A Shadow in the Ember (Flesh and Fire 1)

“You’d think. That’s a good question I would’ve loved to have answered.” Nyktos sent a pointed stare at Ector, who studied the floor as if it were of great interest. Nyktos shifted his focus back to me. “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked, and I nodded. He still came back to where I was sitting. “Let me see your neck again.”

I sat still as his fingers brushed my hair back, grazing my shoulder, desperately trying not to think about how he’d touched me before—how he’d held me. His gaze lifted to mine, and when he spoke, I thought his voice sounded thicker, richer. “I don’t think it will bruise.”

“Are you reading my emotions again?”

He said nothing as he let go of my hair, his fingers brushing my cheek—his warm fingers.

“Oh, my gods.” I shot up.

Nyktos eyed the broken leg I held as if he were half-afraid I’d use it against him, which was absurd enough that it actually made me want to use it. “What?”

“Your skin. It’s warm,” I told him, having forgotten that until now. “It’s been warm since last night, after you…” I trailed off as Ector looked over at us, his expression curious. “Well, since last night. Is it because you fed?”

Nyktos frowned. “No. That wouldn’t have changed it. My skin has been cool for as long as I can remember. Kolis’s skin most likely felt the same way.”

“Well, it’s not that way now,” I told him. “Can’t you tell?” When he shook his head, I looked over at the two remaining gods. “Haven’t any of you noticed it?”

Saion coughed out a laugh. “Why would we?”

“It’s pretty noticeable.”

“If one of us is touching him,” Ector returned. “And none of us walk around touching him. He doesn’t like to be touched.”

I lifted my brows and looked over at Nyktos. “I didn’t get that impression.”

“Yeah, well, he enjoys your kind of touching,” Ector stated. Shockingly, I felt my face heat.

Nyktos turned to the god. “Do you have a death wish today?” he growled, and I began to wonder the same thing.

“I’m beginning to think I do,” Ector murmured and then shifted the bundle of towels. “But let me touch you. See if she’s telling the truth.”

I rolled my eyes. “Why would I lie about that?”

“Why would we not question everything that comes out of your mouth now?” Nyktos shot back.

A hundred different retorts burned my tongue, but every part of me locked up as I stood there. His accusation was warranted, but the coldness in his tone reminded me so much of my mother that it rattled me to my core.

Ector moved toward Nyktos as the Primal stared at me, his features unreadable. Forcing myself to remember Sir Holland’s breathing instructions, I focused on Ector.

The god touched Nyktos’ hand. Immediately, Ector’s eyes went wide. “Holy shit, your skin is warm.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.” Nyktos was still staring at me. I could feel it. “It…it has to be your blood.”

“If it is, it’s not like I did it on purpose.”

“I wasn’t suggesting that.”

“Are you sure—?” I sucked in a stuttered breath, dropping the wooden leg as a sharp ache darted across my skull and along my jaw, leaving a webbing of shivery pain in its wake.

Nyktos stepped toward me. “Are you all right?”

“Yes,” I bit out, pressing a palm against the side of my face. I squinted at the suddenly too-bright lights.

“Does your head hurt?”

“Or your face?” Ector asked.

“A little.” I drew in a shallow breath as the throbbing ache settled deep in my temple and under my eyes. “It’s just a…a headache. I’m fine. Shouldn’t we be heading into—whoa,” I murmured, blinking as the floor felt like it rolled slightly under my feet. “That felt odd.”

Nyktos was suddenly beside me. He clasped my arm, and I barely felt the jolt of his touch. “What did?”

“The floor,” I said, and his frown deepened.

“Are you dizzy?” Nyktos asked, and I started to nod, realizing that was rather dumb as the pain deepened. “I took too much of your blood—”

“It’s not that,” I told him. “I’ve had these headaches before—sometimes in my temples and under my eyes. Other times in my jaw.”

His brows snapped down. “How often have you gotten them?”

“On and off. Only this…this intense once before. I think there may be something wrong with one of my teeth. There’s been a bit of blood when I brush,” I told him.

Ector lowered the towels and stared at me. “When did that start?”

“The blood?” I winced.

“Any of it,” Nyktos demanded.

“I don’t know. A couple of years ago. It’s not…it’s not a big deal. My mother gets them sometimes, too. The headaches. So maybe it’s just that.”

Nyktos’ features were strangely stark as he stared down at me, too. “I’m not so sure that is the cause.”

“Then what would it be?” I asked.