Page 13 of Cursed Shadows

“It could be a block of some kind,” Dragan announces, looking at me, and I remember we’re still trying to solve the question of my own missing memory. “Whoever falsely branded you obviously opposed Variant, otherwise they wouldn’t have made the effort to make you appear legal…”

“If you are, in fact, falsely branded,” Cambion adds. No one responds, which is just as well because I’m sure everyone is tired of this line of reasoning.

“May I see the markings?” Baron asks me.

“Why?” Dragan growls and immediately steps forward, between Baron and me.

I’d thought he was tense before, but for a moment I worry he’s turned entirely to stone. I look up at him, trying to silently reassure him it’s okay. Everyone else in the room has seen me in various stages of undress, so what’s one more? Besides, I feel like I should do anything I can to convince Baron I need him and I’m not his enemy. If he wants to see my markings, he can see them.

I sit up and rotate the front of my body away from the rest of the group as I shrug out of my cloak. It’s warmer inside, but the cold of the air still surprises me and I feel my body tighten against the change in temperature.

The bed shifts as Baron sits down beside me. I look over my shoulder at him.

“Don’t get any ideas,” Dragan growls again.

Baron glances up at him and frowns but says nothing. Then, he turns his attention back to me. I can feel him studying my back, and I flinch at the coldness of his finger as he traces the markings. He’s not afraid to touch me, and I’m surprised. After that vision, I would think he’d want to avoid touching me at all costs but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Goosebumps erupt over my skin as he glides his fingertip along the shapes. The movement of his finger paints them, in my mind, as spirals.

My brain flashes at his touch, just a few non-sensical images. The graveyard scene again, a woman’s voice… the same one I hear in my own head. I’m too tired to lean into them. The images alone make me feel even more fatigued than I already am and my head aches in response.

“Fascinating,” he murmurs under his breath before removing his hand. Then I feel it on my shoulder.

“What’s fascinating?” asks Dragan, his jaw clenched so tightly I imagine his teeth breaking in half.

“If what the sprite says is true, and Eilish really does possess her wings, then these markings are the most realistic copiesI’ve ever seen. I know Variant’s marks and I know forgeries. Whoever did this to the ang… to Eilish… knew what they were doing.”

“Who do you imagine did them?” Cambion asks.

Baron shrugs. “I have no idea. But they’re identical to Variant’s seal, which would lead me to believe that whoever did them has done many before.”

“As in, the person who marked Eilish marked all the other angels?” asks Dragan.

Baron shrugs. “It would not surprise me.”

“But why would someone working for Variant want to betray him? We all know first-hand how dangerous he is,” Cambion points out.

“And yet, here you are,” says Baron as he gives Cambion the once-over and looks away, as if unimpressed. “You aren’t the only ones wanting to see Variant destroyed.”

Cambion nods somberly, “You would certainly have more cause than most.”

Baron raises an eyebrow at that. “I admit I hate him, but not for personal reasons,” he clarifies. It’s Cambion’s turn to look confused.

“You really have no memory of whoyouare or whoweare?” Dragan asks, shaking his head as his eyebrows meet in the middle of his forehead. He appears… both concerned and touched.

“No,” responds Baron, his voice has an edge to it. I can still feel his hand on my shoulder, the tips of his fingers begin to shake.

“We watched you die,” Cambion says. His eyes are far away and haunted; I can see him replaying the scene of Baron’s death in his mind.

“How—” Baron begins but Dragan interrupts him.

“Before Variant took power, there were four of us,” Dragan says. “We controlled the balance between dark and light. Variant, Cambion, you, and me.”

Baron swallows hard but doesn’t say anything.

“Variant attempted to take power and the three of us fought him,” Dragan continues.

“The Great War?” Baron asks.

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