There’s one other place set at the table, but I don’t expect Henry to return until after dinner. A young servant fills my glass and then rounds the table to top off my mother’s and father’s. She rushes out of the room so quickly, her blonde braid flies out behind her like a tail. I wonder if he notices all the servants are afraid of him.
My father waits until the door closes behind her before he speaks. “Henry has an unusual aura.”
I lower my glass, trying to hide my annoyance. “I’ve noticed.”
I’m tempted to tell them why I think it looks different, but admitting my magic doesn’t work on him would mean surrendering my chance at getting the tunnel key. If they realize that Henry is basically invincible, I’ll never have a chance to escape the city or the fort. I’ll be stuck spying on my husband forever, while Aidia withers away to nothing, locked away in North Hold like a hostage.
My father leans back in his chair, taking a long sip of his wine as he stares at me. He’s reading my aura like I’m reading his. He has more years of experience, but my survival has relied on knowing every flicker in his field, so we are not as outmatched as he thinks. I wait for any sign that I’ve given something away.
He hums and sets down his glass. “How was the ceremony? I’ve heard their customs are barbaric.”
“It was fine,” I say flatly. “Different than here, but still respectful of the Divine.”
He nods. My father is satisfied with any surface-level answer. The less work I create for him, the more I will be appreciated. My parents have always made a point to celebrate my independence and my helpfulness. I grew up believing there was nothing worse I could do than inconvenience them with my feelings—or, Divine forbid, my ailing body.
My episodes were treated as a personal failing, which makes it even more maddening that they might just be a result of visiting the well so often. I spent years hating my body for its relentless agonies, of hating my mind for not being strong enough to ignore the ache.
When my parents started to give me important tasks, it felt like penance. They trusted me to follow through despite my obvious physical shortcomings. I thought that responsibility must be the same as love.
It didn’t take me long to learn how wrong I was. I’m not sure I know what love is, but I recognize the lack of it.
If there has been any estimation at all of it in my life, it’s Aidia’s protection.
Servants bring in the first course in a clatter of commotion as Able shoves past them into the room. His aura hits me like a shock of lightning. He stalks to the head of the table rather than the place set beside mine.
My father shoots him a disapproving glare, either for his lateness or for choosing the seat of honor at this more intimate dinner instead of sitting beside me.
I’m relieved to have something to focus on other than the interrogation my parents were gearing up for.
Everyone waits for the servants to leave. They won’t be back for twenty minutes; Gaven and the rest of our bodyguards are postedoutside to ensure none of them listen in. This is a family-business-only dinner.
“We were just discussing your sister’s wedding at Mountain Haven,” my father says.
Able laughs and pours himself wine. “You must have been thrilled to be the center of attention for once. I’ve heard their ceremonies have public sex. Did you enjoy getting fucked by that animal?”
“Sad you weren’t there to watch?” I taunt.
Able wrinkles his nose, but my mother clicks her tongue. “Enough, you two! We have important matters to discuss.”
“I’m just wondering how Harlow is going to make this mission all about her,” Able says. “Meanwhile, we’re here trying to keep the city out of Rafe’s hands while those new beasts are stalking through the street.”
“Are you quarreling with Rafe? And here I thought the two of you were the best of friends,” I sneer.
Able scoffs. “I keep my enemies close. If he thinks I’m a soft moron, he’ll underestimate me.”
I hum dismissively. “What new beasts were stalking through the streets?”
This is the first time anyone in my family has acknowledged that they know the Drained have evolved.
My father pinches his brow in annoyance but remains quiet. If Able were smart, he would, too. This silent version of my father, where his royal-blue aura swirls slowly, is the most volatile and terrifying.
“Yes, the Drained have evolved. They work in teams now. They have enough focus to slip past our defenses and they have some new appetites,” Able says.
“Oh?” I say, stalling by taking a long sip of wine. I feel suddenly and violently angry that they let me go into the Drained Wood without this information.
I wish Gaven were in here so I could look at him and know if he told them about the Breeder back at Mountain Haven. Nervous energy buzzes through my limbs, and I know my aura is pulsing a little bit too quickly to match my calm exterior.
“Is that what happened last night? They stole women?” I ask.
