Page 25 of Dead

Warlocks?

“Most definitely,” Adriel answered.

Eilam scribbled again. Your people have turned against you?

“I don’t know,” Adriel answered. “The first attacker turned to dust moments after the fight. But Valen found vampire fangs in the ash. And the second attacker—who also had magical powers—he had fangs, as well.”

Witches can’t be vampires, Eilam scribbled on the page.

“Yes, but look at Hart. The human was born outside Midnight and was unknown until recently. If a vampire clan found someone like that and turned them, how powerful could they become?” Noah asked.

Eilam frowned before scribbling again. Too damned powerful.

“I asked Theis to bring Ralnur to the castle. I plan to meet with him and see if he can do a locator spell on any entity of both vampire and witch blood inside Midnight—I’d do it myself, but it’s a long and tiresome spell. I wouldn’t feel safe doing it there, and I can’t do it here. If he finds any, we might have more assassins to contend with,” Adriel said.

You can’t go back to the castle. Too dangerous. Bring Ralnur here.

“He can’t do the spell here,” Adriel said. “He must be in Midnight.”

Bring here. Instruct. Send back. You stay here—safe.

“I trust Ralnur. But this is my space,” Adriel spat. “No one comes here but me.”

Yet you brought us. Why?

Adriel stared at the words on the page. “I had no choice but to bring you here. I need the head of my security safe and well.”

Eilam pointed to the same word. Why?

Adriel frowned. “Because you’re important to me.”

Eilam held his gaze, and Adriel felt a tremor race down his spine. It wasn’t the admission Eilam had been trying to force for months, but it was damned close. They both knew that, he could see it in the bear’s eyes.

Finally, Eilam turned back to his notebook and scrawled something else before he lifted the page. Take Noah to protect you.

“We can’t leave you here alone,” Adriel said.

I’m fine.

“You nearly died.”

I’m stronger. Take him.

Adriel looked to Noah for support in his argument.

Noah shook his head. “While I don’t like the idea of leaving him, of the two scenarios, he’s right. I should go with you. We shouldn’t be long.”

“I can protect myself. And I’ll have my king’s guard there, too.”

Take him.

Adriel sighed. “Fine. I’ll take him.”

Eilam almost appeared to smile. The room grew quiet for a moment, and Adriel struggled with the weight of the desire he felt for them both.

Now that Eilam appeared to be safe and unharmed—there was nothing to hold them back.

Nothing, but Adriel.

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