Page 38 of The Dragon and the Dove

Fabian got to work.

Tobias continued to stare at her.

She decided not to linger at the scene of their crime. Backing up, she said, ‘Happy sneaking,’ and disappeared as quickly as she’d arrived.

Eager to see how her magic would reveal itself in the presence of more Shade – and perhaps Lightfire too – she made for the cloakroom. The door was locked, which meant Theo had gone to bed for once, instead of falling asleep at his workbench.

Not so, whispered the old voice.

Val was on her way back upstairs when she caught the Shadowsmith sneaking through the front door.

His aunt Paola was with him and so steaming drunk her arm was slung over his shoulder.

Val whistled. ‘Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in.’

Theo looked up, glassy-eyed. ‘Huh?’

‘You smell like a brewery.’

His smile was crooked. ‘I’m pretty sure Paola drank a brewery tonight.’

At this, his aunt raised her head. Wrinkling her nose, she said, ‘You’re slurring, Theodore. Enunciate.’

‘You’re both slurring,’ said Val.

‘At least I can walk,’ Theo harrumphed, which was a fair point. Paola had all the structure of an empty pillowcase. ‘Help me get her upstairs, will you?’

‘Oh!’ cried Paola. ‘Let’s race on our hands and knees!’

‘I’m sure Mercure would love that,’ said Val, sweeping in to take her other arm. They shouldered her up the stairwell towards her bedroom on the third floor, where she collapsed onto her bed with a contented sigh.

They took off boots, tossed a blanket over her and left her snoring soundly.

Out in the hallway, Val looked Theo over. ‘Can you make it to your own room in one piece, or do you need me to sling you over my shoulders?’

‘It’s four doors down.’

‘My offer stands.’

His smile slid away.

‘Are you all right?’ asked Val.

He sighed, raking his hands through his hair. ‘Just drunk.’

Her magic hummed. ‘Are you sure?’

‘I’m fine, Val.’ Gripping her shoulder, he pulled her close and for a fleeting moment, she swore she glimpsed a flicker of gold in his eyes. ‘I’d tell you if I wasn’t.’

Her head spun, a tornado of emotions nearly knocking her sideways. They came all at once: a wash of anger and frustration, then greed and disgust.

And fear.

So much fear it rattled her bones.

There was hunger, too.

An awful, gnawing, aching hunger …