Warrior of the Drowned Empire (Drowned Empire #6)

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

LYRIANA

We were silent for the first hour as we escaped. I no longer felt the fear I once had of flying like this. It was hard to feel fear of any kind after what we’d just done. After all we’d achieved.

But the weight of it could not be unfelt. We had attacked the Emperor of Lumeria. Avery Kormac, the leader of the wolves, of the soturi occupying my country. And we had just freed and taken two of his most valued prisoners. A chayatim. And Emperor’s Theotis’s murderer.

We’d left Imperator Hart behind, disobeyed, and escaped from our blood contracts. Evaded arrest for vorakh. And by now, everyone knew it.

At least, everyone who had the power to hunt and hurt us knew it. They’d be after us. Probably for forever, until we died, or we left the Empire for good. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t even imagine what would come next. But I didn’t regret what we’d done at all. I only regretted leaving Kenna behind. She’d become a friend, and now she was alone with those monsters. But Dario had assured me she wouldn’t have left with us, even if we’d been able to reach her in time.

I tried to bask in our victory. We were free, we had escaped, and we had Jules, and that was all that mattered.

I sat near the gryphon’s head silently with Aiden. The air was cold, but refreshing, as we flew south. I could feel, even from here, the temperature rising. And in the sky, the stars were twinkling wildly. I took a deep breath, and turned back to see my friends, my family, all working together to bandage and wrap everyone’s injuries. Tristan and Meera were diligently tending to Galen’s wounds with the limited first aid supplies we had in our belt pouches. I couldn’t help but grit my teeth. I wasn’t allowed to use my full healing ability—not yet.

Rhyan and Dario were working on Jules, crouched behind me. Beside me, Aiden was desperately trying to stay awake. He’d been nearly drained from all the glamour magic he’d used, and our takedown of the wards. He was on the lookout for more. But we hadn’t seen any other gryphons or ashvan for most of the past hour.

I turned back and watched anxiously as Rhyan wrapped Jules’s hand in a piece of Dario’s cloak that he’d ripped off.

As if sensing me, Rhyan looked up. Our eyes met and a thousand messages seemed to pass between us. Love. Gratitude. Concern. Memories of our bodies tangled in bed, burning together. Rhyan whispering he loved me in the dark. Calling me his soulmate. Growing so overwhelmed with emotion, he’d asked me to marry him.

I smiled, and looked away. Because he was coming between me and the one thing I wanted right now. The one thing I’d wanted since the night of my seventeenth birthday.

Jules.

I was going to be farther than Lethea if I didn’t get to see her soon, if I didn’t get to touch her. If I didn’t get to heal her. My hands practically itched with the need. She could be fine now. Awake, calm, without pain. I didn’t care what it did to me. I’d take it on. For her, I’d do anything. And I wanted to heal Galen, too. Desperately.

Suddenly, I felt Rhyan’s arm around my shoulder, his body pressed to my side. His body heat was a welcome contrast to the cold of the night sky.

“Partner,” he breathed, and hugged me to him.

All at once, I buried my head against his chest, and made a noise that was dangerously close to a sob.

He stroked my back and kissed the top of my head. “It’s all right. We’re okay. Everyone is okay.”

“By the Gods.”

“Look at me,” he said, tilting my chin up. “You fought so fucking bravely tonight. It’s because of you we got everyone out.”

“That was you,” I said.

“It was both of us. And everyone else here.”

It was true. Everyone had played their role.

I looked back over my shoulder. Dario was wiping a cloth against Jules’s forehead. He looked reverent as he did it. Caring. So unlike the Dario he usually showed me. But this wasn’t quite the empathetic Dario I knew either. This seemed like something else. Someone new.

Rhyan followed my gaze, his jaw tensed.

“How is she?” I asked, turning back in his arms.

He squeezed me. “I think mostly in shock,” he said. “I don’t know. What the Imperator—I mean, Emperor—did to her tonight was awful. But nothing she won’t recover from. It’s more about what else happened for the last … well, while ... I don’t really know what she’s been through. But I think that’s going to take some time. She’s going to need your patience.”

He took my hand. “We’re well into Cretanya now. Luckily, we avoided the hourly ashvan. You remember the inn we stayed at before? The one that Sean’s in-laws own?”

