Page 57 of Claim the Twilight
I just hoped they stayed that way.
Chapter 24
ORINA
The sky was beginning to lighten by the time we entered Branwood. Dawn was on the horizon, and our party was weary.
“Everyone get some sleep,” Ezekiel said. “Rest while you can. We’re in the calm before the storm, and once it hits, there will be no sleep for any of us.”
“At least I get a room to myself now,” Holly said. “Did you know that Merry snores? Loudly. Wake me if anything happens.” She bounded up the steps, bag of tricks bouncing against her back.
“Sleep will have to wait,” Ordell said. “Hemlock and I need to set some traps around the castle. We don’t have wards, but that doesn’t mean we can’t ward off trouble.”
Hemlock nodded, his gaze on the ground. His silence and lack of snark made me ache for an earlier time when we’d poked and jibed at each other. A time before our hearts had gotten involved and filled every glance and touch with longing.
“Orina?” Ezekiel lightly touched the small of my back. “Are you not sleepy?”
“No. I can help with the traps, though.” I looked up at Ordell, hopefully for something to do, but he shook his head.
“You can’t.”
My chest flashed with heat. “Why not?”
“The sun is up, Orina,” he said gently. “We don’t have any appropriate cover for you out there.”
A weight settled on my chest. “Oh. Of course.” I dropped my chin. “I’ll take a walk through the castle, then.”
“You’ll need to stay away from the windows,” Ezekiel said. “My room has only one window, and the shutters will be closed by now, but the rest of the castle doesn’t offer such protection. And you need to feed again.”
A band tightened around my chest. “I will. I’ll speak to Matthew.”
“I’m not tired,” Lorenzo said. “My drapes are closed. We can take breakfast in my quarters.”
Ezekiel’s eyes flashed, and for a moment I thought he’d protest, but he pressed his lips together and inclined his head. “I shall see you all at dusk.” He did his blur-move thing up the stairs and vanished into the shadows.
“I’ll see you later, Orina.” Ordell dropped a kiss on my head.
“I won’t. I need to sleep,” Hemlock said bluntly.
Ordell frowned at him. “What he means is he has to go into a deep sleep to control the power trying to push through him. He does it every few months to recharge, and it allows him to keep the power locked away.”
The control Hemlock had to exert over his body, over his emotions, was astounding. He might be one of the strongest people I knew.
My gaze tangled with his for a brief moment, and I caught the soft look in his eyes before he looked away.
Damn him and his stubborn nature.
The brothers strode off, leaving me and Lorenzo alone in the shadowy foyer.
“It will be okay,” Lorenzo said, lightly caressing my cheek. “We must believe that.”
I forced a smile. “I know.” I exhaled, shaking off the blues. “Let’s go to the kitchens and grab some food to take up with us.”
The routeto the kitchens was via dark corridors, deep in the castle, with no windows to threaten me with sunlight. I took the route on autopilot, having come this way so many times before to visit Ingrid.
Was she back yet? Recharged from helping me free myself from the vista?
My question was answered as I entered the cozy kitchen to see her at the stove.
