Page 187 of The Midnight Order
Rushing around Lowell, I grab one of the small leather-bound books off the table and open it to the middle. My eyes scan the pages of symbols, my mind trying to understand what I see. “What is this?”
“That’s Soliel’s handwriting,” Lowell says over my shoulder, and I try to fight the shiver that spreads through me from his proximity.
It’s hard to focus on what’s happening around us when there’s this growing, aching thing between us. Between all of us.
“That’s gibberish, though,” I say, tossing the small book down atop Jasper’s others, piled on the table.
“No,” Corvin says, opening one with a grin. “That’s code.”
“She was always very clever,” Lowell says, and I don’t have to turn to know he’s matching Corvin’s grin with his own; I can hear it.
Their respect and love for her only warm my stomach more. My body is still sore from all yesterday’s activities, and I’m weary on my feet as my vitamins try to keep up with all the feeding. But still, there’s a deep throb shining as it reanimates inside me.
“Silver, we won’t get anything accomplished with you smelling like that. Do you need a moment?” Lowell whispers in my ear, doing nothing for the gnawing building low in my belly.
“Or an orgasm?” Asher adds hoarsely.
I clear my throat, shaking my body out. “I’ll be fine. What else is in there?”
“There are some letters here,” Corvin says, lifting a file. “They’re all in code, too, however.”
“Do we know who they’re between?” I ask, moving away from Lowell before his very presence continues to grow, the hunger culminating in my belly.
“No. The code detracts from any handwriting comparisons we could have made. Once we crack the cipher for this, though, we’ll know what they say, and it should be obvious who they’re between.”
Lowell leans over the now-empty box. “In the meantime, see if there’s a signature on these forged documents. We know Soliel got them, but maybe the forger will have another clue we can use.”
“On it,” Corvin says.
Jasper packs all the rest of the files and books back into the box, shoving it across the table toward Corvin.
“Can I ask a question? Even if I might sound stupid…” Looking around the room, I trail off.
“No question is stupid,” Asher tells me. He cups my cheek, tipping my face back and looking deeply into my eyes. “You’re going through a lot. Your entire world is shifting. We’ll help ease that transition any way that we can.”
I’m breathless as he runs his thumb over my bottom lip. “Thank you,” I whisper.
Corvin clears his throat, and I nearly smirk at how Asher’s touching me has affected him. “What’s your question?”
“If witches are inherently human, how is Ossana still alive? Even Soliel, how…”—I swallow—“How is Aurelias alive?”
“Aurelias is a horse of another color,” Lowell growls, the dusting of arousal leaving his eyes as anger takes its place. “Some witches have found ways around the aging process, but all witches have an aspect of immortality. While they don’t live as long as we do, their lives exceed that of humans.”
I nod, taking it all in.
“And Aurelias?” I ask, to which Jasper looks toward Lowell. The look on his face makes me feel nervous about what I asked, regretting it.
“He’s the leader of the Nightshade Coven. They practice a very dark type of blood magic. He’s as immortal as us because of it, and that’s all I’ll say on the matter,” Lowell says, and even Jasper’s brows knit.
Interesting, he’s never told them about Aurelias, which only intrigues me further.
“Asher,” Lowell snaps, breaking me from my thoughts and trying to connect all the little bits of information I keep learning about Lowell. “Have you been sweeping the grounds every hour, as I asked?”
“I have been. Especially after the incident with Corvin. I haven’t found a thing that leads me to believe anyone’s been hiding out there.”
Incident with Corvin? I look to Corvin, who instantly flicks his gaze away.
What’s he hiding from me?
