Page 112 of Bitten & Burned
“Agreed,” Anton said.
“We can’t be sure there won’t be more,” Cassian added. “This could’ve been a probe.”
“You’re right,” Anton said. “We need to split up. Cassian—you take her to my apartment here. She can rest there for the day. Quil and I will take the yacht back to Kravenspire. We’ll go the long way.”
Cassian nodded.
“You can leave tomorrow night—hire a carriage to Halemont. It’ll be rough travel, and more expensive, but safer. Fewer eyes.”
I frowned. “I don’t want you to go.”
“I know, darling. But this is to keep you safe. Quil and I will see you in three days.”
I still didn’t want them to go, but I didn’t have much choice in this.
I sniffed. “Okay… three days isn’t that long.”
“Exactly.” Anton smiled. “Now let me grab your things.”
“I can?—”
“No, Rowena,” he cut me off. “You don’t want to go back in there right now.”
I frowned. “Is it bad?”
“Quil was… thorough.”
“Good,” I said softly.
Quil squeezed my fingers.
Anton stood and laid me gently back onto the chaise before heading to the door.
Cassian was still pacing.
“Cassian,” I said quietly.
He looked up, eyes sharp. “Yes?”
“Are you alright? You seem… nervous.”
“I don’t like not knowing where a threat comes from,” he said, jaw tight. “That means we’re already behind.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“No, it’s not your fault,” Cassian said. “It’s never your fault.”
“It is, sometimes,” I said with a watery laugh.
“Not to my knowledge,” Quil murmured, squeezing my hand.
I looked at him. His eyes were soft, his thumb grazing the back of my hand. He was almost unrecognizable from a few days before.
“That’s not been my experience,” I replied. “Feels like I’m always causing trouble for you guys… I can’t seem to keep it together. Quil was worried I was going to be trouble. Turns out he was right.”
“None of this is your fault,” Quil insisted. “Say it. Say it’s not your fault.”
“Quil—”
