Page 20 of The City Of Fractured Memory

The click of boots on stone announces Xavier before I see him. I turn as he stops behind us, his expression already hardening as his gaze lands on Riven.

“Governor.” Xavier spits the title like an insult, the word sharp as broken glass and heavy with old loathing.

The smile slips from Riven’s mouth, but the calm in his eyes doesn’t waver. I look between the two men, hatred humming between them, thick and undeniable. This can’t be a simple rivalry—it feels older, more intimate, like a wound that has never fully closed.

I file it away. Later. I’ll press Xavier later.

Riven’s gaze shifts back to me, and in an instant the atmosphere changes again, as though the others are mere smoke on the wind hovering around our gravity. “Congratulations,” he says smoothly, ignoring Xavier entirely. “On being allowed back onto the case.”

My stomach twists. “The Chief told you?”

He only shrugs, the smallest tilt of his shoulders. “It was always only a matter of time.”

His constant familiarity with me is starting to become deeply unnerving.

“Yes, well, if you’ll excuse us, we have important matters to get to,” Starling cuts in. “I’m sure you’ve got a lot of work to get on with too, Wren. Keep an eye on her, Blackwood.”

He nods his head to each of us before pushing past towards the cells, not bothering to look back to see if Riven is following. Stryx and Xavier make a move towards the exit, but as I step forward to follow them, Riven’s hand closes around my arm, firm enough to stop me in my tracks. He leans close, his breath brushing the edge of my ear.

“Be more careful in Aethermere, Miss Wren,” he murmurs, soft enough that only I can hear. “The Maw is riddled with eyes. And many of them are mine.”

A shiver traces down my spine.

“And one more thing, detective…” His tone shifts, pausing as his eyes snap over my shoulder momentarily. “Don’t trust the fog.”

His gaze returns to mine, dark and unyielding, and for one wild heartbeat, I can't breathe. Then Xavier’s voice cuts sharp between us, furious and protective, and I pull back, breaking the spell. I don’t answer Riven. I walk away, my pulse hammering as his words echo through me like a curse.

Don’t trust the fog? What in the Voyd is he on about?

“Everything okay?” Xaviers asks, breaking me out of my reverie as I stop at his side.

“Yeah…” I look back but Riven is gone. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Xavier grips my shoulder and turns me to face him. “What did he whisper to you?” His tone is urgent, his eyes betraying panic.

I shake my head, settling for a half-truth. “Just a stupid riddle.”

His shoulders relax and I eye him suspiciously. He notices my accusing glare and tries to walk away, but I keep pace with him, Stryx joining me on my other side as we all walk out into the cobbled street.

“You seem to really hate him?” I ask, trying to catch his gaze, but he keeps his eyes fixed on the road ahead. I start to wonder if he won’t answer, but after a minute he sighs heavily, his eyes darting to me quickly.

“You need to stay away from Riven. He’s bad news, Octavia,” he warns, his fingers flexing into fists as he walks. “He’s one of the most powerful people in Velmora. And the most dangerous.”

“I know, we overheard a couple of wardens talking about him putting down an entire cell block at the prison yesterday,” I mutter, bile rising in my throat at the mere thought.

He scoffs, shaking his head. “That’s nothing. He currently holds a seat on the high Memonic Council; generations of his family have governed Aethermere for centuries. The Ashfells are highly regarded as the most dangerous mortal family in the entirety of Velmora, and for good reason. Their atrocities are countless. What goes on in that prison is just the start. He thrives on the pain of others, and you are no exception. His charm is a mask, don’t fall for it.”

“Do you truly think so little of me?” I bite back, Stryx bristling beside me.

“I don’t mean it like that. It’s not about you, Octavia. He’s…” Xavier sighs again, running a hand over his face, and for the first time tonight, I notice the dark circles under his weary eyes. “Just stay away from him, okay? Promise me?”

I nod, because what else can I do? It’s not like I have any interest in spending any more time with that psychopath anyway.

His expression softens at my agreement and he places his hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently. “I was really worried about you yesterday. You should have told me you didn’t have your circlet, if you had I never would have let you Mindweave like that. Please tell me you’re okay?”

I smile at my friend, his concern thawing the remaining dregs of my earlier anger. “I’m alright, just a bit of a headache. I’ve already promised Stryx I won’t attempt it without the circlet again.”

He clenches his jaw, agitation moulding his posture. “I just wish you didn’t have to rely on it. How is it fair that the Echofae can use their magic without repercussions, yet we have no choice but to sacrifice parts of ourselves to use even the slightest bit of magic?”