Warrick’s hands stilled, and he stared up at me with a dangerous glint in his coal-black eyes.
Slowly, I removed my fist, knowing that I’d overstepped. I wanted to fucking fight the bastard. To rid Katakin of his dark stain of a soul, and I promised myself that one day I would, but for now, he was the only council member investigating the outliers and trying to find a way to break the curse. So I stepped back, lowering my head slightly and feigning regret after my outburst.
The hardness in Warrick’s eyes thawed slightly, but his eyes remained alert. “With time, I’ll figure it out. For the next week, the only news the citizens of Katakin will be talking about is the Week of Orash and the newbloods who will be welcomed into their new houses. They won’t be talking about a few dead monsters. We shall have to hope there aren’t any more outlier attacks for a while.”
“And if there are?”
A depraved smile stretched across his face, highlighting his angular cheekbones and sharp jaw. “If there are, then next time make sure you bring the outlier to me alive or at least bring me the monster’s heart.”
My nostrils flared as I glared at him. I resisted the urge to comment that the last outlier’s heart was likely the size of a fucking bison and instead began striding back toward the door.
I’d just reached the doorway when he added, “Oh, and I look forward to watching your little shifter fight. Don’t forget your mother will expect to get her hands on the newblood before she’s presented.”
Fangs peeked between my lips, but I didn’t comment and kept my back to him as I left the room.
CHAPTER 13
~ Raine ~
Kadewasstilltherewhen I awoke, and I blinked and rubbed my eyes before peering up at him. His head was crooked awkwardly to the side as he dozed, but he startled at my movement, his golden gaze colliding with my face.
“You didn’t have to stay with me,” I said as I sat up and pulled away from him.
His expression hardened as I moved away, but he didn’t reach for me. “How are you feeling?”
Leaning down, I ran my fingertips over the bandage on my leg. “Better,” I said, and I meant it. The pain had completely disappeared while I’d slept.
Using both hands, I unraveled the bloody bandage and carefully slid my fingertips down my leg, passing over where I remembered the long gash had been. When my fingers found only smooth, scarless skin, my lips parted in surprise. I knew the blue paste had incredible healing powers, but the gash had been so deep that I’d expected there might be a residual mark or a puckered scar. But there was nothing but dried blood to indicate that I’d even been wounded at all.I really need to get my hands on a vial of the blue stuff before I leave this place.
At the thought of leaving the monsters who had just saved my life, an odd pang went through me.My heart squeezed as my gaze connected with Kade’s, and it took everything I had in me not to move back into his arms.
But a life with the monsters wasn’t an option for me. Not unless my sister was safe and happy in Katakin. Not unless she wanted to stay.
Sliding from the bed, I grabbed a clean pair of leathers and draped them over my arm. “I ah, need to use the washroom,” I said, and I forced myself from the room and away from Kade.
WhenIexitedthewashroom, all four monsters were in the common room. Kade and Locke were having a heated discussion near the far wall while Darian downed unhealthy amounts of wine and Asher inhaled the food on the replenished silver platter.
Who the hell is bringing us fresh food anyway?Considering Locke had helpers who had refurnished the room, I could only guess that he also had monsters bringing us food and wine.
Asher held up a chicken leg to me in salute and grinned before tearing a chunk off with his teeth. The gesture was so unexpected that I found myself shaking my head in mock disgust and grinning back at him. The demon had a way of making my absurdly crazy situation seem so insanely normal.
Ignoring Asher’s bad table manners, I poured myself a goblet of pink liquid and went to sit near Darian, who was closest to the fire. From the moment I’d moved away from Kade on the bed, a coldness had seeped through me, and the warmth of the fire was a pleasant reprieve.Or is it because I’m sitting close to Darian? Nope, definitely the fire.
Asher watched as Darian uncrossed his legs and shifted subtly closer to me. Finishing his mouthful, the demon casually pointed to Darian with his chicken leg. “Glad to see you’re up and about, Sharachi. Dar here was drinkin’ himself to death with worry.”
In response, Darian took another sip of his wine and arched a silver brow at him. “Says the monster who’s been comfort eating as if he’s about to hibernate for the winter.”
I rolled my eyes at the pair of them and gulped from my goblet.
“What can I say? My appetite has grown unexpectedly,” Asher replied with a toothy grin as he finished off his chicken.
Darian’s blue eyes glowed as he agreed, “As has mine.”
I eyed them both suspiciously. They were acting fucking weird, and I suddenly regretted my seating choice. I had enough of my own crazy to deal with. The voices in my head hadn’t returned since the incident with the Silver Sand, but that didn’t mean I was normal again. There was still the fact I’d probably caused the unnatural wind that had destroyed the room.
Indicating toward Locke and Kade with my head, I leaned toward Darian. “What are they talking about?”
His gaze followed mine across the room. “The outliers,” he said, pursing his lips.
