Page 65 of City of the Lost
“Talons?” He sounded perplexed.
“Yes, talons.” I held up my hands and wiggled my fingers. “From my fingers, and I’m pretty sure I had scales cover my arm too. It didn’t last long, but I swear I saw it. Gil, something’s wrong.”
There was a long beat of silence, and then he handed me my cup of tea. I took a sip, glad it was still hot.
“Not necessarily wrong. Maybe you’re coming into your neph power,” Gilbert said. “We have no idea who sired you, but I can document the changes and maybe they’ll give us some clue.”
“You’d do that for me?”
“Of course.” Gentle pressure swept over the crown of my head. “There’s nothing to fear, Wila. You’re safe, and we will figure this out together.”
The door opened and Trevor padded in. He leapt up onto the bed and stared at me. “She looks pale,” he said.
“I thought she had a little more color to her cheeks than yesterday,” Gilbert countered.
“No, that’s the reflection from all the damned pink in the room.” He sniffed.
I bit back a smile. “You’re in my room, Trev.”
He huffed.
“That means you must love me.”
“Pah.” But if a dog could smile, then he’d be smiling. His nose wrinkled. “Someone needs a shower.”
I raised an arm and sniffed my armpit. Urgh. Yep, definitely coming from me. But the idea of standing in the shower or climbing in and out of the bath didn’t appeal. My limbs still felt like jelly.
Something bumped the door and Trevor rolled his eyes. “Bloody Hound.”
Pushing back the duvet, I shuffled out of bed and padded to the door. Hound lay across the threshold like a sentry. He raised his head at the sight of me, and then nudged my knee as if to say, glad you’re okay.
I buried a hand in the fur behind his ear and then crouched down to press my face against the top of his head. He tensed and then relaxed in increments. Whoever he was, wherever he’d come from, I was grateful for his solid presence.
“Hey, fancy helping me to the bathroom?”
Hound stood and, using him as a crutch, I hobbled my way across the hall to have a wash.
* * *
Feeling a little fresher than before,I climbed down the stairs with Gilbert hovering at my back and Hound at my side. Every step was a jarring experience, but we made it. Hound padded off into the lounge and Gilbert did his going-away thing because Azren was close. I could sense him, hear his heartbeat. No, that was fanciful and pretty impossible.
Azren was seated at the table, theDaily Vinespread out in front of him. The sight of the Shedim sent warmth rushing through my limbs and collecting at the base of my spine. It traveled upward and settled at the nape of my neck.
I stepped through the arch into the kitchen, and his head whipped up.
“Wila.” His eyes flared bright jade and his jaw set. He shoved his seat back with a scrape, strode across the kitchen, and swept me up into his arms.
“Whoa. What the heck?”
“You’re supposed to be resting.” He walked out of the kitchen and back up the stairs.
I tapped his chest with my index finger. “I’m hungry.”
He faltered for a moment but then continued up the stairs. “I will bring you food.”
“Um, okay, caveman. I’m perfectly capable of making myself a meal.”
“Ahem,” Gilbert said from behind us.
