Page 144 of Of Nine So Bold

I glanced at Niko. He was frowning at the bed.

Fuck, what now? Yeah, it was moldy but?—

Oh.

“Do you think you could do something about that mold?” I asked, my voice so much sharper than I intended because of my nervousness.

Dammit.

But he didn’t react like he was offended, merely nodding and walking into the room. “Give me a second.” He extended his hands over the bed and closed his eyes.

A moment passed. The colors of the blankets grew stronger. Shades of brown and green and blue that were muted before now became, if not bright, then at least more noticeable.

Niko exhaled as he lowered his hands. “Done.”

I hesitated, torn between my own awkward discomfort and the demon’s sudden insistence thatweneeded to do something for Gwyneira too.

Which was dumb.

Also probably accurate.

Niko started to look my way.

Fuck.

I turned and strode back down the corridor, caving to the demon’s demands. Anxiety—on my part and the demon’s—fueled my muscles as I dragged several of the massive doors around, layering their corners atop each other across the width of the hall.

If anyone came this way, they’d have to step on those, making enough noise that I’d hear them coming.

When I came back down the corridor, Gwyneira and Niko were standing by the doorway, staring.

“Wow,” the princess whispered.

“What?” I faltered, glancing behind me.

Oh. Those were huge. That shouldn’t have been possible for someone my size.

Shit.

Don’t you dare try to take control now,I snarled at the demon as I gestured for Niko and Gwyneira to go back into the room.

The creature didn’t respond.

Bastard.

I shut the door behind us all. There was only one entrance, which was good, and the debris in the hallway would serve as a warning if anyone approached from that direction. The windows could still be a problem, though.

Harpies being able to fly and all.

Scowling, I crossed to the window and glared out at the landscape.

“So, Roan…” Niko began.

Fuck.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry.”

I froze. That… that hadn’t been what I expected.

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