Page 87 of House of Malice
“Not much longer left,” Rogue said.
Rogue and Val had been awfully silent on their walk. Blaze was too occupied with observing their new surroundings to notice it before. But now the silence was very apparent.
“Are we going somewhere where we’ll be in danger?” Blaze asked.
Val shook her head.
Rogue took a turn and led them down the narrow alley between two brownstones. Once they reached the end of the alley, the concrete ended, and a forest path began.
That was rather unexpected.
Rogue led them deeper into the forest. It was wild enough, but the path seemed to be used often, which meant there were visitors here all the time.
After ten more minutes of walking, they finally reached a clearing. In the middle of it, a little cottage stood. It was overgrown with greenery, with white windows and flower and herb gardens.
“This is so cute,” Jolene said.
“Is this the place?” Val asked.
Rogue nodded.
He walked up to the door and, to Blaze’s surprised, opened it, then merely entered the cottage.
Their group hesitated a moment, before Val followed him inside, and so did the rest of them.
Inside was warm and cozy. Blaze once more felt like he was back in Inathis, visiting someone’s auntie or granny on his school holidays.
Rogue stood in the middle of the living room, a young woman by his side. She barely reached his shoulder and wore a short flowery dress.
Her face was anything but friendly as she glared at all of them.
“This is Nico,” Rogue said. “Otherwise known as Virago.”
“The King’s personal assassin?” Andro asked. “You’re not a demon.”
Nico looked at Andro. “Was I supposed to be one?”
“You don’t like us, but you don’t even know us,” Val said, tilting her head to the side. “Why is that?”
Nico focused her glare on Val. “Because of this.” She took Rogue’s arm, pushed his leather sleeve up, and pointed at the mark on his forearm.
“Ah,” was all Val said.
“Are you a witch?” Alecto asked.
“She’s just like you,” Rogue said. “A half witch.”
Alecto seemed fascinated by that.
“Sit down,” Nico said.
They all sat around the living room wherever there was space. Rogue sat down on an armchair, and Nico settled next to him. It didn’t take to be a genius to know that they were an item.
No wonder she doesn’t like us.
“If you don’t like us, then why did you agree to help?” Andro asked.
“Moren asked me to,” Nico said.
