Page 35 of The Rowan
“Then hold tight to that vision of her. I’m glad you killed them, but don’t punish yourself for what happened. Do something about it. You’re Lucifer’s heir. With your power, you can make sure it doesn’t happen again.” She squeezes my hands. “Your sister should be your inspiration. Other families don’t have the resources you do to find their loved ones in the Underworld.”
I stare intensely at her hand on my arm, before covering it with mine. “You’re right. I can help others by putting in place better laws and protection and punishments. I’ll speak to my father. Thank you.”
“I’d like to ask you for a favor, for your help. Only if you want to help. If not, I’ve got other resources,” she babbles, and I want to laugh. “My last two bloodline tests are coming up, and one of them is healing. I need to know if I can heal someone. Will you teach me? If you don’t want to, I can ask An Lee. Actually, that’s what I’ll do. Forget I said anything.” She bites her lip and looks away.
“Yes, I’ll teach you,” I reply solemnly. “Healing is important to your health and to others. You never know, one day, you might have to save one of the cadre.”
Callyx groans from the corner and stands. His eyes glance from our clasped hands to my face. Raising an eyebrow, he silently asks me what the hell I’m doing holding her hand. He forgets I’m a Prince of the Underworld. I don’t have to explain myself to him.
“I’ve got to go. Lucifer is requesting my presence. I’ll pass along the assassin information to Vargas and see if he can pick up any leads,” he states. Striding over, he kisses her forehead and uses his hand to knock mine away from her.
I stand. “How dare you touch me?”
“Don’t you have a girlfriend?” Callyx reminds me. “Don’t mess with my sister.”
“Your sister can take care of herself,” I tell him.
Angry, he huffs, but Arden sharply calls his name and he deflates. With a growl, he stalks towards the door.
Theron walks in with Astor, who insists on checking Callyx before he leaves. Thankfully, no spells cling to him or Arden.
After Callyx leaves, I pick up her hand again, needing the light to stave off the darkness. She gives my hand a squeeze and smiles up at me, and my heart gives that one unsolicited beat.
22
FALLON
Ihead to Arden’s room when I get Theron’s text. Apparently, there’s been another assassination attempt. Fuck! I sweep my hand down my face in frustration. I haven’t been able to find one lead to follow. No matter where I send inquiries, nobody has information.
Which reminds me…Cormal has been extremely quiet these days. For the criminal king of the supernatural, this is uncharacteristic, since Cormal is usually the first one to bargain with me. He always has some tidbit of information to share or to use as leverage. I shoot him a text.
Fallon:Are you losing your touch?
Cormal: Prince Fuck You, nice to hear from you. I’ve lost a dozen men trying to get this information.
Fallon: So that’s a yes?
Cormal: I’ve got nothing. Every time I think we’re getting close, I find one of my men, dead. Whoever is behind this is powerful. There are only a handful of supernaturals with this kind of power, and they’ve all got royal blood.
Fallon: I see. Keep your ears open but send no more men.
Cormal: This is personal now. I don’t give a fuck if they’re royalty. I’m going to hunt this bastard down.
Fallon: Let me know what you find.
Dread tightens my gut.Whoever’s behind Arden’s assassination attempts, they’ve got an endless supply of power, wealth, and resources at their disposal. The good news is we can rule the witches out. While they have power and wealth, they don’t have the endless supply of resources it requires to repeatedly send out teams of assassins. That leaves her father’s side.
Entering Arden’s room, I notice Daire is sitting close to Arden on the bed, her hand clasped in his. Callyx is on his way out, so I step aside to let him leave. One of his shadows slithers out to probe me, but recoils when it reaches my aura. Like Astor’s, they abhor me.
A step to the side of the bed brings me closer to Arden and the potent smell of blood. I’m surprised Daire is able to sit this close to her. Without thinking, I lean down and kiss her forehead. She glances up and smiles at me.
Theron and Daire are fussing, trying to get her to stay in bed, but she’s insisting she’s healed.
“You’re a fast healer, Arden, even for an immortal,” I say, puzzled. “Were you not as injured as Theron thought?”
“Daire healed me,” she explains, squeezing his hand. “Now can I please get up? I need to think, which means I need to pace.”
Theron motions for Daire to move. “Stubborn witch,” he mutters.
