Page 66 of Staff of Nightfall

“I suppose that’s why Nolan ran away as fast as he did.” She drew her knees up to her chest and stared at the fire.

Alfred’s right,Regulus thought with a stab of shame. Her shoulders hunched forward, her chin tucked behind her knees. Making herself small. A hollow look had settled behind her eyes.

“I barely saw it,” Regulus said. He willed her to look at him. “But you looked incredible.” She finally lifted her gaze to meet his. “You were incredible.”

She bit her lower lip. “I didn’t even realize... That seems like a waste of energy.”

“Anything that scares your enemy isn’t a waste,” Alfred said. “It’s a tactical advantage.”

“So is having a soldier who can’t die,” Drez said. The suspicion in his voice was impossible to miss. Regulus gave Dresden a look of warning, but Drez was focused on Adelaide. “I can’t be more thankful my best friend is alive. But what did you do to him, exactly?”

Chapter 26

Adelaide wrapped herarms around her legs, glancing back and forth between Dresden and Regulus. She didn’t like the accusation in Dresden’s tone. Regulus’ eyes widened, then his features hardened.

“We talked about this, Drez.”

“You say it’s not sorcery, I want to hear from her how she did it and what she did.” Dresden didn’t take his searching gaze off her for a moment.

The cooking rabbits sizzled, filling the air with savory aroma and making her stomach tighten. She was too tired and too hungry to argue.

“She saved you, and I’m grateful,” Dresden said. “But how? She was captured by the sorcerer, who could be controlling her—”

“She doesn’t have the mark, Drez!” Regulus sounded on edge.

“We don’t know how easy it is for a mage to become a sorcerer,” Dresden countered, challenge in his tone. “I won’t watch you be a slave all over again! I want proof—”

“I’m not a sorcerer.” Adelaide rested her forehead on her knees. “If I were, I wouldn’t have...” The memory of Kirven’s torture returned, and phantom pain slid over her body.

“Wouldn’t have what?” Dresden asked.

“Enough.” Father used his commanding officer voice, and Dresden’s mouth slammed shut. Father was no poet, but he had his own way with words. “She saved Regulus’ life. Why isn’t that enough for you?”

“Because the sorcerer saved his life a lot, too.” The agitation left Dresden’s voice, replaced by resignation. “For two years he tried to earn his freedom or break free in another way. Do you have any idea what it’s like for your friend to—” He shot a glance at Regulus. “The point is, I don’t want to see him suffer again.”

“I would never hurt Regulus.” She met Dresden’s eyes, hoping he would see the truth in hers. “Surely you know that.”

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