Page 224 of Halfblood Deceived

“So, any ideas about who’s trying to kill me?” Aella asked. Discussing her assassination attempt suddenly seemed much easier than examining her feelings too closely.

Aylana took the glass from Aella’s hand and placed it on the table by her bed. “Unfortunately, no. Sebastian, Andreas, and I have been trying to find a link between the werewolf who shot you and the witch who attacked you. But we have nothing to show for it. I’m sorry.”

Aella shook her head. “No reason to be sorry. Maybe they’ll make a mistake next time. That’s how cops usually catch the bad guys, right? They screw up at some point.”

Aylana gave Aella a horrified look. “A mistake could cost us your life, so fuck no. We won’t wait for them to make a mistake. We’ll do our best to find the motherfuckers before they get near you again.”

Sebastian booped Aella’s nose. “No more copaganda shows for you, Missy.”

Aella huffed. A jaw-cracking yawn overtook her. She covered her mouth with one hand. “Ugh. I don’t know how I can be so sleepy after being out for two days.”

“Gargoyles heal by sleeping,” Sebastian explained. “A friend of mine was in a coma for a week after sustaining life-threatening wounds. You woke up faster than we expected to be honest.”

Aella couldn’t help but be surprised when Sebastian mentioned his gargoyle friend so casually.

Aylana nodded. “Mari thinks you would have been in a coma for weeks if not for Zeydan’s blood.”

Aella tensed at the mention of Zeydan’s name. They were in for an awkward conversation.

“You truly shouldn’t worry so much about telling Zeydan,” Sebastian assured her.

Aella’s legs started to move on their own accord. She forced herself to stop because it made her side hurt. “Let’s hope you’re right.”

Sebastian ran a hand through his perfect hair. “I’m always right, darling.”

Aylana sighed and shook her head at Sebastian as she stood. “So cocky.” She gave Aella’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Take care of yourself.”

Aella smiled. “Thank you both for coming.”

“Our pleasure,” Sebastian said, moving in a blink to open the door.

Zeydan all but toppled inside the room, having to take a side step to stabilize himself.

Aella’s eyes went wide. Uh-oh.

“Dearest cousin, you have startled me!” Sebastian drawled with a positively wicked smile, placing a hand against his chest. “If I didn’t know you better, I’d say you were spying behind the door.”

Zeydan’s cheeks turned faintly pink, and his jade eyes narrowed. “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about, dearest cousin.”

Aella unhelpfully wanted to laugh. She also idly pondered jumping out the window.

Aylana bit her lip not to laugh but a snort came out anyway. “Zeydan would never.” She winked at Aella. “See ya later.”

“See ya,” Aella said, watching Aylana and Sebastian leave.

Zeydan approached her bedside, looking sheepish but amused.

Aella played with one of her cardigan’s buttons. “You were eavesdropping.”

Zeydan wrinkled his nose. “A little bit. I know I shouldn’t have, but curiosity got the best of me.”

Aella’s lips twitched. “I lost count of the many times I got in trouble because curiosity got the best of me, so I can hardly blame you.”

He nodded, green eyes questioning.

Aella fidgeted with the hem of her cardigan. “How much did you hear?”

“Enough to know Reese has excellent taste in females,” he answered.

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