A Shadow in the Ember (Flesh and Fire 1)

“It’s Aios.”

Surprised, I stepped around the chaise. “You can come in.”

The door opened, and she wasn’t the only one who entered the chamber. Bele, who had been in the hall when Davina had arrived earlier, walked in, too. Apparently, she was on guard duty, and I wasn’t entirely sure if she was there to keep me safe or to keep others safe.

“I need you to come with me,” Aios announced.

I tensed, suspicion rising. “To where?”

“Should be nowhere.” Behind her, Bele stood with her arms crossed over her chest. My gaze snagged on her weapons—all far better than a paltry butter knife. “I told her Nyktos wanted you to remain in your chambers, but as always, Aios doesn’t listen.”

The redheaded goddess wasn’t listening now. “Gemma is awake.”

“Oh.” I glanced between the two. “That’s good news, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Aios answered while Bele shrugged.

“Did she say why she went into the woods?”

“She’d spotted a god who had been at the Court of Dalos and feared she’d be recognized. So she panicked, ran into the Dying Woods, quickly got lost in them, and then saw the Shades. She hid from them for a bit until they found her, but that’s not why I’m here,” Aios said. “She claims that she has no knowledge of what happened afterward—of what you did.”

“That’s also good…” I trailed off as Aios’s jaw hardened. “Or not?”

“I think she’s lying. I think she knows exactly what you did and said something to Hamid,” Aios explained. “I told her what Hamid had done, and she lost it, saying it was her fault. That’s why I’m here. I want you to tell her what you did.”

“In case anyone wants to know, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Bele announced.

“No one wants to know,” Aios replied. “I think if she is confronted with the fact that we know she died, she’ll tell us what she told Hamid.”

I wasn’t sure if that would work, but I was willing to try. It would be nice to have an answer to something. However… “You trust me to leave the bedchamber?”

Aios’s nose wrinkled. “What would you do that I should worry about? Are you planning something?”

“Else,” Bele added.

“I’m not,” I stated.

“And you have no weapon, correct?” Aios asked.

“No.” I really didn’t count my butter knife as a weapon.

“Then why wouldn’t I trust you?”

My brows lifted. “Besides the obvious?”

“My question exactly,” Bele added.

Aios sighed. “Look, it was clear—to me at least—that you didn’t want to do what you believed you had to. That doesn’t mean I agree with your actions or that I’m not disappointed. You seemed to make him…” Her chin lifted. “Anyway, it’s not like we don’t have explicit experience in carrying out terrible deeds because we believed we had no other choice.”

For a moment, I couldn’t speak. “Have you ever plotted to kill someone who offered nothing but kindness and safety?”

Aios’s stare met mine. “I have probably done worse. All of us have,” she stated flatly. “Now, will you come with me?”

I blinked. “Yeah—Yes.”

“Thank you.” Aios wheeled around, the skirt of her gray gown fluttering at her feet.

Tugging down the sleeves of my sweater, I followed her out into the hall, my thoughts consumed by what Aios could’ve done that was worse. What Bele could’ve done. Because she hadn’t disagreed with that statement. It wasn’t until we reached the second floor that I asked, “Where is Nyktos? And how much trouble will you two get in for letting me out of my bedchambers?”

“He’s in Lethe,” Bele answered as we walked the wide, quiet hall. “There was some kind of incident. Not sure what exactly. I don’t think it’s serious—” she said when I opened my mouth. “But I’m hoping he doesn’t find out about this little excursion.”

“I won’t say anything,” I told them.

“I’d hope not,” Bele remarked, stopping in front of a white door. She opened it without knocking, stalking in.

Aios shook her head at the startled gasp that came from within the small chamber. I followed Aios in, getting my first real look at Gemma.

Good gods…

She was sitting up in bed, hands in her lap, and her injuries…they were gone completely. No deep cuts along her forehead or cheeks. The skin of her neck was unmarred, and I would bet her chest appeared the same.

I never really got a chance to see what my touch did. Most animal wounds weren’t as noticeable, and I hadn’t seen the one that had ended Marisol’s life. This ember…gods, it was as miraculous as what my blood had done for Nyktos.

Walking forward as Bele closed the door behind me, I saw that Gemma’s hair, free of blood, was a light shade of blonde, only a few tones darker than mine. And I’d been right. She couldn’t be much older than me, if that. Which meant she had lasted in the Dalos Court longer than most because she hadn’t been in the Shadowlands that long.