Page 26 of Taloned Heart

If Draven even thought about touching his daughter, who was far younger than was suitable, then he would find a way to kill that elf, bring him back to life, and then kill him again. Maybe a hundred times. Lore could do it.

Lore reached across the table and patted his hand. “I’m sure Draven is being a gentleman. He wouldn’t push her if she didn’t want it.”

“She doesn’t know what she wants.”

“Yes, well, few of us do at that age.”

If she kept smirking at him like that, he was going to bend her over his knee.

Though, they both froze when Beauty cleared her throat and asked the question he’d been afraid she’d ask. “Do either of you know where Zephyr is?”

Her fingers toyed with the condensation on the sides of her cup. She didn’t look up, as if she was afraid of what she’d see on their faces.

He glanced at Lore. Would she tell Beauty that they knew where Zephyr was? It might be too much for Beauty to hear that the young man she was in love with was being tortured right now, and that there was nothing any of them could do about it just yet.

Those big pools of starlight stared back at him, and he already knew she’d tell Beauty everything. Their friend had a right to know, even if it hurt.

Lore swallowed hard and replied, “I know where he is. I’ve seen him. Talked with him. The power inside me lets me walk through the realm as if a mile is but a small leap. I know where he is, Beauty. And we’re going to get him back. I promise you that.”

CHAPTER10

Beauty’s father returned and with him came an air of discomfort. Lore knew that the old man had to know who she was and what she could do. Or maybe he didn’t. Maybe he wanted some time with his daughter to rest, or at least understand who was staying with them now.

The last thing she needed was to feel like a burden.

Lore excused herself and Abraxas followed her out of the root cellar. Neither of them had to worry too much in Tenebrous. As long as she kept her face hidden, then they were safer than Beauty or her father.

“Do you think you can keep yourself hidden for a while?” Abraxas asked, his stomach still rumbling.

“Go hunting,” she said with a laugh. “Everyone for miles around will know that you’re starving and wonder why both of us look so well fed if you can’t keep your belly quiet.”

“Where will you be?”

He stood with the moon outlining his form. His dark hair shifted in the breeze and his broad shoulders nearly blotted out the moon.

Lore smiled. “I’m going to go home for a bit. See if there’s anything left in there that might be useful.”

His gaze softened, and he tugged her into his arms. “Stay out of trouble,” he whispered against her hair. “I won’t be long.”

“I know you won’t.”

Lore lingered on their kiss, pressing herself against his body as though this was goodbye. Because neither of them ever knew if it would be goodbye. They still feared losing each other, and she still feared what it would mean if he didn’t come back.

Abraxas let their hands clutch each other until the last moment. Her fingers felt empty without his to hold on to.

Sighing, Lore turned away from Borovoi’s home and tightened her hood around her head. She could so easily disappear into the depths of Tenebrous. Hadn’t she done it a thousand times in her life? Hadn’t she walked these streets with Goliath at her side as they ducked away from Umbral Soldiers?

The memories walked beside her as she made her way through the dark streets. There were few people out and about these days. No humans were left to keep the taverns open or the bars bustling at this time of night. Instead, she was faced with a ghost town.

Familiar rungs appeared on the side of a house she’d hoped would still be standing. As she had her entire life, Lore climbed up the side of the building and crouched on the rooftops.

Above her head, far on the horizon, she saw the outline of a dragon. Just as she had years ago. Although now the image filled her with a sense of peace and longing rather than fear and dread.

He knew it was a risk for someone to see him. And yet he still had let his shadow pass in front of the white fluffy clouds and the silver rays of the moon, just in case she needed to see him.

Perhaps he’d already suspected her fears. That she’d have to go through the city and that someone would recognize her. Or that she would find the places she once loved already burned to the ground. He had to know how much it would kill her to see that.

And see it she would.

---