Page 112 of Reaper's Quest

Chace was a work associate, and Winter… He could be nothing more than a temporary acquaintance.

“Nothing is going to happen between us,” I said.

“Maybe. Maybe not. Remains to be seen,” he said with a slight shrug.

Suppressing a sigh, I tried not to think about the last time I’d gotten frisky with a guy, much less intimate. Clearly too long ago. Was loneliness creeping in? Some fact about my internal needs I didn’t want to acknowledge?

I was perfectly content with my current relationship status…or lack thereof. I would not succumb to Winter’s flirtations, and I would stop thinking about Chace’s eyes, his lips…his irritating manner.

I would repeat that message to myself as many times as necessary. Until I believed the words and sentiment wholeheartedly.

When we reached the pub, Aoes stood behind the bar, and several patrons took up space at tables throughout the room. My footsteps floundered. I’d never seen the pub so busy.

Realization bloomed, and a whispered curse slipped free.

The afflicted woman I had somehow healed and the man who had stayed at her side… They hadn’t held their tongues as requested. Were the people in the pub awaiting a miracle?

I regained my composure and moved deeper into the establishment. At our entrance, Aoes spared Winter a quick wave but didn’t appear to take notice of me. I supposed, with the hood of my cloak covering my hair and showing up in Camilla’s attire, I sort of moved through the citadel in costume. Incognito.

I strode directly toward the stairs, but before I could startthe climb, Winter grabbed my arm and pulled me to a stop. I glared at him. When had he become so invested in my state of wellbeing?

“I’ll be back down in a few,” I said. “I just want to freshen up properly and change into something that feels more like me.”

He scanned the stairs and the room at our backs as if searching for threats. “I’ll go with you. Make sure you can handle the stairs.”

Does he know something he isn’t sharing?

“I’ll be fine.” I placed my hand over his grip and peeled it free. “I’ll only be a few minutes at most. If I’m not back in a reasonable amount of time, I give you permission to come looking for me.”

Winter’s expression suggested he didn’t support my choice but held his place as I walked away. Halfway up the stairs, I glanced back. Tired as I felt, I had successfully climbed the majority of the way to the second floor without incident.

“See, I’m fine.”

Winter hummed, the sound noncommittal.

“Go talk to Aoes,” I said.

“All right. You win.” He huffed and turned to make his way to the bar.

I climbed the remainder of the stairs and reached my room. I took care of a few personal needs, changed, then stopped at Aldine’s room. My knocks went unanswered. I tried the handle, but the door was locked, and no light bled through the surrounding crevices. Hopefully, the lack of an answer meant Aldinewastruly healed, and the silence didn’t signal something far more troublesome.

I turned away and?—

The Killian stood in my path.

I jumped back with a yelp.

He vanished, leaving the hallway clear.

Had I imagined him? Had I ever really seen him?

I rubbed my face. The Killian had not followed me to the pub. I told myself this several times and then checked the rest of the upper level for my teammates.

I couldn’t find either one. Chace’s room sat as dark and locked as Aldine’s. The two were likely out working some part of the citadel. Or, if Winter had truly kept my situation a secret, they could be searching for me.

I turned from Chace’s room and froze. A presence, clear and cold, lingered at my back. A slight glance and I swore I saw the Killian again. Only when I spun around, the hallway remained empty.

Maybe I needed more sleep.