Page 202 of Lady of Ashes

“Nothing,” the vampyre replied.

“Focus,” Scarlett hissed from between her teeth. “The magic will show you. Focus on it.”

“You are beginning to heal, Love,” Sorin said softly. She felt him lower to the ground beside her.

“Then reopen the wound,” she ordered. She’d dropped the dagger at some point. Her shadows were beginning to strain, as if suddenly realizing they were being used and pulled from her.

“Perhaps we should re-evaluate—”

“No coddling, ?re prick,” Nuri chided, and Scarlett turned her head to ?nd Nuri kneeling beside her other side. In less than a second, she pulled a knife from her boot and sliced along Scarlett’s forearm again, moving it back over the Mark. “Focus on the Contessa,” she ordered Auberon.

Scarlett’s breathing was ragged as her magic was forced to give more and more. White embers were sparking in her vision among the shadows, and she was fairly certain she was going to pass out when Auberon said, “Got it.”

Nuri released Scarlett’s arm, and she fell against Sorin’s chest. He was already lifting a glass to her lips, and she couldn’t help the grimace as she swallowed the coppery-tasting liquid. Her magic sighed in relief, already refilling with each gulp from the glass. She drained the entire thing, and when Sorin tipped the glass up, his voice came down the bond.

Do you need more?

No. Her voice sounded breathless even down the bond.I just need a minute to recoup before we go.

You swear it?

I know that I need to be at full strength right now, Sorin.

He pressed a kiss to her temple, and Scarlett tuned back into the conversation happening around them.

“The riverfront property? You are sure,” Talwyn was asking.

“Positive,” Auberon con?rmed. “What are we waiting for?”

“She needs a minute,” Sorin replied, his voice low and lethal, daring anyone to challenge him.

“Is she all right?” Cyrus asked.

“I’m ?ne, Darling,” Scarlett said. “Do you have any water?”

A minute later, he was handing her a glass, and she downed the entire thing, trying to get the taste of blood out of her mouth. “Can we portal there?” she asked, passing the glass back to Cyrus.

“I can Travel us,” Talwyn said. “I know where we are going.”

Scarlett nodded, pushing off of Sorin and sitting up. When her head ?nally stopped spinning, Sorin helped her to her feet. He swung her cloak around her shoulders, clasping the clips for her.

“You are sure about this?” he murmured, reaching to pull her hood up.

“Do we have a choice?”

“You always have a choice, Scarlett,” he said, his hands cupping her face.

“Then my choice is to help the Contessa,” she said with a weak smile.

He brushed a quick kiss to her lips. “Then let’s go, my Queen.”

She felt her cheeks flush slightly as she turned to the others. “It would be best to take us in some place farther away,” she said to Talwyn. “Then we can see what we are dealing with rather than landing at the front door.”

“Agreed,” Azrael said, his arms crossed over his chest.

“I will take us in a few miles north,” Talwyn replied.

“We evaluate and make a plan before anyone goes ahead. Can we all agree on that?” Sorin asked, command ringing in his tone as he leveled his gaze on Scarlett, Nuri, and Juliette.

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