A Shadow in the Ember (Flesh and Fire 1)

At that moment, I honestly didn’t care if the entire Shadowlands Court saw. I let go of the towel, and then the warm, soft weight of the blanket settled over my shoulders. I curled my fingers into the edges with one hand because I wasn’t exactly ready to part with the only weapon I had.

“I wish I had my dagger,” I murmured to no one in particular.

Everyone, including Nyktos, looked at me as if I’d possibly suffered some injury to the head. I sighed.

“How did he even get in here?” Rhain turned to the doors, stalking back to them. He checked them over. “There appears to be no forced entry.”

“I left the doors unlocked.” I briefly closed my eyes. “I thought someone would be guarding it.”

“Same,” Rhain murmured, looking over his shoulder at Nyktos.

I stared at the Primal, equally confused. Had he not made sure someone was outside to ensure I didn’t do anything?

A muscle ticked in Nyktos’ jaw. “I hadn’t quite gotten to that part yet.”

“He’s had a busy morning,” Saion chimed in. “First, assuring you and the others clucking around him like mother hens that he was okay, and then he had to check on the damage to the Rise.”

I didn’t know what to think about him not making it a priority that I was a…a prisoner. “Was there damage to the Rise?”

“Minimal,” Nyktos answered.

“And were there more deaths?” I asked.

He looked back at me. For a moment, I didn’t think he’d answer. Or that maybe he would accuse me of not caring. “There were injuries, but none that should be fatal.”

Exhaling softly, I nodded. That was good news, at least. “So,” I drew the word out as I looked up at the Primal. “A man who was a complete stranger just tried to kill me.”

“Appears that way,” Nyktos agreed flatly, sweeping his thumb over my chin before seeming to catch himself. He dropped his hand and rose. Several moments passed. “Did he say anything?”

“Only that…that he was sorry and had to do it,” I told them.

“Why would he think he had to do that?” Rhain asked. “Hell, I never would have expected something like that from him.”

“Did you know him well?”

“Well enough to know that he was a quiet man and kept to himself. Kind and generous,” Rhain said. “And he hated Kolis as much as any of us.”

I zeroed in on that. “Did he live here long?”

Nyktos nodded. “He was a godling that never Ascended—didn’t have enough eather in him for the change to take hold, but his mother wanted to be a part of his life. She was a goddess.”

“Was?” I whispered.

“She was killed several years ago.” Nyktos didn’t elaborate.

And he didn’t need to. “Kolis?”

“He destroyed her soul,” Nyktos told me, and my chest hollowed. “I don’t even know what caused it. She was in a different Court at the time. It could’ve been anything—a perceived slight or a refusal to obey him. He made sure Hamid learned the details of her death.”

“Gods,” I whispered, sickened.

Saion glanced at me, his gaze straying to my throat—to the mark Nyktos left behind. I shifted the blanket higher. “Is it possible that he somehow found out what she plans to do?”

I stiffened.

“That’s impossible,” Rhain countered. “No one would dare speak of what she plans.”

“Planned,” I mumbled, but no one seemed to hear me.

“You know damn well that none of us would’ve disobeyed his orders. We wouldn’t want to piss him off.” Ector popped his head out of the bathing chamber. “And unlike me, Nyktos would think before destroying the soul so he could continue to fuck with us after we’re dead.”

But what would be the reason for a mortal I’ve never interacted with to feel as if they need to kill me? Then it occurred to me. “He came to visit Gemma. I guess during the attack or afterwards,” I said, and Nyktos turned to me. “Aios said that Gemma was only awake briefly. Not long enough to discover if she knew what had happened to her. Is it possible that she knows and said something to Hamid when Aios wasn’t there?”

“That’s possible,” Nyktos stated.

“Gemma is still here.” Ector brushed past Saion, holding a pile of towels in his arms. “She was asleep when I checked on her, and that was right before I met up with you all downstairs. So, that was…what? Less than thirty minutes ago?”

Nyktos turned to Rhain. “Find Aios and see if there was a time that Hamid was alone with Gemma. Have Aios stay with her, even if she is still asleep. Then I want you to check out Hamid’s house and the bakery he worked at. See if you can find out anything of interest.”

“Of course.” Rhain glanced at me, bowed, and then quickly left the room.

I was still thinking of what Gemma could’ve told Hamid. “But if Gemma realized that she died and I brought her back, why would that cause Hamid to try and kill me? He was concerned about Gemma. Wouldn’t he be happy that she’s alive?”