Page 51 of Devour the Dark

Roc snorts. “Is everything a trap to you?”

“Yes,” Winnie answers with a laugh. “He is suspicious of everyone.”

“That’s because everyone is suspicious.”

Asha hops off the island. “Do you think it’s a coincidence that they’ve seized your manor house?”

This is the elephant in the room, surely. I’ve been thinking about it ever since Malachi mentioned it.

“A coincidence?” Roc asks. “No. It was a targeted decision. There are at least a hundred mansions and manors on Darkland. It didn’t have to be that one.”

“What is their reason for wanting that one, then?” Asha asks, but I know her well. She’s not asking because she needs an answer, she’s asking because she already knows and she needs it confirmed.

“Here’s the plan.” Vane breaks away from Winnie and comes to the center of the room. It’s hard not to be instantly drawn to him. Much like Roc, there’s something magnetic about Vane. I used to think it was their good looks, which yes, is likely some of it. But now I wonder if it’s also their power, the monster thatlurks beneath. It must give them a certain kind of presence that is impossible to ignore.

“You are staying here.” Vane points at Roc. “And both of you should stay with him.” He nods at me and James next. “Both of you are a weakness for him and whatever is going on here, he is the center.”

I don’t want to admit it, but hearing Vane acknowledge my importance to Roc makes my stomach ignite with butterflies. No one knows Roc better than Vane. And yes, Roc didreassure meon the ship, but there’s something about a third-party confirmation that just makes it more real.

“Asha and I will go to the manor.”

“And me?” Winnie crosses her arms over her chest anticipating a fight.

“You’ll stay here.”

She tilts her head and gives him a look, popping out a hip while she does.

“Win,” he says, almost a growl.

“The shadow is more powerful when it’s together. Exiling me here only inhibits it.”

“She has a point,” Roc says.

“Shut up. You don’t know anything about the shadow.”

“I mean, half plus half equals one. I do know how to count.”

“Fine.” Vane spreads out his arms, a show of deference. At this point, I don’t know why he tries to fight her. She clearly, always, wins.

“You, Asha and I will go to the manor,” he goes on. “I will kill the Myth to fulfill our obligation to Malachi and as soon as he’s given us the hat, I will kill him too.”

“Now, there’s no need to get passive-aggressive about it.” Roc bends down to scoop up Firecracker and cradles the cat in his arms. “Malachi is doing what you or I would have done if we needed to keep our hands clean.”

“I don’t care. I’m still killing him.”

Firecracker digs his claws into Roc’s shirt and climbs up on his shoulder. “I feel it’s my duty to point out that by killing Malachi, we surrender a potential ally in this fight against the Myths. Mareth, her sister, Amanon, I can guarantee they aren’t the only ones on Lostland plotting the occupation of the Seven Isles.”

Vane crosses his arms over his chest. “He broke into the warehouse.”

“Yes, and he could have taken anything. He took a hat.”

“This time. What will he take the next?”

“Don’t kill him,” Roc finally says, and there is a finality in his voice.

Vane grumbles but doesn’t further the argument.

“Now that that’s settled, let’s talk about attire.” Roc reaches up to scratch Firecracker beneath the chin and the cat leans into the attention. “My closet may have a suit for you, but I’m short a few ball gowns for the ladies.”

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