Page 273 of Born of Blood and Ash

I turned, seeing both her and Aiosin the doorway. “Hey.”

“What are you doing in here?” Bele asked, drifting into thelibrary.

I shrugged. “I was looking for something to read.”

The Primal’s eyes narrowed on me.“You…are so boring now.”

“Bele.” Aios sighed, smoothing ahand over her peach tunic. She brushed past Bele, her eyes filling withconcern. “Are you feeling unwell?”

“I’m so glad you asked that.” Bele crossed her arms. “I waswondering the same, but figured I’d get yelled at for saying you look like youhaven’t slept in a week.”

My stomach twisted sharply. Had they heard about my wild,late-night run? Other than Rhahar, I hadn’t seenanyone else. They must have. Guards had seen me, and who wouldn’t talk about alarge silver cave cat sprinting across the courtyard? “I shifted into my notalate last night and ended up running around for…” I trailed off, noticing bothgoddesses were gaping at me. “So, you didn’t hear about that?”

“No.” Bele drew out the word.

“I thought maybe you hadn’t gotten much sleep because of theattack,” Aios stated.

Gods, I wanted to smack myself. Somehow, that had completelyslipped my mind. Still, I was surprised they hadn’t heard.

“What is your nota?” Bele demanded.

“A cave cat.” My head cocked. “Yours?”

“An owl. Just like Hanan.” Her eyes rolled. “What the fuckam I supposed to do with that?”

Aios placed a hand on Bele’s side.“Be a beautiful, wise huntress.”

“Owls are creepy,” I said.

“No, they’re not,” Aios insisted,shooting me what could only be described as a look of desperation. “They arewonderful creatures.”

“I don’t know about that,” I went on. “How they turn theirheads is weird.”

Bele looked like she wanted to do more than give me themiddle finger.

“Thanks,” Aios grumbled.

I fought a smile. “What are you two up to?”

“I’m taking Aios to Sirta. That’swhere we were headed when I saw you standing in here, being all weird.” Beletook Aios’s hand and started backing up. “I would askyou to join us, but I’m mad at you, so I’m not.”

Worry rose as I glanced between the two. “Is it safe for herto be there?”

Bele stopped, her dark brows rising. “I wouldn’t take herthere if it wasn’t.”

I winced, realizing how that had likely come across. Guiltprodded at me. “I’m sorry. I know that. I’m just…a worrier.”

“It’s okay,” Aios was quick tosay. “We appreciate the fact that you worry.” She looked up at Bele. “Don’twe?”

“Yeah.”

That didn’t sound convincing at all. “Wait. Why are youwalking past the library if you’re taking her to Sirta? Wouldn’t you just shadowstep to your Court?”

“I don’t like shadowsteppingbetween Courts when I’m inside a building,” Bele answered. “It’s weird.”

My brow furrowed. “Why is that weird?”

“I feel like I’m going to accidentally step through or intoa wall.” Bele shuddered. “And get stuck in it.”

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