Page 108 of A Touch of Poison
Kat screaming.
Despite our pace and the blood pumping through every part of me, my body went cold.
She hadn’t screamed when she’d dangled over the waterfall; she’d only called for help.
As poison had worked through her system, dragging her to the floor, she hadn’t screamed. That had only come in its advanced stages. Her initial quiet had worried Asher, in fact. He’d thought her too far gone to save.
What was Elthea doing to her?
Fuck manners—I shoved folk out of the way as we crossed the grand hall. The bridge was a blur. I didn’t slow to greet the guards.
I just ran.
As we raced through the city, dozens of looks followed us. The Night Queen’s Shadow didn’t race headlong anywhere.
Shadows swarmed around my feet, like they could speed me along. Anything to get me there faster. If I was too late…
“Oathbreaker,” someone shouted, emboldened by my uncharacteristic display.
Lucky for them, I didn’t have time to stop.
We skidded around one corner after another, until we were finally on the Hall of Healing’s street, my heart ready to explode.
Folk fled from our path as I put on a burst of speed, every part of my soul’s attention fixed on the white marble columns.
At the top of its steps, a splash of red interrupted the hall’s pure white. Hugging the wall, Kat stumbled from the building.
I flew up the steps. “Katherine?”
She trembled, hunched over, not looking at me.
“Kat? What did she—?”
Then she looked up.
Pale, hair plastered to her forehead, blueish shadows beneath her eyes—I hadn’t seen her look this bad since she’d taken the changeling’s poison. She reeked of sweat and fear and rotten plants, though beneath that, the sweet scent of her magic seemed stronger.
What the fuck had Elthea done? My teeth ached as I clenched my jaw.
Rose caught up, gasping as she took in Kat’s state.
“Take her back to our rooms. Get Asher to look at her.” I held Kat out by her shoulders as she muttered something. “I’m going to have words with Elthea.” There wouldn’t just be words. I was going to end her.
I started into the Hall of Healing, but Kat’s gloved hand landed on my stomach. “I’m fine,” she whispered between heaving breaths. “She tried a cure. It didn’t work. That’s all.” Eyelids fluttering, her gaze sank, and she frowned as she rubbed her chest. Right on the edge of hearing, she murmured, “I think my heart stopped.” She swayed, and I caught her as she fell.
Every muscle vibrated with rage as I eased her into Rose’s arms. “Take her back to her room.”
Eyes wide, skin pale between her freckles, Rose nodded.
I charged inside.
I think someone tried to stop me, but my attention was fixed on the door to Elthea’s treatment room and nothing else could break it.
She was putting something in a small case inside the cabinet, glass clinking on glass.
I let my shadows go.
They streaked across the room and closed on her wrists. She let out a cry that I barely heard over the rush of blood in my ears. “You should’ve saved your favour to stop me tearing you apart.” I spat the words, every part of my face too tight to even attempt the appearance of calm. My blood didn’t just boil—it had evaporated, leaving me dry and sizzling like a pan about to burn.
