Page 85 of Feral

Liam pulled away and wiped his eyes.

“Don’t tell the others,” he whispered. “Let the handfastin’ and all that work out first, and then I’ll tell Angus.”

“Alright, I’ll keep it.”

“Thank ya.”

He wiped his snout and straightened his shoulders, once again gripping his cane and thumping it on the floor.

“Now, Ruben stole this artifact, what does that mean?” his voice hitched just a little when he asked. “Will the archive come here?”

I wanted to tell him no, that he’d never have to see anyone from there ever again, but I wouldn’t lie to Liam.

“I don’t ken. If we could tell them where Ruben stashed the bloody thing, maybe not.”

Liam frowned.

“I assume artifacts are addictive.”

“From what Daphne tells me, aye.”

“He’s been spendin’ a lot of time at his family’s cottage. I think that’s where he’d likely hide it.”

I nodded.

“Aye, he hates that place so he wouldn’t be there just for the sentimentality of it.”

“So what’s next? If he’s got this thing, then we need to take it back right? Prove that we’re not involved?”

“Naw, at least I didn’t think so. If this other group is keeping an eye on us, then bringin’ the artifact here just puts a target on us.”

“But if the Archive knew about it, maybe they’d raid the cottage, save us the trouble.”

And keep Daphne safe.

“Aye, that’s a good idea. I’ll tell Daphne everythin’ and see if she can get a team here. Thank ya, Liam.”

I was at the door when Liam stopped me.

“I see the way she looks at ya,” he said. “She cares for ya.”

My heart lurched against my ribs. I wanted to believe that it was enough, that she would accept me as I am. But fear was a terrible mistress, and I couldn’t let it go.

“It’s just the bite, ya know what it does to Mundanes.”

“Naw, Fraser, I don’t think it is. Give yerself a chance to be happy. Ask her what she wants, trust her answers.”

“Ya only just met her, how can ya tell me to trust her?”

Liam shrugged.

“Instinct.”

I snorted and walked out before Liam could chip away at my resolve any further.

Chapter Eighteen

Daphne

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