Page 67 of Invidia

I stumbled to a stop, finding a group of ten Hunters of all ages standing in front of a portal, reeking of nerves.

“Hello,” one man said tentatively, glancing around and seeming to realize that none of his party were going to speak. He was older, with deep lines around his face and thick gray hair. “We’re here to fulfill the Hunters’ side of the agreement.”

“We would love to hear what that agreement is,” I replied evenly, for once not minding as members of the Guard jumped out of my way so I could get to the front.

The stench of the man’s fear was so acrid that it took everything in me not to move away.

“The agreement for us to move here as replacements for the two Hunters returned…?” he said hesitantly. It wasn’t lost on me that every single one of this group looked exhausted, and not entirely healthy. Some of them had threadbare clothes, and they barely carried any possessions.

And they all looked unwilling.

“We were told to ask for Aither if there was any confusion,” one woman whispered, staring determinedly at her feet.

Aither.

I gritted my teeth. That fucking traitor.

Selene appeared at that moment, barking orders to round the newcomers up and keep them in a secure location. She wasn’t interested in soothing their nerves, and I could understand why. Though, a small part of me felt slightly guilty as they huddled together, escorted out of the in-between by a large contingent of the Guard.

“Someone needs to find Aither,” I grunted, trying to keep my anger at a productive level.

Selene nodded once. “I’m delegating that task to you. I’ll stay as close to where Austin and Tallulah are as I can get. If there’s any change, I will send for you. Time is of the essence, but I need you to go to the stores and feed first, Evrin. You are of no help to anyone if you can’t function.”

As much as I didn’t want to waste a single second, I sprinted for the storeroom in the palace, feeding as efficiently as I could before heading to the dining hall.

The higher-ups must have already been briefed, which saved me a task, at least.

“You’re going to find Aither?” King Allerick asked, looking frazzled. With Damen watching over Iris, Queen Ophelia seemingly focused on Cora, and Soren in the human realm, he appeared to be managing the nervous court single-handedly and it was clearly getting to him. “He’s not here—I’d have already sent him to the Pit if he was.”

If it came down to it, I’d cheerfully, willingly execute Aither for his betrayal. But there was always a good chance that it would come back to haunt me if I did. Far better that I got him securely locked away at the Pit to face a trial instead.

But Guard resources were thin, and I was only one Shade.

“I can send for Damen—or Theon—if you need more support,” King Allerick said, watching me closely, offering two of his brothers.

But I had brothers of my own, discordant and dysfunctional as they were.

“No need. I have a plan. I’ll have Aither at the Pit in a few hours.”

The king nodded, seemingly having unquestioning faith in my ability, which I hadn’t expected. I headed straight back out, quickly taking stock of the in-between before going home.

Home to Marseden, where I’d grown up. I’d left the moment I came of age and joined the Guard, and I’d never been back since. It was eerie how unchanged the whole place was, though it had been in the family for centuries, and that continuity had always been a point of pride.

Roan was asleep when I arrived, and I half expected him to turn away the staff member who went up to wake him at the news that I was here. Instead, he appeared on the sweeping staircase, rumpled and frowning, but there.

“What is it?”

“Do you want to see Caius?”

Roan straightened, the tiredness clearing from his expression. “Of course.”

“Then come with me.”

He didn’t question it, just fell into step with me as we headed out of the house and to the entry room I’d just arrived via. The route didn’t take me past where Selene was patrolling, and as tempted as I was to take the long way and look, I had a job to do here.

Roan was quiet as we emerged into the region where Caius had made his home—a cold, damp area at the base of a mountain. It was a good spot for growing flux moss, which was the sole reason Caius lived here. It certainly wasn’t for the ambience.

“Caius!” I called, banging on the door. “Can I come in?”

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