. Their frequent, fleeting eye contact made it clear that Julien was a favored son, and the relief Set tried to hide was too innate for betrayal.
Her dark hair brushed like a curtain against her shoulders as her head turned toward my mate. “I’ve considered every angle of the betrayal, including the one you haven’t mentioned. Both Barend and Amal would have a motive to stop Julien.”
“Who knew what he was researching?”
“Only Julien and myself. But others were aware of his human career. They noted his appearances in the archives, and remembered my history with Amal. No one would have difficulty guessing what he was looking for, and why I might want it.”
My money was on Barend, eliminating any advantage Set might use against him. She’d been at a disadvantage with Julien pinned to a wall, but Noa had changed the balance of power, so he opted for destruction.
But I would not overlook Amal. She’d destroyed Azul to retrieve her book. She may have discovered Julien’s connection to Set, wanted to send the same message as Barend.
And Amal used Brin, sent the girl into the heart of the beast, hoping to lure Noa closer. While Barend had fallen for the ruse like everyone else, desperate to turn a faille, a gift too coveted to be questioned.
Awareness brushed against the pack bond an instant before Mace’s voice drifted through with a droll, I’m outside. Vampire energy everywhere.
I sent back, Set’s here. Private meeting.
Mace snorted. Tell Julien I’m relieved the rumors were untrue.
Barely.
Were it not for Noa, in the nymph cave, pouring healing water, then feeding him, those rumors of Julien’s death would have been true. Noa saved him. Offered her blood. Practically carried him through the passages and into this house.
My breathing faltered.
Mace paused before he said, I’m guessing that’s why Set is inside.
Noa finally let her through the door.
She’s smarter about these things than you are.
Asshole.
I cleaned up your mess.
You helped with that mess, I growled, skidding my hand down Noa’s hair to calm her slight tremors. Don’t make it all mine.
You’re the dread lord. Makes it yours. I’ll post sentries in the forest. Try not to disturb them until morning.
I barked out a laugh, which had Noa looking at me strangely. If I had my way, I wouldn’t be leaving this house for days, if not weeks. But we still had to deal with Noa’s venom, something she was refusing to think about, mentally running interference with the rhymes she used as shields.
“Would you mind?” Set asked, setting aside the coffee she’d been pretending to drink because Noa had gone to so much trouble to prepare it. “I’d like to look at your scars.”
Noa flinched, rocking forward to set her mug aside. She stood stiffly. “Where would you like me?”
“Anywhere the light is good. Take your shirt and bra off.”
Noa’s fingers trembled slightly as she gathered the tee shirt hem, dragged the material over her head. When the neckline tugged against her braid, I reached out and settled her hair, then found a blanket because she’d crossed her arms, embarrassed. Gently, I wrapped it around her front.
“What about this chair?” Set stood beside one of the wooden kitchen chairs. “Straddle it, please, with your back to me.”
