“Frankly, who cares? The kid’s parents are the ones who signed the do not resuscitate order. At least with
Though her arm stayed steady, the uncontrolled electricity actually faltered as Devon spoke.
“Kid’s terminal,” Devon said as blunt as a wall. “But since you care so much, I can tell you exactly where I got him. Take him back to his death-bed. Maybe stick around and watch him die if you’re not as cowardly as you look.”
Eva could
“Or leave me alone. The kid has a chance at living. I’ll take care of him after Eva’s treatment. She’s almost late as it is.”
“Damn you,” Zoe hissed. With almost palpable resignation, she let her dagger drop to her side.
Eva waited just a moment to ensure there wouldn’t be any outbursts from Zoe. She spoke with some hesitance after letting the silence linger for an extra minute. “There is still a week before the end of February. We have time. Shouldn’t you get him, ah, stable?”
“He’ll live a couple of hours, at least. Maybe even a day or two.” He turned a glare on Eva. “Of course,” he half growled, “if you hustled, we’d have all the more time.”
Eva didn’t pause to nod an acknowledgment. She headed straight for Arachne’s door.
Time to clear out the common room and set up the chairs.
Distant Visions
Nel paced in front of the door that led out of Ylva’s domain. The last time she left the domain, a series of bad things happened. Mostly to her.
But this time was different. Right? Lady Ylva had threatened the Elysium Order, so they shouldn’t come after her. Eva had her blood wards up around the entire prison, so no one should be able to teleport in and kidnap her.
And if someone started unraveling the wards, Nel was going to sprint at full speed for Ylva’s domain, sky cracking or not.
Nel stopped pacing and let out a long sigh.
What was the Elysium Order’s reaction to Nel and Ylva? Would they actually leave well enough alone, or would they redouble their efforts?
Not for the first time, Nel wished she hadn’t spent so much effort in avoiding Sister Cross while she was a prisoner. The nun had to have at least a few answers.
Nel would have asked Lady Ylva to accompany her had she been around. Unfortunately, she was once again missing. Along with Alicia.
That was another point of concern for Nel. The idea that she could be replaced was absolutely terrifying. She didn’t think it would come to that–Alicia lacked the augur abilities and the potential to become an augur–but the fact remained that Nel was being left behind from whatever activities they were up to.
Maybe she had offended Ylva by being captured. A servant of the regal Lady Ylva should be better than that. Her lady had been forced to act for the first time–at least since Nel took refuge within her domain.
Though that wasn’t actually true. It was Sawyer who made her move to the professor’s house and Sawyer again who sent monsters to attack the school that Ylva had decided to defend. But all of that was reactionary–they came to her. Ylva hadn’t taken an active hand in seeking out enemies until…
Nel frowned.
Though it was part of the same operation, and the Elysium Order’s inquisitors running around inside the hotel would have complicated matters, Ylva hadn’t rescued Nel. That had been Arachne along with the school professors.
Nel clutched her forehead, gritting her teeth.
“No, I’m not,” Nel said as she shook the paranoia away. Even if she
She could still prove to Lady Ylva that she was worth something. That she shouldn’t be thrown out on the streets.
Or worse.
Nel threw open the door to Ylva’s domain and marched out. She tried to keep her head held high in a confident pose.
Within ten steps her head was on a swivel as she searched and glimpsed for any sign of an attack. She didn’t glimpse very far, very often, or for very long. Being exhausted and full of all the headaches had led to her capture more than anything else, in all likelihood. But it was enough that she might have some early warning if anything happened.
Just before opening the door to the women’s ward, Nel glimpsed inside.
Her hand froze on the handle.
The professor stood off to one side, well away from a ritual circle on the floor. Her face looked like she had just finished sucking on an extremely angry lemon. One of her feet tapped against the floor with fervor rivaling a nervous rabbit.
Most of her anger appeared to be directed at Devon. The man stood in a state of undress within the circle.
In front of him sat both Eva and Arachne. Both were hooked up to one another with small tubes.
