Page 74 of Lady of Darkness

“Yes, in a way. Our tonics do more than that though,” Nuri answered.

“Youtake a tonic as well?”

Nuri’s lips thinned. A question she couldn’t answer then. He was about to ask another question when a sharp, short knock sounded at the main door. “Sorin?” came Cassius’s voice.

Sorin rose and walked quickly to the door. He had barely unlocked it when Cassius pushed his way in, shoving an armful of feminine clothing into his arms. He had a bag in his hand as well that he set down near the door. “Where is she? Then we need to talk.”

He led Cassius to his bedroom, where he placed the clothing in the chair he had vacated. Cassius strode to the bedside. Scarlett was still curled on her side, her breathing soft and even. Sorin watched as Cassius gently moved a curl out of her face. He paused when his fingers brushed her skin and swore. “She always gets such a high fever with this stronger tonic.”

Sorin came up beside him and put a hand to her cheek. Her skin was sweltering and sweat lined her brow. “It is not a fever.”

“How is itnota fever? She’s burning up,” Cassius said, his eyes fixed on Scarlett.

Sorin turned to leave the bedroom, gesturing for Cassius to follow. The clock on the mantel above the fireplace told him it was well past dawn. He walked to a window, pulling back a curtain to peer outside. Clouds had moved in, casting the morning in shades of gray. The city was awake and bustling.

“Are you sure she can stay here?” Sorin asked, turning back to Cassius. “Won’t people wonder where she is?”

“Tava is taking care of it. Scarlett slips from the manor all the time. Tava is used to covering for her,” Cassius replied, going to pick up the bag by the door. He took a croissant from within and held it out to Sorin. Sorin hadn’t even realized he was hungry. He took it with a nod of thanks as Cassius pulled another pastry from the bag and took a bite of his own.

“I’m fine, thanks,” Nuri snapped. She had moved into the room and was seated on the sofa now, her arms crossed in front of her.

“I ought to wring your neck for suggesting to Sorin that he see what happens when she doesn’t take her tonic,” Cassius snapped at her.

“You could try,” she crooned with a vicious smile.

“Enough,” Sorin ordered. “A croissant is not what you really want, so why bother whining about it?” Nuri shot him a look. He returned it with a smirk and then looked to Cassius. “While her methods are not exactly pleasant, they are efficient and allowed me to figure some things out.”

“You figured out how to help her?” Cassius asked, his eyes still full of fury as he stared at Nuri.

“I did.”

“You’re welcome,” Nuri said sweetly, batting her eyelashes at Cassius.

“I’m assuming she’s been sleeping soundly since I left?” Cassius said, finally dragging his stare from her.

Sorin nodded, finishing off his croissant. Cassius held the bag out to him, and he grabbed another. As he did, Nuri stood. “I’m going to get my own breakfast. I’ll be back in an hour to stay with her.”

“I would be happy to supply you with something fresh,” Sorin said wryly.

Nuri gave him a vulgar gesture as she pulled her hood up and slid out the window.

“What is that about?” Cassius asked suspiciously.

“Someone dishing back what Nuri so generously gives out,” Sorin answered darkly. “How did you create the wards?”

“I am not entirely sure. I was an orphan on the streets of the Black Syndicate when I was taken in by the Fellowship. In exchange for room and board and survival, I was to train to become an assassin. That’s where I met Nuri, Scarlett, and—” He paused, looking Sorin over warily. “And the third. When I was ten, the Lord of the Assassins called everyone in the Fellowship into the meeting arena and presented the three girls to us. He said Nuri was his daughter, explained who the other two were, and went on to inform us that if anyone inside the Fellowship or out laid a finger on any of them outside of training, he would deal with them personally.

“When I was twelve, I was sent to the Elite District on a training exercise. What I didn’t know was that the exercise was being ambushed by six other boys in an alley.I bested them all single handedly, and when I was finished, Lord Tyndell stood before me. He said the king’s army could use someone like me and if I wished it, I could come live with him at the manor.

“Nuri’s father wasn’t particularly pleased with the idea, but eventually decided having someone on the ‘inside’ would be beneficial so the Lord of the Assassins told me that my debts would be paid in full should I continue to train at the Fellowship and still take jobs when summoned. I moved in with the Tyndells and was raised alongside Drake and Tava. I continued to train in secret at the Fellowship, and when I was old enough, also trained as a soldier.

“As the girls got older, they were each assigned private trainers. I became Scarlett’s, but all three of them eventually surpassed our instruction. They brought in instructors and tutors from all over the continent and then across the seas. The girls were exceptional on their own, but extraordinary together. What you see between them is the result of that.”

“It is why you are such a lethal fighter,” Sorin said, more to himself than to Cassius.

Cassius nodded. “When I came of age and Drake was sent to begin training to follow in his father’s footsteps, Lord Tyndell asked if I would be willing to help with a new project he was working on for the king. I was eager to prove myself and show my gratitude for all he had done for me.”

“A new project? Like the High Force?” Sorin asked.

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