“Run,” I say, voice high-pitched and broken. “The Nephilim, he’s coming.”
"Nephilim?" Aiden says. His voice comes to me now, and I realize I can't hear the Nephilim's wings beating any longer. "There's nothing there, Briar."
I glance up worriedly, twisting in Aiden's arms to get a complete view of the night and the roofs. But he's right. The rooftops are empty, and there is no dark figure hidden in the low-lying clouds. "I saw him," I whisper. "He was here."
“Where?” Aiden lowers his chin, meeting my gaze evenly. His large hands run up and down my shoulders soothingly.
“Just down there.” I turn and point to the streets. “He must have run when he saw you.”
“Or you just frightened yourself,” Aiden says calmly. “You’ve been through a lot tonight.”
“No,” I snap fiercely, surprising myself with the force of my voice. “I saw it.”
"Saw what?" Kane asks as he slips out of the alley. His eyes dart between Aiden and me, flickering with darkness.
I step out of Aiden’s arms, but he doesn’t let me go far. “I saw the Nephilim,” I explain. “He was chasing me.”
“Are you sure?” Kane narrows his eyes, focusing.
“She frightened herself, it was probably just an owl,” Aiden says with a patronizing smile.
I frown, narrowing my eyes. “It wasn’t.”
Aiden wraps his hand around my forearm as if to comfort me, but he squeezes too tight. My lips part with a silent whimper. "It was probably just her imagination. Finding it on the first night? That seems unlikely," Aiden says, bruising me.
Kane watches emotionlessly, oblivious to my pain. He meets my gaze and I clamp my lips shut. I know what Aiden wants from me. “Is that right, Briar?”
“Yes,” I lie, nodding sharply to hide a pained grimace. “I must have scared myself.”
“In that case,” Kane says, turning away. “We should return to the inn and get some rest.”
“Great idea, Fearless Leader.” Aiden releases me and salutes Kane mockingly. He ushers me towards Kane’s side and slings an arm over my shoulder as if he didn’t just silently threaten me. “I think it might be best to keep you two apart.”
“Why?” Kane cocks a brow.
"We need our most powerful player, alert and focused." Aiden leers at Kane and me. "We can't have you staying up all night with your lovely bride."
Kane scoffs, lip curling. “What an amusing idea. I can assure you there’s nothing to worry about.”
My heart winces at his words. For him, perhaps, there would be nothing distracting about spending the night with me. But for me, I know my thoughts would constantly be stuck between my heartsick fantasies and my plot to kill him. Nevertheless, I don’t want to give up a night with Kane. “We both know the traditions,” I say quietly, cheeks pink.
"Ah yes, that two betrothed will keep themselves pure for the three months before their wedding?" Aiden snorts. "When has anyone ever followed that tradition?"
“Drop it, Aiden,” Kane says, looking at his brother coldly.
"Trust me, you'll be grateful in the morning that I kept you two apart," Aiden assures us. He tugs me in a little tighter and my eyes dart toward the indifferent Kane. "Briar can stay with me, and Willem can room with you."
Fear of being alone with Aiden for more than a few minutes lances through me and Kane purses his lips unhappily. “No.”
“Kane,” Aiden murmurs. “You don’t want to hurt her, do you?”
My brows pinch with concern, and I look questioningly at Kane. He stiffens at Aiden's question and turns a black glare on him. "You don't know what you're talking about," he says. His voice is dangerously, quiet and gentle.
“Don’t I?” Aiden cocks a brow and smiles.
I bite the inside of my cheek, questions swirling through my mind. What does Aiden mean? And why does it bother Kane so much? I look up in time to see Kane staring at me. His gaze darts away when I notice it and he squares his shoulders irritably. “Fine,” he snaps. “But another word about this and I’ll make you mute for the length of our investigation.”
“Good choice,” Aiden crows as we reach the Diamond.
Willem, who was silent during our walk back, flashes me a cruel smile. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy your evening.”
I keep silent as we trudge up the stairs, ignoring the dwindling crowd in the lounge. Willem goes into my room – Kane's room –, and I see his wings appear on his back. Kane lingers in the doorway, his eyes meeting mine once more. My lips part in confusion and I take a step towards him. I want to ask him about what Aiden meant about hurting me. I want to ask him why he would leave me alone with his brother when surely he must know that I don't want it. But Kane closes the door in my face.
“Come on, don’t dawdle,” Aiden snaps from the door to my new room.
My heart clenches painfully in my chest as I envision a night with Aiden. Bile rises in my throat from the fear, and I press a hand to my stomach, trying to calm myself. I take one last look at Kane's doorway before Aiden locks me in.
“Alright, little mortal,” Aiden says from a chair by the window. “Let’s talk.”
Chapter 11
Kane
I listen to Briar’s heartbeat, counting the rhythm. Absentmindedly, I scratch at the fabric on the armrest of the chair I’m lounging in. Willem has left for the night, he wanted to stretch his wings. I saw him bring the soul he captured, and I suspect he’s bringing it to another Reaper to ferry to the Underworld. Willem is peculiar like that – orderly. Briar’s heartbeat accelerates, pulling me from my thoughts. I sit forward, eyes narrowed at the door as if I can see her through it.
For hours, I’ve left the bond open. I don’t trust Aiden with her. I only wish I hadn’t been such a fool to ever leave a weakness for my
