Page 116 of Death of the Glass Angel
“I don’t disagree.” Gemellus shrugged. “The clan system is ridiculous. Do you know how long it takes to make a new law?”
“Yes, but thespiritscommanded it to be this way.” Des rolled her eyes.
“Careful,” Talon warned. “Felsin will take offense.”
Gemellus played with a ringlet of his hair. “No matter how ridiculous you might find it, never disregard another’s beliefs. The truths of today are often built on lies upheld as fact. Secrets hide in the ways of old, long forgotten.”
Des dipped her head, taking his words to heart. Talon wrinkled his nose, deciding if a hidden message lay in the words.
The carriage halted. A few voices murmured outside, and a knock came at their door before it swung open. Felsin stepped inside, his red scarf catching in the door the first time he slammed it. He cursed underhis breath and tugged the fabric free before sitting beside Des, smooshing her between him and Talon.
She narrowed her eyes. “What areyoudoing here?”
“Mind if I ride with you?” Felsin asked chipperly.
“No.”
“Good.” He set Sors on the bench beside him and wrapped his arms around himself.
Gemellus waved a hand over the empty bench beside him. “I don’t bite. Usually.”
“Alfaris said to be wary of you,” Felsin said guardedly.
A wicked smile crossed Gemellus’ lips. “Good advice.”
Talon glowered at the fortune teller. “Any particular reason you’ve decided to join us?”
“Any particular reason you two are being icy?” Felsin turned his head away. “I needed to get away from my family. We’ve been arguing all morning.”
“What about?” Des asked.
Felsin sighed heavily. “About the evoker. There’s a single memory of him in the maevruthan, nothing more. Mother insists they barely knew one another.”
“Unless the other memories of him were removed,” Des murmured.
“But that’s. . .
“Impossible.” Talon agreed. “I don’t think it’s ever been done—stealing memories from a maevruthan.”
“It hasn’t,” Gemellus confirmed.
“And your brother?” Des pressed.
“Brand’s been quiet.” Felsin’s lids shadowed his eyes. “Just watching.”
Sors knitted his claws through the leather seats, stretching his back. He paced across the back of their seats, rubbing fur through Talon’s hair.
Felsin watched the cat fondly. “Des. Do you have the diagram from the ruins?”
“No. Why would I carry that around with me?”
Gemellus flicked a wrist, evoking a perfect replica of the diagram. “This?”
“Yes.” Felsin grabbed it and flicked a finger on it. “I realized something. Let me see your arm.”
Reluctant, Talon hesitated before offering Felsin his arm. The other cefra took his hand gently, pushing up his coat sleeve to examine the wound wrapped behind gauze.
Des leaned forward. “Ah. The armor in the schematics covers every inch of skin.”
