Page 150 of Twist of Fate

Gomez snorted. Connal did not.

The healer spread something cool over Luke’s fingertip. Pain flared, then faded beneath a wash of tingling numbness. Magic moved through his ribs next, gentle enough that Luke felt the damage easing rather than vanishing.

His gaze traveled across the room. All of the brothers looked as if they had fought their way through a building. Connal stood closest, blood drying near his temple.

But they were all standing.

Asterius was attempting to steer another healer toward Tyson, who appeared equally determined to send her back. Zer murmured quietly to Avaneel while Keir guarded the chamber doors.

Everyone who had gone to the roof had come back.

Hale had not.

Luke looked down at his bandaged hand before the thought could settle any deeper.

The chamber doors opened. King Silenus entered, his attention moving first over the wounded before settling on Keir.

“The object you recovered has been secured by the gargoyles.”

Keir inclined his head. “No one touched it directly. The magic inside it remained active when we left the armory.”

The king’s gaze dropped to the mark circling Keir’s wrist. “The gargoyles tell me the object caused the marks you wear to react before the gate collapsed.” His gaze moved among the four brothers. “Until now, I believed them to be little more than ornamental.”

No one answered, which was answer enough for the king.

Silenus surveyed the crowded chamber. “This conversation requires privacy.” His gaze moved around the room. “Tyson, the healer, the pixies, and Gomez will leave. The Queen’s warriors and Luke will remain.”

The healer secured the last of Luke’s bandages with a quick snap. At the king’s direction, she gathered her supplies and started toward the doors.

Gomez folded his arms. “I’m not leaving him.”

“I’m fine,” Luke said.

Gomez looked pointedly at his bandages.

“Fine enough,” Luke clarified. “Besides, I think you might be the only one who can convince Avaneel to let a healer check her after whatever she ate on that roof.”

Zer drew Avaneel from his hair and placed her carefully into Gomez’s hands. The tiny pixie immediately began explaining that she had eaten only a little bad magic.

Gomez’s resistance faltered. “I’ll be right outside. And someone will let a healer look at her, or someone will make me speak to her in my outside voice.”

He followed the healers from the chamber, carrying Avaneel protectively between his hands. Tyson and the other pixies went with them, their usual chatter subdued.

“Thudlez,” Silenus called.

The hobgoblin popped into existence beside the entrance to the chamber. “Your Majesty.”

“Remain inside and guard the doors. No one enters until I allow it.”

Thudlez closed the doors and took up position in front of them.

Only then did Zer look at each of his brothers in turn.

Keir nodded first. Asterius followed, his usual humor absent. Connal’s fingers tightened around Luke’s before he gave the same silent agreement.

Zer faced his king. “There is something we were forbidden to reveal.”

Silenus’s expression did not change. “By whom?”