Page 38 of Veiled Yearning

Frederick hisses out a low curse. “Are they—”

“Fine. But it was close.” Larkin’s jaw clenches. “One of the Custodians had a rare ability. Unexpected. He could stifle Lucas and Nylah’s abilities.”

Dammit. “Did you know of him?” Larkin is able to sense vampire abilities, so he knows what many of the Custodians can do. And because of it, we’re better prepared when we end up facing them.

“No.” His face creases, brows pulling into a deep V. “I’ve looked all up and down the east coast. I sensed nothing like that. There’s only one vampire I know of who can stifle, and he’s living in France, very much not interested in getting involved with any of this. I can only imagine Nicolas found this other vampire somewhere else, out west, maybe.”

Frederick jumps in. “It doesn’t matter where he came from. Is he still alive?”

“No.” Larkin gives him a grim smile. “Even stifled, Lucas beat him.” He pauses, his smile dissolving. “But it’s worrisome that Nicolas is bringing in allies we don’t know about. And that his influence is spreading.”

“We knew that was a possibility. Especially given what Knight told us.” I glance between Frederick and Larkin. “But with Chiara’s tools and weapons, we’ve convinced some new allies to join us, as well.”

“True. I just wish—” Larkin stops himself. “Anyway. I do have some good news, as well. Lucas and Nylah captured one of the Custodians, and they’re holding him at our secure facility in Albany. They’re hoping to get some information about Nicolas out of him.”

“Have they had any luck yet?” Hope kindles in my chest. “If we can get a location…”

He shakes his head. “No. The Custodian has been very resistant. None of their attempts have worked yet.”

An odd expression crosses Frederick’s face. “I know how we can do it. We have an ally who can force this Custodian into telling the truth.”

“Ivy.” Years ago, I saw her helping us, playing an integral role in a battle we hadn’t yet started. “Just as I saw it. She can make the Custodian tell us everything he knows.”

“Yes.” Frederick gives me a quick nod. “I’ll contact Ivy and Ethan. Offer protection while they travel to Albany.”

“And you think they’ll agree?” Larkin asks.

“Yes. It brings little risk, but great reward. I’m almost certain they’ll agree.”

“Well. Good.” Larkin puffs out a breath. “Hopefully, we’ll get some valuable information.” He turns to me. “Now, Gavril. You had a vision? Of what?”

“Nicolas.” The images from the vision are still fresh and vivid, and my jaw clenches as I recall them. Nicolas in a small room, nothing identifiable around him, no clue to where he may be hiding. His directive to his allies to capture Chiara. The oily way he smiled when he encouraged them to hurt her.

By the time I’m at the end of it, my teeth are grinding, sending streaks of pain down my neck. Looking between Frederick and Larkin, I finish with, “He wants Chiara, badly. Not just wants, but needs. And he’s going to keep searching for her.”

“The question is; why?” Frederick picks up his glass and swirls the last dregs of red liquid, staring into it for a moment before raising his gaze. “Does Nicolas want to steal her ability? But if he did, he could have done it during the days of her captivity.”

Larkin lifts his chin in agreement. “You’re right. They had her for five days. More than enough time for them to bring Chiara to Nicolas. But they didn’t.”

Now that I know what they did to Chiara during those five days, I feel ill thinking about it. And to discuss Nicolas taking her power, killing her…

Rage and guilt battle for dominance inside me. Rage toward Nicolas, the monster who has his eyes set on Chiara. Who casually spoke of causing her as much pain as possible. And then guilt for not finding him already. What good is my ability if I can’t use it to protect the people I care about?

My pulse is drumming in my ears; hot fury rushing through my veins. Every muscle in my body is tense, ready to attack this unseen enemy.

No. Focus. Anger won’t help. Cool rationality has served me well so far, and I need to use it here. So I force a calm I’m not feeling, and grit out, “But he doesn’t want to kill her. He wants her alive.”

“Perhaps he thinks he can force Chiara to work with him,” Larkin starts. “If he could somehow make her—”

“Yes.” A memory strikes me, a real one, from the night at Chiara’s cabin. “They were trying to make her do something. The Custodians. I heard…”

But it was a nightmare. One that Chiara wouldn’t want everyone knowing about. And I’m not sure how I feel about sharing something so personal.

“What?” Larkin narrows his eyes at me. “What did you hear?”

“Nothing.” Frederick gives me a quick side eyed glance, but he doesn’t call me on it. “Just things I’ve heard from Chiara. She hasn’t really spoken about her captivity, but I think they wanted her to do something for them. And she refused.”

“And that’s all you know?” Larkin frowns. “That’s not much to go on. Can you ask her more about it?”

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