“I remember,” I said.

“We should stay there tonight,” Rhyan said. “We’re close. We need to land now. Everyone’s exhausted or injured. We’ll be as safe there as anywhere else. And I’ll feel better getting off the gryphon. We got lucky considering the ashvan patrol and the other gryphons in the capital. One inventory in the stables and they’ll know which gryphon we took. They’ll be searching the skies for us, covering it.”

“We’re going to have let him go,” he sighed. “We’re too far south for the gryphon anyway. It’s not his weather.”

“He’s a good gryphon,” I said sadly, realizing we’d have to let him go.

“And you said you didn’t like flying on them,” he teased.

I laughed. “Well, it grows on you.”

“It does.”

A minute later, Rhyan told everyone to hold on, and began directing the gryphon’s descent.

We landed in the forest, not far from the park by the inn. Galen was still passed out, sleeping off his injuries. Aiden quickly removed his robes and spread them on the ground. Then, Tristan and Aiden lifted Galen into the robes. Dario descended, Jules in his arms. She was also fast asleep. I started toward him, but held back, instead taking Meera’s hand, and hugging her as Rhyan said goodbye to the gryphon. He shooed him away, and looked ready to cry when the gryphon finally spread his wings. I pulled out my sword, standing guard, as the gryphon took off into the sky for the final time, without us. He was free. There was only a single torn rope dangling from his back leg as he flew toward the mountains and the cold. It was just like Rhyan’s tattoo.

Rhyan jumped then, vanishing into the inn to get us all rooms.

Suddenly, Jules opened her eyes, staring up at Dario.

“You’re awake,” he said, his voice husky with exhaustion. “How are you?”

“I can stand,” she said at once. She sounded anxious as she struggled to get out of his arms.

“Oh, of course, my lady.” His accent was always thick. He was one of the Glemarians who never seemed to try and hide it or speak in the more formal way of Court, the way Rhyan’s father did. But just then, Dario’s accent felt even heavier. He frowned, and then helped Jules to stand.

She swayed, not totally steady on her feet, but she wore a look of determination that I hadn’t seen in ages.

Our eyes met, and for a moment there was nothing else. She was staring at me, not speaking and I swore my heart stopped. She stepped forward, that same force of determination in her step. And then another. Like she was coming toward me.

My arms lifted unconsciously ready to run and hug her to me.

Suddenly Meera moved, running between us.

“Jules,” she said, attempting to wrap her arms around her.

But Jules stepped past her, shaking her off, and I realized she was looking past all of us.

“Is that Auriel’s Flame?” she asked.

Meera folded her arms across her chest, her face full of hurt. My arms were aching with the need to hug Jules. Then I fully heard her question. Auriel’s Flame? What in Lumeria? I looked over my shoulder, half expecting to see a fire, or an apparition. But there was nothing, just the city of Thene.

“Jules?” I asked. “What do you see?”

She looked at me like I was farther than Lethea. “The inn,” she said, almost impatiently. “We’re in Thene?”

I nodded, surprised she knew that when she’d just woken up.

“The inn,” she said confidently now. “It’s called Auriel’s Flame.”

I didn’t even know that, and I’d stayed there for almost a week with Rhyan. Then again, I’d never exactly walked through the front door. We’d been trying to hide that we were together from everyone, even those Rhyan trusted. But Jules had never been here. I would have known if she had. I would have come with her. My first time was with Rhyan, and Jules had never traveled outside of Bamaria without me. There was no way she could know Auriel’s Flame.

“How—” I started to ask, when she waved me off.

“Because I’ve been here before,” she snapped. “And I stayed at this inn.”

“When?” Meera asked. “I don’t remember us ever—”

“After,” Jules said, her voice terse. “It was after. Okay?” She shook her head. “Gods.” She was getting angry. Her agitation and annoyance was palpable, radiating through her aura.

I wanted to cry. I never imagined if we reunited that it would be like this. I needed to hug her. Was she mad I hadn’t yet? I doubted Rhyan could have properly explained to her all that had happened to me and why it meant I couldn’t touch her until we were safe. I still felt awful about it. But then Meera had just gone to her. And Jules had pushed right past her.

