Page 51 of Heir of Illusion

My fingers move to my blades as I step closer. Peering inside, I find dark red stains marking the bottom of the canoe.

“Where would he go for aid if he were injured?” Thorne asks.

“I’m sure guards have been stationed at his home since this morning, and there’s likely a perimeter around the city. But it’s possible he went there before anyone knew the blade was missing.”

He shakes his head. “I doubt he’s stupid enough to stay at his own house, but we should at least interview his wife.”

“I agree,” I tell him. “But that conversation can wait until morning.”

He gives me an incredulous glance. “We don’t have time to waste.”

I heave a frustrated sigh as I tuck a strand of wet hair behind my ear. “She’s probably exhausted from the stress of her husband’s crime. I doubt she will be in a talkative mood if we barge into her home and wake her children in the middle of the night.”

He ponders this for a few moments before conceding. “I suppose your instincts may be better when it comes to women.”

I roll my eyes. “Besides, do you even know where she lives?”

He pauses. “Fair point. I’m guessing you’ll get those details?”

I nod as we step out of the cave. Tall pine trees surround us as we enter a forest. I’m guessing it’s part of the woods that borders the Lowers. I nearly groan as my tired legs protest at the thought of the long walk back to the palace. Perhaps I will be able to pay someone for a ride, so I don’t have to climb hilly streets for the next hour.

My mouth opens wide on a yawn as I stretch my arms above my head. “Meet me outside the pub around sunrise, and we can go speak to her together.”

I start to make my way through the forest, hearing his steps behind me as I hop over a fallen log. We’re heading for an opening in the trees when he tenses.

“The cavalry’s coming.” He points toward something in the distance.

I follow his gaze to find a dozen soldiers on horseback crossing over a hill about a mile out. They’re likely scouring the entire city and its surrounding areas, searching for Darby. My heart squeezes as I pray to the Fates that Remy is in that group and he wasn’t hurt when the tunnel collapsed.

I note their direction as they disappear behind a copse of trees. I should be able to cross paths with them and get a ride home. A strange ripping sound comes from behind me and I turn to find Thorne standing a few feet away with his wings fully extended. They stretch at least six feet on both sides, and I wonder once more how he manages to hide them.

My breath hitches at the sight of their beauty. The black feathers are just as lush and alluring as the first time I saw them. My fingers itch to feel their softness, but I ignore the impulse, remembering the anger on his face before.

He grins. “You said you wanted to see them again.”

“That’s not what I?—”

“Until tomorrow, Angel,” he cuts me off.

With a powerful flap of his wings, Thorne rises into the air and disappears into the night sky. Within seconds, he’s nothing more than a speck among the stars.

“Fucking reaper,” I mutter to myself as I begin my solitary walk to find the soldiers. I’ll be glad when we’ve located Darby, and I never have to lay eyes onLord Thorneever again.

His hand holdsmy hair in a tight grip as he shoves my head underwater.

Myfeet kick wildly as I try to push to the surface, but it hovers above me, another world just beyond my reach. My fingers claw and scratch at his hand, digging into his flesh with all my strength.

He yanks me up by my hair, and I gasp, my mouth opening wide to take in as much air as possible.

My chest expands painfully as tears leak from my eyes, mixing with the dirty lake water that clings to my skin. Instinctively, I grab his wrist, trying to take some of the weight off my screaming scalp.

I want to call out for Bel and beg him to find me, but I can’t catch my breath.

“You’re an abomination,” a rough voice whispers in my ear. “I should have done this the night your whore mother brought you into the world. Die, you wretched beast!”

The water swallows me whole as I’m plunged below the surface again.

No. No. No!

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