Page 25 of Darkness and Deceit
“She’s not fragile,” I say, more to myself than to him. “But sheisbeing stretched thin. And we can’t afford to let her carry all of this alone.”
He doesn’t answer right away. Doesn’t have to. We’re already on the same page.
Again.
“Everyone wants something from her,” he mutters. “The Keepers. Bennett. The Balance.”
“You forgot Kai.”
“No,” he responds quietly. “I didn’t.”
A beat passes. Then I notice movement ahead. I glance up just in time to see Lilith appear at the edge of the path, trying to appear casual, but I know the difference between a girl out for a walk and a girl who just rolled out of someone else’s bed.
Her shirt is buttoned wrong. Hair a little too wild. Cheeks flushed like she’s been running… or sinning.
And judging by the smug shadow behind her, I’m betting on the latter.
Kai follows a few steps behind, wearing that haunted-but-sated look that makes me want to punch something.
Lilith is the picture of ruined, though trying to pretend otherwise. And gods, she wears it well.
I close the distance, step right into her path, and before she can so much as blink, I reach up and smooth a stray strand of hair behind her ear, letting my fingers linger a little too long.
“Morning, Fox,” I murmur, fingers trailing over her cheek. “Sleep well? Or just… often?”
Lilith’s eyes widen and then narrow immediately.
She swats my hand away. “You’re fucking impossible, you know that?”
“Only because you make it so easy.”
She flushes a beautiful shade of red and I have to remind my dick that we have shit to do that doesn’t involve me making Lilith that color in my bed.
Kai says nothing, but the subtle tension in his jaw speaks volumes. He steps closer to her. I wisely step back.
We start walking again. Ahead, the sound of activity grows louder.
The forest clearing where the Keepers have made camp is nothing like the academy grounds. Where Obsidian is sharp and looming and cloaked in history, this space feels…militant.
Three towering tents of deep royal blue rise like monoliths from the grass, trimmed with silver rune-stitching that glows faintly beneath the sun. The largest tent bears the symbol of the Balance—etched not in thread, but scorched directly into the canvas.
Around them, Protectors move like shadows—dressed in sleek black leathers and reinforced armor, weapons glinting at their hips.
One of the Predators steps forward, blocking our path. “Hand,” he says.
Simon doesn’t hesitate. He offers his palm. The man draws a slender, wicked-looking blade and slices. The blood drips, then vanishes in a shimmer of magic.
Kai follows, offering his hand without a word. Lilith’s gaze flicks to the blade, just for a second, before she lifts her chin and holds out her hand. Brave as ever.
Then it’s my turn.
“My, my. Such warm hospitality.” I offer my hand with a flourish.
The Predator grunts and slices me open like it’s just another fucking item on his to-do list.
Lilith looks down at her own hand. “What was that?”
“A blood ward,” I reply. “That blade kills anything that doesn't belong.”