“You had a chance to come here while chayatim?” Dario asked gently. “Lady Julianna?”

“No,” Jules said, her eyebrows narrowing. “Of course, not.” She folded her arms across her chest. “I was a prisoner of the Emperor’s. They don’t take you out to stay at inns. I escaped.”

“You did,” I said, my voice high. I took a step toward her. “What happened?”

“I was caught,” she said flatly, and looked away.

Rhyan suddenly appeared beside me, and stumbled. I grabbed his waist, supporting his weight before anyone noticed.

He took a deep breath, getting his bearings, but kept his arm around me. “We got lucky,” he said. “They had two rooms available. We’ll need to split up, four in one, four in the other. Cal and Marisol said they could bring some extra cots and blankets in for everyone. So we should be comfortable, but some of us will have to share. They also have food—Marisol’s scrounging some hot plates together right now. She’s very excited everybody’s here.”

“Who are they?” Tristan asked suddenly. He’d been quiet since the escape, his focus completely on Galen. He’d helped us fight the wards as we flew beyond the Palace grounds and into Numeria. But then he’d been silent, staring only at Galen. I knew he was worried about our friend. But I also suspected that he was attempting to face the reality of what he’d done tonight. Sacrificed his Ka, his wealth, his status. He’d given up everything. For Galen. For Jules.

And for other vorakh.

Gods. He was vorakh, too. For the first time since his Revelation Ceremony, he wasn’t hunting them. He was the hunted one now. Poor Tristan. I wanted to talk with him about it. But that was a conversation that would have to wait.

“Cal and Marisol own the inn,” Rhyan said. “My uncle Sean is married to their granddaughter.”

“We can trust them,” I said quickly. “They’ve hidden Rhyan many times before. And me, too.”

Tristan’s eyes met mine, his jaw clenching. The gravity of what I’d just said sinking in. He knew Rhyan and I were together. There was no way he couldn’t, especially after tonight. We weren’t exactly hiding it anymore. But there seemed to be something about openly admitting we’d spent more than one night together here that made the knowledge feel like something more. A confirmation of sorts. Especially in Tristan’s eyes.

At last, he pulled his gaze from mine, his mouth tight, his hand on his belt. “Fine. Let’s get inside.” He signaled to Aiden, and once more they picked up Galen.

“Are you okay to walk?” Dario asked Jules.

She answered by marching pointedly away from him and heading for the inn. Quietly, we all left the forest, traipsed through the park, which was completely abandoned at this hour, and then made our way to the street and the alley to remain discreet.

Then for the first time in all of my visits and stays, I walked through the front door.

An elderly man was behind the front desk, with a face exuding warmth and kindness. Cal, I assumed. I hadn’t met him during my previous stay since Rhyan had kept me hidden. But I’d heard his voice multiple times when he’d come to check on Rhyan or bring food to the room. Rhyan always ordered enough for both of us and pretended it was all for him. But I had a suspicion that Cal had seen through that. Marisol, too.

“Welcome, welcome,” Cal said jovially. He lifted his arms, his eyes sweeping over everyone. “Here are your room keys.” He handed them both to Rhyan, then looked again to the rest of our group. “We are so happy to have you all. Any friends of Rhyan’s are welcome at Auriel’s Flame at all times.” He paused. Suddenly, his mouth opened, his eyes falling on Jules. There was something dangerous in the way he stilled. He’d recognized her

I started forward on instinct, ready to defend her and fight Cal no matter how nice he was.

“By the Gods. Sweetheart.” He paled, like he’d seen a ghost. “You’re back. You’re all right.”

I stilled, looking back and forth between them.

Jules shrugged. “I guess. I’m alive. Hopefully I leave this time under different circumstances.”

Cal frowned. “I hope so, too. How is your fr—”

Jules shook her head. “No.” Her eyes darkened, and she walked away from Cal, her entire body turned toward the staircase. She didn’t look back.

I wanted to apologize. It was so unlike Jules to ever be rude or cruel or short with anyone. At least, it was so unlike the Jules I had known. I was beginning to understand that she would be different, that I would have to get to know her all over again after so much time apart—after she’d lived a life I knew nothing about. And I didn’t know how to feel about that. How to approach her.

