Page 29 of Nocturn

CHAPTER NINE

Waiting

Ilay on the mattress, staring at the stone above. As much as I shifted and turned, I could not get comfortable. The scent of moss balls lingered in the rough, worn bedding, but I much preferred it to the lewd scents that might accompany a brothel.

Renata and Liadan left a long while ago after explaining pleasure, cocks, release, and pinnacles. My head still verged on exploding.

They were part of the Resistance, which I had not even known existed.

What if it’s a lie?

But that also didn’t make sense, because if I reported this to the authorities, both Renata and Liadan would be arrested while officers conducted an investigation. With the various gift abilities, I had no doubt they would find the truth, which meant they would hang if it were the truth.

By then it would be too late to take it back.

Renata’s expression as she told me of her niece was raw fear.

If it is the truth . . . what if I am caught attempting to take this elusive record?

What would happen to Piper?

Nausea turned my stomach. But if I did not help, Piper and I would be dead anyway.

I sighed, closing my eyes to block out the moonlight spilling in through the slit in the curtain.

My mind raced with plans, hopes, and a healthy dose of fear. With every move I made, sharp pain shot through my injuries. All these aches and pains would be soothed by burgadom root’s cooling properties, if I could obtain it.

I rolled onto my side and tucked my hands under my cheek. My gaze landed on Egan where he stood leaning against the wall beside the door sill. His russet hair had a natural curl that formed backwards, as if he constantly smoothed it at the front.

“Do you not sleep?” I asked.

He faced me, blinking.

“I will once I am relieved of my duties.” Him responding surprised me as much as the courage it had taken to ask. Egan’s stiff demeanor remained poised.

A feminine murmur came from the other side of the door. A deep male chuckle came on its heels. Phillip had stayed outside, and it sounded as if he had been joined by another.

A thud vibrated the door. I sat up, alert.

Another thud came and a giggle.

“Are they . . .” I trailed off, my face flushing with heat.

The noise came again, accompanied by a muffled grunt. All the thudding became a steady rhythm. A very familiar one that reminded me of the pace of the man writhing over the whore in the lounge chamber they’d taken me to observe.

Being near such private, salacious acts was new to me, but there was no heat left over to rush to my face. The image remained in my thoughts.

Yes, they were. Egan opened and closed his mouth, again seeming so unsettled.

“You needn’t answer anymore,” I muttered, reclining on the pillows. There were so many depraved things I would have to partake in with the Warlord. The feeder’s moans and cries were still seared in my memory. Would he make me cry out like that?

What am I thinking?!

Shameful thoughts. I exhaled slowly, forcing my musings away from the Warlord.

I should take advantage of having a decent place to sleep, even if it was a whorehouse. Thumping at the door came faster.

“Matters will only become worse for you,” Egan said.