Page 101 of Lady of Darkness

Cassius cast a look at Nuri, and as if it released her tongue, she said,“He’s right. Everything must appear as normal as possible today. Scarlett and I cannot leave here. We cannot be seen in or outside this apartment.” She paused, then added, “I will not lay a hand on her, General. You have my word.”

“The word of a Night Child is no comfort to me,” Sorin answered coldly.

“She will not lay a hand on her,” Cassius said in that lethal voice.

Sorin realized he had little choice. They were right. Everything needed to appear normal and routine today. He sighed with a nod at Cassius. “Let me change and get my things.”

He reentered his bedroom. Scarlett still lay curled on her side. He slipped into the bathing room and changed into his uniform, coming back to strap his various weapons into place. Then he summoned paper and pen from a fire orb and scribbled a quick note to Scarlett. He laid it on the pillow next to hers, and the light seeping in around the curtains glimmered off the Semiria ring on his finger. With a sigh, he removed it and laid it on the note as well. His entire body felt cold and empty as his magic vanished.

He walked with Cassius down the streets towards the castle. Despite being the end of summer, the mornings were beginning to take on the feel of autumn. He had been right when he’d slung his cloak around his shoulders as they had left the apartment. They could see their breath in puffs of air as they kept their pace brisk.

“Everything is in place for tonight?” Cassius asked conversationally, like he was asking about the weather.

“As far as I know,” Sorin answered. “I have been told little of this evening’s events or why it is being done, only that it is to occur at my apartment.”

“Scarlett did not tell you what’s been happening or the history of it?”

“I know the basics, but not the details.”

“She did not tell you of that night,” Cassius said, his voice tense.

“No.” His own voice was short and clipped. “I asked, but she refused.”

“Perhaps she will yet,” Cassius said, “but know that she speaks to no one of that night.”

“You outrank Nuri,” Sorin said, changing the subject.

“Yes.”

“How?”

Cassius hesitated. “The workings of the Syndicate are not discussed with outsiders,” he said. He sounded almost apologetic. “I suppose it’s similar to you not sharing details of your own lands, but I told you a few nights ago, when it comes to Scarlett, I outrank everyone.”

“Why did you not stop things the night Nuri and Scarlett fought then?”

“Because Nuri was not the one who needed controlling that night.”

“You outrank Nuri but not Scarlett?” Sorin asked, failing to keep the incredulity from his voice.

“In a way, yes,” Cassius answered tightly.

They were nearly at the castle now. The stone towers and turrets reaching into the dawn kissed sky. Cassius seemed to hesitate as he asked, “Are you prepared for tonight?”

“I did not know I needed to prepare anything,” Sorin answered, raising a brow.

A knowing look came over Cassius’s face. “You know of her and Callan?”

Sorin’s mouth formed a thin line. “She told me the story ofthat, yes.”

Cassius gave a slight grimace. “Hearing the story and seeing it are two very different things.”

“What does it matter to me?”

Cassius merely said, “Prepare yourself, Aditya,” as they walked onto the castle grounds.

The day had dragged on and on and on. Finally, he was walking back to his apartment. He was alone this time, and it was later than he had planned. After he was done at the castle, he’d had another meeting to attend that had lasted far longer than anticipated. Cassius would be arriving later tonight with Prince Callan, but with the delay, that was only two hours away. He took the stairs two at a time up to his floor, and he entered to find Nuri lounging on the sofa, the door to his bedroom still closed.

“Did she come out at all?” Sorin asked, hanging his cloak on a hook.

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