Page 95 of Bitten

“He won’t be able to toss it,” Adriel said.

“I’ll go and guard Ralnur,” Theis said.

Ralnur eyed the guardsman.

“I’ll go, as well,” Noah said, giving Ralnur a glare. “And I swear—if you try to run, you will regret it.”

Ralnur nodded. “Understood. I have no desire to run. I barely feel as if I can walk.” How Kane survived with it around his neck, Ralnur didn’t know.

An hour later, they stood before the doors into Kane’s apartment, facing a series of daunting locks. Ralnur closed his eyes and tried to see the memory of them. The amulet was making it hard to think straight, let alone remember a memory that wasn’t his. He gave an attempt at the lock, but the door wouldn’t open.

He took a deep breath and tried again—only to fail.

“Damn it.”

“Can you open it or not?” Noah asked.

“I’m trying,” Ralnur said. He took another cleansing breath and pulled the memory up. The drain made him sway on his feet. He kept his eyes closed and moved his hands the same way he saw Kane move them in his mind—and heard a click.

He thrust the door open and raced into the darkness, as quickly as his weakened body could move. Caelian lay naked, bound, and motionless on the bed, blood pooling at his neck. Ralnur wasn’t sure if it would work, but he leaned over and licked the wound, tasting Caelian’s blood on his tongue.

Faded memories hit—nothing as concrete as what he’d seen when he’d drunk from Kane’s neck. Caelian’s golden eyes opened. The elf pinned him with a glance.

“Ralnur?”

Ralnur smiled. “Yes, it’s me.” He checked the wound and saw it was healing—and relief washed over him.

But the elf was pale—paler than he should’ve been.

Caelian lifted his head and looked around, fear on his face. “Where’s Kane?”

“Captured. And in the king’s dungeons.”

Caelian released a breath. “Unhurt?”

“For the most part.”

Tears shone in Caelian’s eyes as he looked up at Ralnur. “It’s my fault. I did this to him.”

“Shhh,” Ralnur whispered as he began to unlatch the first cuff. “You’ve been through a trying ordeal. Let’s get you out of here and somewhere safe and warm.”

Tears slipped down Caelian’s face. “I was trying to save him,” the elf said.

Ralnur unhooked the other hand and turned to see that Theis and Noah had already unfastened the ankles. He turned back to Caelian and drew the man into his arms. “You can tell me everything once we get back to the castle.”

“Back to the castle?” Noah asked.

Ralnur looked over one shoulder. “My room’s a virtual prison, is it not? He shouldn’t be alone.”

“If the king permits it,” Noah muttered.

Ralnur caressed Caelian’s chin, and their eyes met again.

“I’ll beg if I have to,” Ralnur answered, never taking his stare from the golden one before him.

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