Page 137 of Death of the Glass Angel
Kahn ripped from his captor’s grip and brushed himself off. “No.” He breathed. “The matter is settled. I withdraw. And apologize.”
Talon observed Heras’ quiet confidence and cursed. “Shit.”
“I don’t understand,” Des murmured into Talon’s neck. “It sounds like there was no room for doubt.”
“There wasn’t,” Talon said. “I caught a glimpse of it.”
Felsin shoved through the crowd to join his mother, while Avalon plowed through the throng to reach Talon. “Shadows.” She cursed. “You’re covered in blood. What happened?”
“The assassins struck again,” Talon said through gritted teeth. “But this time, we took a captive.”
* * *
Talon laid Des’ arm across his lap as he gently bound her wound. His touch was delicate, and each wrap of the gauze sent shivers up her arm.
The mountain pass was frigid, but still warmer than the tomb’s frozen halls. A fire crackled beside them, warding off the chill.
“Good throw.” Talon commended
“It was easy enough.” Des lied, staring at the Forebear’s Monolith. Its heavy stone doors remained closed, for now.
Any minute now, the doors would open, Heras would be clapped in irons, and they could finally learn what her motive was.
Talon chuckled. “Would it kill you to learn some humility?” He brushed a thumb across her palm, and she shivered again.
He noticed.
Smiling coyly at her, he continued wrapping her wound.
“Yes,” Des admitted. “It would kill me.”
“You know what they say about pride.” Talon teased. “Janus is willing to share her secrets with a stranger, but you bottle everything up. How does that make sense?”
“You ask as if I understand myself.” Des glared at him. “You’re one to talk. Or are you willing to share your secrets now?”
“Never.” He paused, watching her arm tremble and twitch as she fidgeted. “Sit still.”
“I can’t. I’m too. . .” Des trailed off. Anxious? Furious? She couldn’t find the word.
“This laceration runs deep. It needs proper binding.” Talon eyed her sharply. “Sit still.”
Taking a deep breath, Des closed her eyes and relaxed, forcing her knees together and unfurling her fingers. The trembling gradually ceased.
“Good girl.” Talon resumed his work.
Eyes flashing open, Des met a coy, playful gaze. “Say that to me again.” She breathed. “And see what happens.”
“Tempting. I’ll be sure to praise you next I get a chance.” Talon winked.
A heavy thud roared across the pass as the Monolith’s doors scraped open and Gemellus flew out. Des could tell by his angry gait and the way his tailcoat violently whipped behind him that he did not herald good news.
Talon finished binding the gauze, but his hand lingered on hers. “What happened?”
“The spirits have spoken,” Gemellus said mockingly. “Heras is innocent. It is to Castelmar their gazes now fall.”
“Whose charged with interrogating him?” Des asked.
“Kahn. Though I get the impression Avalon intends to have a go at him, too.”
