Page 15 of The Call of Crimson
“This wasn’t my first choice,” I grunt. “Luella took one look at the bruises from you and Ayden and shoved me right out the door.”
Elijah laughs, a full-bodied sound that fills the room. “I knew Luella didn’t tolerate violence, but damn. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her kick someone out for having a black eye. Serves you right for being such an ass lately.”
“Probably,” I shrug, not bothering to deny it. “But what brings you out here?”
“Cillian and I go back. Sometimes I pay him a visit to make sure I stay on his good side.”
“He’s notthatintimidating,” I scoff.
“Don’t let him hear you say that,” Elijah says, taking another swig. Wiping extra liquid off his lips, he asks, “Do you remember that trick Breyla used to pull on you?”
“Which one?” I raise a brow.
“The one where she would create a shadow blindfold and make you walk into walls.”
I groan. “Ah, yes. Such a neattrick. My nose is still crooked from the worst of those encounters.”
Elijah grins. “Who do you think taught her that?”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Cillian has shadows?”
“Not exactly. He possesses a Madilim Gift, yes. But not shadows. He’s got at least one other Gift, but the bastard never would tell me what it was.”
“He can bend light?”
Elijah nods. “He’s incredibly skilled. He can make himself damn near invisible, even in broad daylight. I’ve seen him slaughter three men in under a minute, completely undetected. So yes, heisthat intimidating.”
“Fair enough. I’ll do my best to stay out of his path.”
Elijah chuckles. “Good luck with that now that he knows who you are to Breyla.”
“Great,” I grumble.
We sit in silence for a few more minutes before Elijah speaks again, his voice quieter now. “I know Genevieve kept things from us—from you. But I just thought you should know she didn’t do it lightly. I believe she was genuinely trying to protect us. All of us.”
Pain tightens my chest, leaving me gasping for breath. “I expected nothing less from her. Still doesn’t make it any easier.”
“No,” Elijah agrees, his voice cracking. “But you needed to hear that. She loved us all so much…” his voice trails off, tears filling his eyes.
“I see so much of Raynor in Breyla. But it’s Genevieve’s capacity to love… that’s the best trait she passed down to her daughter.”
“Have you told her that?”
“No,” I admit.
“Perhaps you should.”
“You’re probably right, but that would require her agreeing to talk to me without hatred and bitterness lacing every word.”
“You’ll get there. Just keep trying.”
“How long did it take Cillian to gain her forgiveness?”
Elijah grimaces. “Three years.”
I take another swig of rum at the thought of waiting three years to gain my little demon’s trust back.
“Fuck.”