Cal looked down at his desk. Not from embarrassment at being slighted by Jules, I realized. But because he was sad. There was a tear in his eye, and the emotion was pushing itself out of his aura. He reached for Rhyan’s arm and whispered, “When she’s ready to hear it, will you tell her I’m sorry for her loss. Bar Ka Mokan. ”

Rhyan frowned, one eyebrow furrowed. “I will, Cal.” Rhyan looked at Jules, confused, then turned back to the old man. “We better get up into our rooms. Safer that way.”

Cal nodded. “Of course. Marisol will be up soon with food, so don’t be alarmed—it’s most likely us knocking.”

“Thank you, Cal,” I said. “We really appreciate it.”

The old man grinned. “It’s our pleasure.”

A few minutes later, we had all gathered into one room so we could decide how we’d split up.

I of course wanted to stay with Jules and Meera. I knew Tristan wanted to be with Galen, and Aiden and Dario would want to stay together. And there was no question, Rhyan was going to stay with me. Though it was tempting to do an even split of boys and girls, this was a natural four and four. And so, it was decided. Aiden and Tristan would continue caring for Galen while Dario stood guard.

As for us, Jules and Meera could rest, while Rhyan and I remained alert.

The boys, minus Rhyan, reluctantly shuffled out of what we’d decided would be our room, and they took the second key next door.

Then Rhyan and I were alone with Meera and Jules.

“I want to sleep by myself,” Jules said right away. “I can take the floor if it’s a problem.”

“There’s no need for that,” Rhyan said.

We had two beds. And only three of the four of us planned to sleep. At least I knew that was what Rhyan was thinking. He was going to sleep though at some point—whether he wanted to or not. He needed it.

“You can take the first bed, Jules, and Meera can have the other. Rhyan and I are staying up, and if we need to rest, we’re used to the floor.”

She folded her arms across her chest, eyeing the two matching beds.

I bit my lip.

“Jules, uh …” Rhyan started. “Are you … are you okay with me being here? I could … if it makes you more comfortable, stand guard outside.”

She turned around, a sudden look of panic on her face, as she looked at me and Meera. Her eyes flashed then she looked only at Rhyan. “Stay. I’m just going to sleep anyway.”

“Do you … do you want to get cleaned up?” I asked gently.

She scoffed. “Into what? I’m not putting this shit back on after showering. And I will not sleep naked.”

I swallowed roughly, and saw Meera’s eyes water.

“We’ll find new clothes for you,” Rhyan said. “As soon as the stores open.”

She nodded. “I’m going to wash my face, and then I’m going to sleep. Please.” Her eyes fell on Meera, and then lingered on me, her expression harsh. “Don’t disturb me.”

“No one will, you have my word,” Rhyan said. “ Me sha, me ka. ” He pressed his fist to his chest.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice terse.

“I’ll, um, be in the hall for a little while,” he said, pushing his hand through his hair. “Give you all some privacy to do whatever you want and get into bed. You can take your time. I’ll knock before I enter.”

Rhyan headed for the door, and my stomach twisted. I felt like I was on the verge of a panic attack. I didn’t know what was going on. But I suddenly couldn’t stay in that room. Not alone, not without Rhyan. I followed him outside. My heart was pounding, my stomach twisting. The room felt too small, the ceiling too low. I couldn’t breathe. I had gotten what I wanted and I still couldn’t breathe, I felt like I had that night two years ago. Watching Jules be taken away from me, right before my very eyes and I couldn’t do anything. I had to be still, quiet. I couldn’t reach out for her.

Just like I couldn’t reach for her now.

“I need to talk to Rhyan,” I said, and closed the door behind me. Then I pressed my back to the wall, my knees shaking, and closed my eyes.

“Partner?” Rhyan’s aura swept over me, and I looked up. He leaned against the wall beside me, reaching for my hip. “What is it?” he asked. “What’s wrong?” His eyes moved toward the door. “Don’t you want to …?”

I shook my head. “I need you,” I said, my voice shaking. “I need you. Can you—can you take us away from here? Please? Just for a few minutes? I can’t … I can’t stay here.”

He frowned, his eyes moving and back and forth across mine quickly. “You sure?”

