Page 86 of Lore of the Wicked Wood
“Yet…” Atlas repeated, hating the way the word sounded, like an omen. A promising threat of worse things to come. He took a drag of the stig and wisps of floral minty smoke floated in front of him. “You think there will be more?”
Veros turned slowly and faced him. His face was somber as he said, “I think this is only the beginning.”
Somehow, hearing Veros utter those words caused tendrils of dread to curl around Atlas. They coated his skin like ice and the hairs along the back of his neck stood on end.
This particular sensation was far worse than the wordyet.
If Veros’s fears were true, then they would need to go beyond the docks, the parlors, and the city for more information. They would need to venture deeper into the underdark of the world below the gilded rooftops of the Golden City.
Atlas stared at his friend and his chest tightened. “I must go to the Marzena.”
“The Marzena?” Veros frowned, a line of concern crinkling across his brow. “You’re serious?”
“Completely serious.” Atlas blew out another puff of smoke.
The Marzena was a maze of damp tunnels and misleading paths located beneath Starysa’s streets. It was the sort of place that was only whispered about in darkened alleys, where the dealings were as obscure as those who dwelled there. A market for the occult, where one could find anything from untraceablepoisons to necklaces made from merrow scales to jars of still-beating hearts. Clandestine shops were cloaked in shadows, and the underground passages were perfect for trading the invaluable and obscene. The Marzena operated under its own set of rules, out of sight of Kralv Oldrich, who couldn’t care less about its existence, and so the foulest of beings made it their domain. Warlocks, demon summoners, and any soul with a penchant for the wicked and cruel took up residence with their illegal wares, striking unbreakable bargains, and demanding payment in blood.
Atlas took another deep inhale of his stig, considering his next words carefully. “If these immortals with rare magic aren’t just disappearing…if they’re being stolen for sinister reasons, then I guarantee you someone in the Marzena knows something.”
Veros nodded, rubbing his lips together. “Are you going to tell the Eldress and High Priestess of your plans?”
Atlas blew out a cloud of smoke and his shoulders fell. “My guess is they already have connections down there. If anything, we’re a step behind.”
“Damn.” Veros slid his timepiece from his pocket, and the golden runes spun and whirred. He snapped it shut and met Atlas’s gaze. “When do we go?”
“We?”
“No offense, Your Highness, but sometimes you’re a little too cocky for your own good.” The corner of Veros’s mouth twitched into what could almost be considered a smile. “You’ll need someone who knows how to negotiate and strike bargains…if necessary.”
The words hung in the air between them, and it was then Atlas realized exactly what Veros was saying.
“You’ve been there before.”
It was a statement of fact, not an accusation.
Veros nodded. “I have.”
“When?”
“A story for another time.” Veros nodded toward the door. If they didn’t leave soon, they would be late for the meeting with Valaina and Rozalie. He reached for the handle, then paused without looking back. “She’ll come around, you know.”
Everinne.
“Maybe.” Atlas rolled his stig between his fingers, the ember almost snuffed out. “She seems pretty adamant on denying the bond.”
Veros turned and placed one hand on Atlas’s shoulder. His face was solemn and his eyes piercing as he said, “I will only tell you this once, Atlas. Because you are my friend. And because she is my sister.”
He drew in a steadying breath. “Everinne never does anything without a reason. She may be brash in her thoughts and make hasty decisions, but it isalwaysfor a reason. Trust me, her agreeing to marry you and then denying the bond between you both was not done without a purpose.”
It wasn’t exactly helpful, but it wasn’t horrible advice either.
Everinne wanted to marry him for areason.
She’d denied their mating bond for areason.
All Atlas had to do was figure out why.
Unfortunately for him, nothing involving Everinne was ever easy.
