Page 68 of Darkness and Deceit
And through it all, the Keepers drift like ghosts. Not helping. Not healing. Just watching silently, like vultures waiting for something to die. I pass one on the stairs with his hood drawn low. He doesn’t move, doesn’t even blink, simply turns his head slightly to track me as I pass.
I don’t even spare him a glance.
Funny how fast they moved in.
While the rest of us were still bleeding, the Keepers claimed the old astronomy annex and threw up their sigils like it always belonged to them. Now the entire east wing hums with that magic, the kind that makes the hairs on your arms raise, and makes your skin itch. I’ve come to associate it with the Keepers.
When I reach the end of the corridor, I find two Protectors flanking the door to the astronomy annex, their expressions blank. Of course one of them is Vaughn’s brother, Kieran, I think. The other I don’t recognize. I meet their eyes and don’t break stride.
“I need to speak with Augustus,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm. Even. But not soft because I’m not asking.
Kieran tilts his head, clearly considering whether or not to deny me entry. I stare him down for so long, I swear my eye begins to twitch.
Finally, he steps aside when the door clicks open on its own.
Inside, the furniture is minimal. There’s a long table with old scrolls laid across its surface, shelves stacked with artifacts, and faintly glowing ward sigils pulsing along the walls.
Augustus glances up from where he’s seated near the center. Mara is with him, her posture perfect, robes flawless. She doesn’t look surprised to see me. But shedoeslook annoyed.
“Lilith,” Augustus says. He rises, tone cautious but not unkind. “This isn’t the right?—”
“No,” I cut in. “I’m not here for permission. I’m here for answers.”
Mara’s brow lifts, barely. “You presume much.”
“You hide more.”
The silence thickens like molasses.
I step further into the room, my boots echoing across the stone. “Kai is… barely hanging on,” I say. “Your people flinched when they saw him. You all knew what it was. And still you said nothing. You think I haven’t noticed the way they whisper when they think I’m not listening?”
Mara doesn’t speak. Augustus’ jaw tightens.
“I’m not asking for your power. I’m not asking for your blessing. I’m asking for the truth. Because I watched that flame crawl through him. I felt what it did. And your Keepers stood there like it wasn’t their problem. So either they didn’t know or they didn’t care. Which is it? If you know how to stop it—or even slow it—I need that knowledge.”
“You are not entitled to Keeper archives,” Mara says coolly.
“No,” I agree. “But I’m still a Protector. And Kai is my mate.”
That strikes something. Mara’s gaze sharpens.
“I’ve been marked since the day I got here,” I continue. “Questioned. Watched. And through all of it, I haven’t asked for anything. But I’m asking now.”
Augustus doesn’t look at Mara.
He looks at me.
“I will see what I can find,” he says, quiet but firm. “Give me until morning.”
It’s not enough. But it’s more than nothing.
“You’ve bought yourself a few hours. After that, if Kai slips further and you’re still sitting on your hands, I swear to the Balance you’ll regret it.”
And damn the fucking consequences. Kai would do it for me. Now it’s my turn.
Mara’s lips press into a thin line. But she doesn’t stop me when I pivot to leave.
Good.