My chest started to heave, my breath coming short. “Please. Now!”

“Okay. Okay,” he said, and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against him. My stomach tugged, and the inn’s darkened hallway vanished.

My feet touched down on the roof of the main temple in Thene. I could see the entire city from there, the stars twinkling above, and fire torches lit every few feet along the streets. They were mostly empty, but a few soturi were on duty, standing guard, and a couple of mages appeared to be arriving to work early. Not far from the inn was a stable of ashvan horses. A few were running in the courtyard, tiny blue lights exploding with each step their hooves took.

I clutched Rhyan to me, as he caught his breath, and recovered from the jump. When he was steady, I sank to my knees. He came with me, catching me, holding me against him. He sat back, and settled me in his lap, face to face, with my legs wrapped around him. He carefully pulled his soturion cloak around me, both of our hoods lifted to conceal us.

And only then, alone, and nearly invisible, in the middle of the night, at the top of the city, with his arms tight around me, his scent in my nose, the heat of his body radiating toward mine, I sobbed.

Rhyan didn’t speak. He just let me cry, let me expel every withheld emotion of fear and stress I’d felt all night long. All winter. Ever since I heard the words “She’s alive.” It was pouring out of me like I was a broken floodgate. And I couldn’t stop.

He rubbed my back, and made shushing sounds, rocking me until I ran out of tears.

“I know,” he said softly. “Shhh. I know. That was a lot.”

“It’s not just that. I don’t know what to do about Jules,” I cried.

Rhyan brushed my hair behind my ears. “I don’t think anyone knows, not even her. But you saved her, and you can’t forget that—you did that. Okay? That’s enough for tonight. You don’t have to know what to do next. I don’t know if there is anything you can do. Certainly not tonight. Let her rest. She’s away from the Palace, away from the people who hurt her most. They can’t do it anymore. That’s what’s most important.”

I sniffled. “She’s … she’s so different. She feels like a stranger. And I know it’s stupid. Of course, she would be. And I know it’s only been a couple of hours but …”

“She is different,” Rhyan said. He spoke like it was fact, like it wasn’t a bad thing. He pressed his forehead to mine. “She was always going to be different. No one can go through what she has and stay the same.”

I shook my head. “I feel like I barely recognize her.”

“Maybe. But from what I’ve seen tonight, the Jules I knew, she’s still in there. Deep down. She’s still Jules, Lyr. She always will be. She’s just a different version. I’m not going to push her to come out. Not for a while. She needs to rest and adjust to her new circumstances. Give her time. I think she’s in shock.”

“She’d been to the inn before. She said she escaped. But all she said when I asked what happened, was that she’d been caught.”

Rhyan sighed. “I imagine she’s still afraid of going back. Afraid of not only that happening, but what they might do to her if she does. I remember feeling the same way when I left Glemaria. Like my father or his men were waiting for me around every corner, like I could go back at any moment, and when I did, it would be worse. She’s already had that happen.” He shook his head sadly. “I can’t even imagine.” He stroked my hair. “I don’t think she’s going to be able to relax for some time. Not until she feels safe. Only then will she start to heal. But she will.”

I swallowed, understanding. “You’re right.”

“Should we go back?” he asked. “I know you don’t want to be separated from your family for too long. Especially now.”

And I knew what else he wanted. He wanted to be reunited with Dario and Aiden. To finally talk and clear the air now that he knew they weren’t against him.

“We should,” I said. “We should also check on everyone else, make sure they’re settled. But,” our eyes met, “can we have one more minute? Just me and you.”

“As many as you want,” he said. “You know I’m at your command, Lyriana. Always.”

Our lips met in a fierce and passionate kiss, like we’d picked up from where we were earlier in the night. My body was humming, remembering the ways in which Rhyan had taken me. The way he’d pounded into me, and how we’d both lost control.

“We need to go back,” I said suddenly, gasping for breath, as his hands slid up my sides.

“I know,” he said, but he was moving against me, his hips lifting. “Gods, I still want you.”

I had a sudden tightness in my stomach. Like a warning. It would be a while before we were alone again. Privacy had been difficult when it was just us and Meera. Now, we were on the run with six other people. If we were alone again, it wasn’t going to be anytime soon.

