I didn't move, tempted to ball my fist and add some color to his jaw. “I'm shit at games.” But I closed my eyes, rubbing my temples. “I'm confused about what happened.”
Fortunately,thatwas enough of the truth I could get away with it. But also enough of a liethatthe hairs on the back of my neck rose.
“I took some advice from an old friend I had forgotten about.” No no no, almost a lie. “Or rather, they had forgotten about.” A little better.
“Don't play me for a fucking idiot, cousin.” He gripped the desk on either side of me. Standing too damn close for a male I didn't like. “I have two hundred years of life experience on you, and it's painfully obvious when you're trying to prevaricate. I knowwhatyou did.Howthe fuck did you do it, who taught you, and don't give mehorseshit about an old friend.”
I began to jiggle my foot in a staccato rhythm. The hairs on my neck still stood at attention. I had the same questions and no clue of the answers. Not when the possibilities threw everything I’d thought I understood about myself and Darkan into question.
The therapist had labeled him as a splinter of my personality for years. AFaetherapist, not a clueless human.
Édouard watched my face. “I know your friends, the names and histories of every personin your circles since High Lord Maryonne birthed you.”
I stopped jiggling my foot and stood, forcing him to back up a step—which he didn't. “You sound like a stalker, Arddie. Or somebody who desperately needs a new hobby.”
He lowered his chin, scowling. “You're my hobby.”
“That’s news to Tereille.”
“No.” Édouard bared his teeth. “It’s not.”
I balled up my fists and slammed them against his shoulders, pushing him away from me. “Why don't you tell me what this isreallyabout?”
He was pissed about more than the fact that I’d pulled off a small miracle, demonstrating knowledge of a magical techniquethatshould be beyond me—and was beyond him.
“YouBridged us. There was never any indication you were an Apex, much less a Bridge. I don’t think even my Lords Maryonne and Danon suspected.”
Because he used terminology I hadn't learned, I sighed to myself and delved into the files of information Darkan had flung at me before fleeing.
After a long moment sorting, I said, “Can you explain what that is using concise terms?”Small words, Arddie. Use small words.
Édouard stared at me, but maybe for once he realized I wasn't trying to be difficult. “An Apex can merge their power with another.” He frowned fiercely. “No, that’s not quite accurate. They’re vampires. They can suck another’s power from them and manipulate it.”
Well, shit. “Indefinitely?”
“No. As with everything, the ability depends on the will and strength of the Apex.”
I started to rub my head, and didn’t. “Fine. Tell me about a Bridge.”
Édouard was silent, the calculating look in his eyes making plain that he weighed his words.
“Don’t hold out on me,” I warned. And he would, if he thought I might be a danger.
“A Bridge,” he said finally, “is someone who can combine the power of several individuals like links in a chain. The purpose being to—”
“I get it. I did it.” Adding each person to the “chain” had strengthened our combined shield. “But an Apex isn’t always a Bridge.”
“No. The combination was uncommon, but not rare. An experienced mage will know what you are instantly if they see you use the ability. I would suggest you keep this to yourself.”
The note in his voice alerted me. “Why?”
Another of those long silences. “I was born on this side of the gate, but there are always stories. Just—keep it to yourself, Aerinne. The House isn’t in a position to protect you from—” he stopped talking.
“From what?”
“Hunters.”
A chill dug into my spine.
