Page 195 of Lady of Ashes

“It does appear to be deserted,” Sorin replied, looking over the villa below.

“No other word from Rayner?” she asked.

Sorin shook his head. “Nothing from your people?”

“There has been no sign of her since we started actively looking,” Luan answered grimly.

“Do we really have no idea when the Contessa was last seen?” Cyrus asked.

“She’s so damn secretive. It’s not uncommon to not hear from her for a decade or more.”

“Valid point,” Sorin conceded.

“What are they doing?” Talwyn asked, and Sorin followed her gaze to the Wraiths, who were striding down the hill, leaving their horses, and the rest of them, behind.

Because of course they were.

Scarlett, Sorin growled down the bond.

I’m tired, Sorin. And hungry. Let’s get this over with.

“For fuck’s sake,” he muttered.

“She’s not stopping, is she?” Cyrus asked as Sorin began following the three females ahead of them.

“No, she is not,” he sighed, grabbing another horse to lead along with his own.

“She is going to get us all killed one day,” Luan grumbled.

“Not likely. She will pull some plan out of her ass and end up saving the godsdamn day,” Cyrus said.

Sorin glanced side-long at Talwyn. She’d been noticeably quiet. She wasn’t one to chatter, but she also wasn’t one to sit back and let others take the lead like she had all day. A silent Talwyn was almost more harrowing than the three females stalking down the hill.

Almost.

The Wraiths reached the gates, which were clearly locked. No one came to greet them. No one moved anywhere beyond them. Then all the Fae paused as they watched them move to the wall, hands trailing along stones.

“What are they—” Cyrus started, but stopped when they seemed to ?nd what they were looking for.

And all three of them scaled that wall like godsdamned cats, disappearing over the top into the darkening shadows of night.

“Fuck,” Sorin grunted, breaking into a run. He’d thought they’d at least wait for them when they found the gates locked. In hindsight, he had no idea why he’d assumed such a thing.

“How did they climb this?” Luan asked when they all reached the wall, examining the spot where they had climbed. He ran his hand along the smooth stones. “There is nothing to use for purchase here.”

“You are aware the Contessa does not take kindly to trespassers, are you not?” came a smooth voice from behind them. The Fae all stilled, slowly turning to face the Night Child standing behind them.

He had dark blond hair that curled around his ears. His blue eyes were bright, even in the growing darkness, and his pale skin re?ected the little light left. His hands were in the pockets of his tailored pants, his head tilted slightly to the side as he surveyed them. A dangerous, pointed smile was on his lips.

Auberon Isra.

The Contessa’s Second.

She had no one else. No one else was needed.

“Auberon,” Luan said casually, stepping in front of Talwyn. “We have been trying to reach the Contessa for quite some time now.”

“And so you have sent …” He glanced at the wall as though he could see who had scaled it to the other side. “The Wraiths of Death to ?nd her? Have they turned from assassins to bounty hunters?”

---