Page 52 of Shadow of Death

“Other than you.”

“Exactly.” He walked over, holding out his arm to me. “Let’s get this over with.”

We walked down to dinner together, and I didn’t realize I’d been squeezing his arm until he laid his hand over mine right as we entered.

The room turned to stare at us as we walked in. Our entrance went over like nails on a chalkboard. After an ambiguous stare from Varic, he nodded briefly before he went back to eating, and everyone else seemed to take their cue from him.

I was determined to make this dinner useful for something, even if it was just information.

Were there any possible allies in this place? My initial hunch had been none, but Aunt Elara certainly seemed ready to forgive and forget.

We made our way to the side table, where there were two seats sitting open for us next to Aunt Elara. It was eerily similar to our first dinner.

The reception, even toward Kicks, had chilled considerably, with only a nod here and there. It appeared as if a lot of the shifters here wanted to ride the fence until they saw which way this situation would settle. I might’ve resented it if I cared enough. The way I saw it, we were getting out of here and never seeing any of these people again.

Some of the younger girls were carrying around trays of food, Didi included. I took some venison and vegetables and also a glass of wine. I didn’t touch anything until I watched other people eating food from the same tray or decanter. Kicks obviously didn’t think Varic would poison either of us, because he dug in.

If anyone was willing to take the risk, it should’ve been me. I’d probably survive only because Death wasn’t done with me, but I wasn’t so sure she’d keep Kicks alive anymore. Our bargain had gone off the rails. I wasn’t sure there had been a warranty in the deal we’d struck? If I hadn’t been so desperate, sitting in that pit watching Kicks die, I might’ve worked out the details a little better.

Aunt Elara was sitting on my other side. She gave me a pat on the leg, showing me her support, even if not openly. Kicks had smiled warmly at her, but I was beyond believing in anyone I hadn’t gone to war with. If you hadn’t bled with me, had my back when things got ugly, then you were still in the undecided column.

I scanned the room. Athena, Varic’s wife, didn’t seem to speak much at all, but she had her resting bitch face down pat. I memorized the faces of those who seemed to be actively engaging Varic and those who seemed warier. His guard allseemed loyal to a fault. Would it hold up? I’d have to be prepared for that.

Dicon, who was settled in at a table almost directly across from us, was one of the most eager. If the thought of poison hadn’t thrown off my appetite, seeing his face would’ve done it. He was staring at Varic, interjecting comments at every lull in the conversation, trying to grab on to any breadcrumb of attention.

Kicks was leaning behind me, speaking to his aunt, when I caught Dicon staring at me, and then sneering. I glared back, refusing to be cowed by him. Let him try to screw with me. Even if Death didn’t kill him, I would, one way or another. If I couldn’t get it done, Kicks would. Point was, he’d be dead.

Dicon’s attention shifted to Didi, who was carrying out more platters of food. He waved her over, but she moved past him as if she hadn’t seen him. I doubted it was an oversight. She didn’t like him either. It didn’t make us friends, but I felt for the girl.

I stared at him and smirked, making sure he knew I’d seen the snub. His face went red.

I refocused my attention on my food, knowing if I kept looking at him, I’d lose my appetite for good.

A few seconds later, a crashing sound drew my attention back up. Didi was sprawled on the ground, her platter’s contents splattered around her. Several people rushed over to help.

Dicon smirked in my direction, slumped back in his chair, his legs stretched out. Sick, mean bastard.

I shouldn’t have goaded him. Now she’d paid the price.

Kicks whispered, “Why do you look so angry? What just happened?” He nodded toward Didi.

She was okay. I wasn’t going to upset him, too. Worse than upsetting him—I couldn’t risk Kicks standing up for her. It would get him killed because he wasn’t the type of person to let something like that go. If Didi was being actively threatened, itwould be a different situation. I’d feel compelled to get involved too. But it wasn’t worth starting a brawl for a bruise on her knee, which any shifter wouldn’t even have in an hour.

“Looks like she tripped.”

Kicks met my stare and then turned to look across the room, as if trying to narrow down the suspects.

“Kicks, let it go? I didn’t see anything. I was just making assumptions.”

Kicks gave a nod but was stiff enough to show he was suspicious of my thoughts.

Dicon watched Didi clean as he picked up a rib from his plate, his hands as greasy as his soul. I wished he’d choke on it. If I did get out of this place, I was killing him on the way out. He deserved it.

The rage brewing in me was beginning to feel like a tangible thing. A fury with a life of its own. The wolf from my dreams suddenly appeared beside me, its fur brushing my arm. No one even blinked an eye as it sat there and began to growl at the subject of my anger. Was I hallucinating? What the hell was wrong with me?

Kicks laid a hand on my leg, meeting my gaze.

I shook my head, trying to appear normal. No way I was telling him that my imaginary wolf was sitting in the main hall, growling at the man who’d just pissed me off. I’d already told him about Charon, who I now thought might have been imaginary. Although at least Captain Rod had seen him, or said he had. Maybe it had been a mistake, though.

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