Page 62 of Beneath the Cursed Veil

Gin put a hand on his chest. “If there’s anything we can do to assist you, please let us know.”

“This is perfect. Honestly,” I said, setting the wine down on the tray. I grabbed a piece of warm bread, dipping it into the stew and taking a big bite, letting out a pleased groan. “This stew is so good. It’s my favorite thing here.”

“Oh good, I’m so glad you think so. There’s a lot you can do with a root vegetable, if you know what you’re doing.” Gertrude grinned, clasping her hands together.

The tiniest of snores escaped Corvo as he slept. I rolled my eyes, finishing my bite, then took a swig of the wine. But instead of the familiar warmth alcohol usually brings, there was an odd cold that began to seep into my veins. At the same time, my face started heating up quickly, a burning numbness crawling over my skin.

I set the glass down, noticing my vision blurring at the edges. Was this the oath I took? Holding my palm up for inspection, I saw that nothing had changed. No mark that Vareck had mentioned.

“Something is wrong,” I mumbled, looking at the twins. I blinked, trying to shake it off, but it was getting worse. Anxiety flared, mixing with the growing numbness. Everything felt too fast and too slow at the same time.

“Everything seems to be working just fine,” Gertrude said, reaching into her pocket for something I couldn’t see clearly.

“Did you poison me?” I slurred, trying to push myself up, but barely made it half a foot before I had to hold on tothe side of the table. I tried to call for Corvo, but only a quiet slur escaped me.

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic,” Gin chided, tilting his head to face me.

“Don’t worry, we didn’t poison you,” Gertrude giggled.

“We just need you to go to sleep for a while,” Gin finished.

Slumping over, I fought to stay conscious. I swallowed dryly, begging internally for the world to stop spinning. When I fell to my side, I knew it was over. Gertrude repeated words I couldn’t understand, and what looked like a portal appeared in the middle of the room.

“It’ll all be over soon.” Gin tapped me, and I felt like I was floating.

I didn’t know what “it” was, but I didn’t want to find out. My thoughts went to Vareck. If I’d see him again. How long would I be gone before he knew I was missing? My heart ached when I realized he would think I left him, right after telling him he could trust me.

The thought crushed me, simultaneously giving me enough energy to let out a choked sob. As the world faded into oblivion, Corvo’s eyes shot open, and he looked directly at me. I think I might have mouthed the word ‘help,’ but the portal closed around me just as my consciousness faded.

Chapter 20

Corvo

Shit.

Chapter 21

Vareck

“There you are,” Kaia said. She swept her gaze across my office, then arched an eyebrow. “What’s with all the books?”

Several stacks were piled high on my desk and on the end table by my reading chair. Any other visible space had open books with random items wedged in the spines to hold the place.

“Research,” I muttered. My jaw tightened as I scanned the rest of the page I was reading, only to find nothing of use.

“The History of Blood Magic,” Kaia read aloud. She picked up the book off the stack and read the one below it. “Bonds and Bindings.” Her voice dropped an octave as she picked that one up too. “Blood Oath Case Studies.”

My head snapped up. “Hand me that one?—”

“What the hell? Please, please do not tell me you’re considering entering a blood oath with her.”

“I’m not considering anything.”

“Then why are you—” Kaia tilted herhead, lips parted. “You didn’t.” She dropped the books back onto my desk, a tiny plume of dust rose in the air, catching in the light.

“We’re going to find Damon.”

Kaia barked an unamused laugh. “How do you plan to do that with the necklace on her?” I didn’t answer. “Godsdamn it, Vareck. Tell me you didn’t do a blood oath with herandtake off the necklace. I know she’s the dream girl, but come on. She’s the one who abducted him and can’t even tell us who hired her.”

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