Page 135 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

Hopper nodded and left the room.

I couldn’t look at Caiden or Tharan, so I focused on Amolie.

“So, what’s the plan?” Amolie said, dipping her crusty bread into her stew.

My eyes fell to the floor. “For once, I have nothing. Baylis will need to be sedated for the long-term…”

Underneath the table, Tharan placed a reassuring hand on my knee.

“Is there a chance Erissa still has the amulet?” Amolie asked.

“I think I can be of help in that regard,” Caiden said, pulling something gold from his pocket. Laying the amulet on the table, its weightthunkedagainst the hardwood.

The knot in my chest unbound. “Where… how?”

Caiden shrugged. “I saw her dangling it in front of your face when you were strapped to the table and figured it must be important.”He slid the amulet across the table. “So, when I stabbed Erissa, I grabbed it.”

I held the amulet to my chest. “Thank you, Caiden. You do not know what this means to me.”

He nodded like the soldier he was. “Glad I could be of service.”

Amolie’s eyes darted between us. “Well, we better go try to wake the sleeping beauty up, don’t you think?” She pushed her chair back from the table with a screech.

I followed suit, and we headed to Baylis’s chamber together, leaving the men on their own.

Once we were out of earshot, Amolie said, “Well, that was awkward.”

I gave her a knowing glance. “You’re telling me.”

“So, who are you going to choose?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Amolie pulled her dark curls back into a bun. “You and Caiden have a long history together.”

“One filled with heartache and regret,” I said, placing my hand on the door to Baylis’s chamber. “Let’s get Baylis back, and then we can focus on the mess that is my love life.”

Amolie shook her head, a grin lighting her face. “Life is never dull being your friend.”

Baylis lay perfectly still in her extended slumber.

I held my breath as Amolie pulled the blood from her veins.

The amulet weighed heavy in my outstretched hand. The rune engraved on the stone glowed as Amolie brought the blood nearer.

“Well, this is either a grand sign or a terrible one,” she said, tapping her finger on the needle.

The amulet absorbed the drop.

Amolie and I exchanged hesitant looks. I took Baylis’s hand in mine, praying to Ammena, one last time.

Baylis shook.

“Quickly, put something in her mouth so she does not bite off her tongue,” Amolie cried as we tried to pin Baylis down.

Baylis’s frigid, gray eyes remained open as if she were witnessing some dreadful spectacle only visible to her. Her body convulsed, and then, there was stillness. Once more, she lay motionless, her eyes closed as if in slumber.

Slamming my fist onto the side table, I let out a primal scream. “Damn you, Erissa. Damn, you, Trinity. I swear, I will have my vengeance on all of you.”

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