Page 71 of Only Cold Depths
“Fine.” Vesper ground out the word for a third time. “Let’s leave the antiques emporium, return to the estate, and discuss how House Zimmer has denied my existence for the last thirty-seven years. That will be a pleasant chat, don’t you think?”
Wendell flinched at her harsh tone, while Beatrice’s lips pressed together into a tight line.
“Excellent!” Zane said, seemingly undisturbed by the simmering tension and angry accusations. “I’m so glad you’re finally listening to reason.”
“There’s no reasoning with you,” Asterin muttered.
Zane winked at her, then tilted his head at Wendell and Beatrice. The two of them nodded at Vesper, then left the garden.
Zane turned to me, another smirk on his face. “Broken noses really hurt, don’t they, Kyr? You’d better wipe the blood off your chin, put some ice on your face, and give yourself a skinbond. I wouldn’t want to ruin your dark and dashing good looks that my sister finds so appealing.”
My fists squeezed even tighter, but somehow I resisted the urge to pummel the other Arrow. A few weeks ago, Zane had insulted Vesper while the two of us had been sparring in my training ring at Castle Caldaren, and I’d broken his nose to shut him up. Zane had vowed to pay me back, and he’d finally found a way to get his revenge and hurt Vesper in the process.
Zane smirked at me a moment longer, then strutted away.
“Excellent!” Lady Verona chirped in a cheerful voice as though nothing was wrong. “I’ve arranged for transports to take you all back to the estate.”
“Zane gave you his word that he isn’t here to capture Vesper?” I asked in a sharp, suspicious voice.
Verona nodded. “He did, and I made sure Lord Zane realizes he will see the inside of an Erzton prison—or worse—if he attempts something so foolish.”
Her voice rang with sincerity, easing some of my worry.
Verona gave us all a bright smile. “Aldrich and I will be along later. Give you all some time to sort things out.”
Vesper shook her head. “There’s nothing to sort out.”
Her face was calm, yet more heartache rippled through the bond. Vesper tipped her head to the Colliers, along with Siya, Rigel, and Leland, then strode past them. I fell into step beside her, with Asterin trailing along behind us.
Vesper didn’t say anything, but thoughts whipped around in her mind like a whispering whirlwind, and one emotion after another streaked off her like stars shooting through the night sky—shock, confusion, anger, hurt.
Zane might not have captured Vesper, but in his own way, he had already wounded her. He was going to pay for that. So were Wendell and Beatrice if they dared to do the same thing.
My inner monster roared with rage, but for once, I couldn’t help Vesper. There were no Imperium soldiers to escape, no bounty hunters to cut down, no mercenaries to battle.
No, right now, Vesper was being confronted by the most dangerous enemy of all: family.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
VESPER
Kyrion,Asterin,andIleft the antiques emporium, got into a transport, and returned to the Collier estate.
Asterin’s tablet chimed with a message. “The Zimmers are staying in some suites on the ground floor of the guest wing. They’re waiting for you in the main library. I’ll take you there.”
The three of us crossed the courtyard and entered the guest wing. Asterin led us through several corridors before stopping in front of a set of closed doors.
She laid a gentle hand on my arm. “I’ll give you some privacy and make sure no one disturbs you.”
I nodded, and she disappeared around the corner. I should have reached for the knob, twisted it open, and entered the library, but instead, I stood there, frozen in place, my body numb.
Kyrion looked at me, his face soft with sympathy. The same emotion pulsed through the sticky cobweb in my mind, bringing a much-needed spark of warmth back to my body. “Are you okay?”
A harsh, bitter laugh spewed from my lips. “No, of course not. I can’t believe they just showed up here. How did Zane even track us to Sygnustern?” Worry shot through me. “Do you think he told Holloway where we are?”
Kyrion shook his head. “No. Zane is a lot of things, but he wouldneverput Wendell and Beatrice in danger. I’m guessing he didn’t tell Holloway where he was going or what he was really doing.”
“Why would he do that?”
