Her jaw slackened a bit. And frankly, the words shocked me as well. This urge to protect…I’d never felt it before, but it was real. It hung from me like an ill-fitting coat, but one that felt somehow natural.
“If you think you’re going to die, why not bring the shifters with us?”
“As I said, highly unlikely. Paranoia is suffocating. But being prepared is the only way to make it in this world.”
“True enough.” She started walking again, and I joined her. “Where is this place?”
“Two towers over. Not far.”
We walked in silence, but I found myself itching to ask about her. What was her life like on the outside? Who was she?
This strange curiosity was unsettling.
Fortunately, there was more than enough to distract me on the streets of Guild City. The streets between my tower and that of the Sorcerers’ Guild were a party zone, and the bars were busy. We passed drunken supernaturals of all kinds, and I could feel her interest.
“Have you not met many supernaturals before?” I asked, unable to help myself.
“No. Not until the murder.”
“What do you mean?”
“I didn’t know this world existed.”
“But you’re part of it.”
“On the outskirts, at best.” She sounded wistful, and I wanted to fix whatever made her feel left out.
What the hell was happening to me?
“How is that possible?” I asked.
“None of your business.”
Maybe, but I wanted to know more about her. I wanted to know everything about her. I craved the information like I’d once craved blood. Like I craved her blood.
I was going insane.
Fortunately, we’d arrived at the Sorcerers’ Guild. It provided a welcome distraction.
The tower was taller than any other guild tower, a monstrosity of dark gray granite that speared the night sky and dwarfed the towers around it. Only the clock tower was larger, and it was on the other side of town.
“Creepy.” Carrow started toward the front door, an enormous black thing studded with iron.
I reached for her, then clenched my hand into a fist, drawing it back. I couldn’t touch her. If I did, I might not stop.
“Not that way.” My voice was rusty.
She turned, brows raised. “That’s the door.”
“Precisely. We can’t enter that way. Come.” I turned and walked toward the city wall to the left of the tower, heading for a set of stairs secreted in the stone. I pressed my hand against a rough surface, and a section of the wall slid away, revealing the hidden steps.
I ascended quickly, and she followed. Despite her light footsteps, it was impossible not to be aware of her.
The top of the wall was empty at this hour, and I turned left toward the tower soaring upward. The stone was dark and smooth, rising high into the sky.
“So, this place is full of sorcerers?” Carrow asked.
“Yes. They specialize in spells.”