Page 53 of Heir of Illusion

“You didn’t sneak up on me, you know,” I tell him honestly. “I sensed you coming. You have a very distinct presence.”

“It’s too early for flattery.” He examines my face, no doubt noticing the dark circles under my eyes. “How did you sleep?”

“Perfectly,” I lie. “You?”

“I dreamed I was being eaten by a giant monster with tentacles.”

“Condolences.”

I ignore the amusement in his eyes as I begin walking in the direction of the Darby house, his footsteps following close behind me. Thankfully, one of the guards was able to give me the address after they found me wandering through the forest last night. They gave me a ride back to the palace where Remy was waiting for me. Fortunately, he only sustained minor cuts and bruises from our time in the tunnels.

I expected Thorne to be distant this morning, but he’s still acting irreverent and amused. After the way he responded when I tried to touch him, I know he’s not as unbothered as he appears to be. I peek over my shoulder, catching his eye.

He raises a brow. “Need something?”

“Just making sure you aren’t falling behind,” I tell him as I turn back around.

When he speaks again, he’s much closer than before, his breath coasting over my ear.

“I wouldn’t advise it,” he warns.

I swallow. “What?”

“Underestimating me.”

I speed up, quietly scolding myself. I’m not here to be his friend. But Baylor expects me to get some sort of useful information out of my dear companion, and he won’t be pleased if I come back empty-handed. Trying not to be too obvious, I settle for a safe conversation starter.

“Are you staying nearby?” I ask, giving him time to catch up.

His lazy gaze slides over to me. “I’ve made accommodations.”

“Where?”

“Solmare.”

“Which part?”

“One of the districts.”

I sigh. Of course he would make this difficult. “Please, don’t be so forthright. You have an air of mystery to uphold.”

His lips twitch. “My apologies.”

I shake my head. “Such an embarrassment.”

“I hate disappointing my fans.”

“In your dreams,” I scoff.

“My lady, don’t flatter yourself.” He runs a hand through his hair. “My dreams are reserved for tentacled monsters.”

I start to laugh, but it catches in my throat as I stop dead in my tracks.

The strangest sensation settles over me. It’s as if some invisible chord is tugging me to the right. Hesitantly, I turn to find a dilapidated two-story house. The once white siding has been stained by time, fading into a muddy gray. A single blue shutter clings to the house, narrowly avoiding the fate of its fallen friends, who now rot in the damp soil of the overgrown garden.

It’s no worse off than the other homes we’ve passed in the Lowers, but something about this one feels sinister, as if it’s rotting from the inside out. Yet, it still calls to me. I take a step forward, noticing the collar pulse as it grows hot against my skin. It’s the same thing that happened last night when we found the other path in the tunnels. The invisible tether tightens as I move closer, helpless against this instinct.

“Angel?”

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