Page 101 of Elysian

“Are you becoming . . .” I trailed off, not finishing the last bit. If she was to be the next prophet, it could change things for the better.

“I believe so,” she croaked. “Yes, but they believe it is simply instructions from my mother.” She shook her head. “She never told me this would happen.”

“I thought the gift was only for bluebloods,” I pushed the question out from my tight throat.

“It must be a hereditary gift like Alchemy.”

“If the council—if Vaner—had known this, he would not have forced her to keep moving hosts.”

“I agree,” Lucinda said grimly.

“She must have known, but kept it to herself to protect you.” For all her evasiveness, the prophet’s goal to protect her daughter had been clear.

Lucinda swallowed loudly. “I do not want this known. After all my mother has done to help you, will you not speak of it?”

I nodded. It was easy to agree to. No one needed the information, and if the time came where I must speak on it, I would deal with it then.

“Good,” she exhaled. With a curt nod, she turned and left as quickly as she had arrived.

Morak, Liadan, and Cassiel remained standing where we had left them. I rubbed my eyes.

“She needs rest,” Cassiel announced and curled his arm around my waist.

“Fine,” Morak said, rubbing his chin. “We will continue our discussion after you rest, Lady Draven.”

He guided me from the chamber. We crossed Jude and he entered as we left.

“Do you believe what that girl said to you?”

“She does not have reason to lie. Anyway, if not for her, we would never have found the Resistance.”

He hummed, and we walked in contemplative silence.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Familiar Faces

“There are not many to be Awakened,” Liadan said, reclining on the cushioned chair around the table where the teas and crumpets had been placed. Cassiel left me with Tabby and Liadan in the parlor nearest the entryway while he went to check on Abrax.

It shouldn’t have surprised me—there was only one way out and one way in. Or perhaps he had allowed it because I had shouted at him.

I took a sip of my tea. The warm liquid traveled down my throat, settling comfortingly in my stomach.

“How did you know I would be . . .” Liadan trailed off.

“It was pure chance,” I said. “Had it not worked on you, I would have told Morak about it and he could do the rest.”

But I had been proven right.

“We spent all night checking our people.” Liadan rubbed his temple and slumped against the back of the chair. “I am exhausted.”

“Why aren’t you sleeping?”

He rolled his head to the side to stare at me. “Your bondmate came to request protection for you. Seems like he trusts me more than any other bloke around here.” He shrugged. “But donae be mistaken, he warned me not to lay a finger on you.” He chuckled, watching me with a glint in his eyes. “He quite likes you.”

“He likes having a willing body,” I muttered. Even to my ears it sounded so dead.

“You said yourself that being bondmates does not mean you care for another. It is the urges that come with it,” Tabby reproached. “Perhaps he does care for you.”