Page 96 of Smoke, Mirrors, & Misdemeanours

Cassia’s house—this quiet, worn-in, cozy house—was that kind of a place.

Rhodes let out a low whistle. “This has more soul than half the estates we’ve cleansed. Don’t ever let it go.”

Cassia chuckled. “Not planning on it.”

“Good,” Ark quipped before he could stop himself.

She looked up. Their eyes met, and a current seemed to pass between them.

Cassia glanced away first. “I have to start preparing for the day. Come to the bakery after you’re done. I’ll have breakfast ready by then.”

Ark gave a small nod. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure they behave.”

“Why do you always make it sound as if we’re savages?” Rhodes muttered behind him.

Cassia left with a wave. Ark watched her cross the garden path toward the white picket gate, breath puffing in the cold, red curls bouncing around her shoulders with every step. The back of his neck prickled—the bond letting him know that the distance between himself and Cassia was increasing.

A soft thump snatched his attention.

Anuck had appeared, silent as smoke, leaping onto the bench near the door. His black fur gleamed under the porch light. He sat still, his yellow eyes moving from Caius to Rhodes, then back again. Unhurried, taking them in.

“Who’s this?” Caius asked, his tone neutral, though his gaze had already narrowed.

“Cassia’s cat,” Ark replied. “Anuck.”

Rhodes kept his distance, squinting. “Are we sure it’s a cat?”

Anuck didn’t move. He just kept watching, tail curled around his paws, blinking slowly.

“Well,” Ark murmured, folding his arms, “Cassia is certain. But I get the feeling there’s a story behind those whiskers.”

They stood in silence, the three of them, watching. Anuck remained still, his gaze never leaving them.

Rhodes finally exhaled. “Yeah. That’s not a cat.”

Ark rubbed the back of his neck. “Cassia does seem to attract a certain type of . . . mysterious guardian.”

Caius was already moving toward the kitchen, but he paused at the archway. His tone shifted—sharper now. “Speaking of guardians, when you were injured, I went to the orphanage to fetch Miss Aura.”

Ark fell in behind him, Rhodes trailing close.

“You said the threshold repelled you,” Caius continued, glancing over his shoulder. “That you couldn’t pass through.”

Ark nodded once. “It pushed me back. Hard. Like the house didn’t want me there.”

Caius turned to face them. “The same thing happened to me.”

Ark stilled. “You too?”

“I didn’t sense any sigils. No visible wards either. But something was there, and it made its intent very clear.”

“Coincidence?” Ark muttered. “Unlikely.”

Caius folded his arms and looked at Rhodes. “What did you find when you went to pick up herbs?”

Rhodes shrugged. “Nothing unusual. I walked right in.”

No one spoke.