Page 46 of Claws of Death

One hand in the air, sword in the other, Myron waits, listening.

“You lost half of your salary last time we played, Chali. You sure you’re ready for what comes if you lose the rest?” A male voice chuckles, but his words are slightly slurred.

The bubbling of liquid followed by the slide of a glass along the table confirms they must be drinking.

“I’m ready, but I’m not convincedyouare.” Innuendo floats on the female’s tone, making my cheeks blush evenwhen I don’t even know what they’re playing, but I’m almost convinced she plans on paying her debts with her body.

Myron rolls his eyes, gesturing for us to take the next staircase down, and we follow his lead, Herinor’s brows knitted and my stomach in knots. The daggers in my hands weigh nothing, my feet light and fast as I keep up with the two males.

A few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have believed I could achieve near soundless paces, but I’ve spent my time wisely, practicing and honing my other fae abilities if I couldn’t train my magic. I’ve been studying them—all of the Crows. Their stealthy movements, the way they roll their soles to avoid noise, the patterns of scanning their surroundings.

My body might be human, but it follows Crow instincts now. Power hums in my veins, and I could turn into smoke and feathers if I wasn’t so damned scared.

“Find anything?”Kaira’s voice in my head nearly startles me to death, my hand stupidly grasping for the handrail as we sneak down the stairs.

“Nothing of use,”I inform her, focusing already on the next set of doors ahead, this one wider and one of two on a short segment of hallway before it ends in a large, open sitting area. I might have liked the design of russet and cream had this not been an enemy home where I was held captive. “You?”

“Nothing. Only empty sleeping quarters. Seems they’re all out training.”

“Or burning down more of Askarea,”I suggest, wondering how many people the Flames have killed.

“That for sure. It doesn’t take a whole house of Flames to do that, though. Most of the rooms we’ve seen haven’t been slept in for days. Some for weeks.”

“How do you know?”

Kaira seems to hesitate. “I’ve stayed in one like these most of my life. Simple soldier quarters in a fancy home.”There’s a sting to her words that has nothing to do with our search for the fairies or with the fact that she’s been at the bottom end of the food chain in her own people all her life. How I can tell, I’m not sure, but I don’t pry.

“We’re entering a sitting room,”I narrate, sending over the image of the grand arrangement of uncomfortable-looking brocade chairs and brass-adorned table. Fresh flowers are sitting at the center of it, bending their colorful heads this way and that.

In front of me, Myron shakes his head, pointing back toward the hallway, and we circle around before all of us have fully entered the room.

“Nothing there,”I report while Kaira sends me the image of an empty hallway from their side of the estate.

The third group must have found nothing either, or we’d have heard signs of battle. Why the silence is so reassuring, I don’t even try to unpack. Perhaps I’m not ready to face the enemy, or I’m just glad my friends aren’t in immediate danger.

Not that sneaking around the Flames’ home isn’t the highest degree of dangerous.

For long minutes, we check one room after the other for signs of missing fairies. Personally, I would have started with the place of assault and gone from there, but with everythingburned to ashes, there are no tracks and traces of life where the Flames captured Recienne’s soldiers. Clio herself has visited each and every scorched battlefield to confirm.

“Anything?”Kaira prompts as we make it to the second floor without coming across more Flames. It’s like the house has been abandoned without us noticing. I could swear we saw at least twenty Flames come and go, and as many Crows; there should be more people in this place.

All we find is the empty main hall and reception room. And inside the next room?—

My stomach folds in on itself as I recognize the heavily ornamented walls and ceiling, the russet brocade and cream filigree. And there, covered in impeccable sheets speaking of the innocence of a welcoming guest room, the bed I’d been sleeping in for long, long days stands against the opposite wall. Nothing speaks of the torment I’ve endured in here, but it doesn’t matter that they’ve cleaned away every visible trace of me.

Myron’s nostrils flare, grip tightening on his weapon as he scents the air. A low growl rumbles in his throat, and even Herinor has the good sense to stand aside as Myron prowls into the room, squinting as if struggling to keep his eyes open, and rams his blade right into the pillows resting at the head of the bed. With a powerful tug on the pommel of his sword, he slices through the length of the bed, covers, mattress, down to the wooden frame, until it splits apart with a marrow-freezing creak.

“What was that?”Kaira’s voice barely breaks through the sound of Myron’s anger breaking the bed where I’d once been stuck.

“Nothing.”Determined to console him, I follow Myron into the room, sheathing one dagger as I reach for his hand.

He rips it away, rounding on me, breath ragged and eyes wild. I’ve never seen him like this. Even when he realized Ephegos had betrayed him, he hadn’t been boiling with rage like he’s boiling now.

“Didn’t sound like nothing.”The obvious alarm in Kaira’s tone catches my attention. “Do you need reinforcements?”

She’d be there in a heartbeat if I said I needed her, but I shake my head at myself, at Myron, and at her. “Just keep your eyes open in case the noise attracted any attention. We’re safe for now.”

At least, that’s what I hope when I reach for my dagger once more, gesturing for Myron to leave.

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