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“I don’t know. Whatever Kage saw, Viktor seems to have recovered well enough,” Theo said sourly.

“Maybe,” Pendragon said consideringly. “But just because he managed to fly to grab Florence doesn’t mean he’s in prime condition. Kage was in his wolf form—he wounded Viktor. He says he saw more black veins covering his highblood body, too.”

“Maybe it’s not possible for Viktor to be infected like other highbloods,” I said slowly, with a creeping sense of dread. “What if he’s invincible?”

Theo shook his head. “No one is invincible. Not even that ancient piece of shit.”

“I agree,” Pendragon said. “I think …” She bit her lip.

“What?” I prodded.

“I think he’s probably injured. Hiding how bad it is.” She looked at us. “He needs Florence.”

Theo swore. I felt ill. We all knew what she meant. The words were too horrific to say aloud. “I guess we should have seen this coming,” I said slowly.

Pendragon was pale. “The question is, how fast could he do something like that? Does Florence have to be awake? Conscious? Does she have to give any kind of consent?”

“I don’t think consent is a prerequisite of soul-binding,” Theo said, looking sick.

“Right.” Pendragon took a deep breath. “Glad we’ve established that.” She looked at the town house. “So what’s the plan?”

The guard stationed outside the house had leaned back against the wall. He looked bored.

“What if there’s nothing there?” Pendragon said softly.

I squeezed her shoulder. “Then, we keep searching.” I looked over at the guard. “I’ll get him out of the way. Then you two join me.”

“No.”

I looked at Theo. He was stretching his arms. “I’ll take him,” my cousin said.

“No!” Pendragon and I both said at the same time. But it was too late. Theo stepped out into the street, shoulders back like he was walking onto a stage. He advanced a few paces until he reached the bottom of the stairs leading up to the entrance where the guard stood.

“Evening,” he called as he started walking up the stairs.

The guard came to attention. “Where the hell do you think you’re going? Fuck off.”

Theo gave the guard a smile drenched in Drakharrow arrogance. “I beg your pardon? Do you have any idea who I am?”

“Shit,” I whispered. “What’s he doing?”

“I don’t know, but at least he’s having fun,” Pendragon whispered back.

The guard was hesitating. “A Drakharrow?”

“Yes, my good man. And not just any Drakharrow either.” Theo had reached the top step now. His hands were in his pockets. He certainly didn’t look very intimidating. “I’m our dear Lord Drak-harrow’s favorite son.”

I smothered a cough.

My cousin leaned in toward the guard. “The name is Theo, Theo Drakharrow. And I’d like to see my father. Now.”

The guard shuffled his feet. “Lord Drakharrow isn’t here right now … my lord.”

Shit. I looked down at Pendragon.

Theo glanced our way, then looked up and down the street. “Then, let me in, and you and I can share a drink. I’ve a message for my father, and I’ll wait to deliver it.”

The guard hesitated. “Orders are orders. No one goes in or out.”