“Take me,” I said. “Here. Now. Quickly.”

His green eyes flashed.

I was on my back the next second, as I undid my belt, and Rhyan fumbled with his. Buckles came undone in a flurry, and we kicked off our boots, slid off pants and underwear, just enough to access each other.

It wasn’t like the other times. There was no build up, no finesse, no taunting or teasing. It was rough, and hard. We weren’t focused on pleasure or playing together. This was something else entirely. Some kind of animalistic need to join, to remember what we’d done, to revel in the fact that we’d survived the night. That we were alive.

Rhyan grunted, slamming into me. I was tight, not fully prepared for him for once. But I didn’t care. I met him, pushing back thrust for thrust.

“Fuck,” he groaned, almost immediately. He was already jerking inside me. He wasn’t going to last long. But I didn’t need him to. That wasn’t what this was. This was primal. This was need. A desperate connection. An escape from all the death and danger we’d faced.

And then he was spilling into me, his face contorted into a mixture of pleasure and pain, with sweat beading his brows, the ends of his hair curling.

His chest rose and fell and he took short, labored breaths as he buried his face in my neck, and groaned. “Sorry,” he said. “You didn’t get to—”

I hugged him tight, then pulled his face to mine and kissed him. “I didn’t need to. I promise. This was what I wanted. I wanted you. Just you.”

But the moment he pulled out, my anxiety began to grow. Rhyan and I dressed in silence, and then stood up.

“You know, partner,” he said, his voice quiet, “you never answered my question.”

Marry me.

“What question?” I teased, wanting to keep the moment light, to hold onto this just a little while longer. “From what I remember of your exact phrasing, it sounded like a command.”

He nuzzled my neck. “Me? Command you? No. I am utterly at your mercy.”

“Hmmm. Then what would you call it?”

“Begging,” he said.

I took his lower lip between mine, biting playfully, then licking and kissing him. “My answer was yes before you asked.”

A wide grin broke across his face, his eyes sparkling and the look of happiness had returned. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He kissed me again, and this time it was long and slow.

When he pulled back his expression was serious. Our hands entwined, and his finger stroked over mine—right where his ring might go. Then he lifted me into his arms, and I felt the familiar tug as the lights of the city blinked out.

We returned to the corridor outside our rooms, and Rhyan pressed me against the wall, stealing one last kiss. Then we knocked on the door, and Meera called out to say that we could enter. We’d just missed Marisol and Cal, but the effects of their visit couldn’t be missed. The room was full of plates of fresh fruit, jugs of water, bowls of stew, hot loaves of bread, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, and a small platter of assorted cakes. It was enough to feed us all breakfast three times over.

Meera had made herself a small plate, slowly taking small bites. But Jules was fast asleep in her bed.

“Did she eat anything?” I asked.

Meera shook her head sadly. “She will. She needed to rest more.”

I watched her anxiously.

My stomach rumbled, but I felt too nervous to eat. Rhyan, however, moved to the table and began assembling a plate, and handing it to me.

“Eat, partner,” he said. “You need sustenance.”

I looked at Jules, Jules who was so thin. Jules who wasn’t herself anymore. Who hadn’t even touched the food.

He set the plate down, took a fork, and pushed into the eggs, before holding it to my lips.

“There’s more than enough for her. Not eating won’t change the fact that she didn’t. Eat. For me.”

I opened my mouth and accepted the food.

“Good girl,” he said. “Eat more. You need to be fortified for whatever comes next.”

He handed me the fork, and I did, as he did the same.

“What is going to be next, do you think? Going on the run? Claiming the red shard for Mercurial? Or …” Shit. I froze.

“What?”

“The shield,” I said. “Your father and Kane can’t touch it now, but … it can’t stay in the Palace.”

Meera nodded. “I’ve been thinking. The shard may be the very thing that is allowing so much magic to work in the capital. It’s the only place we know of that can ward against traveling.”

I considered. That made a lot of sense—I had to believe they knew what they had on their hands—what else could they be using it for?

“Even if it’s not in the hands of the Emperor, it’s still a danger. Morgana and Aemon are going to try and claim it.” Meera’s aura flashed with worry.

“They’d be in possession of their own shards.” And we had none. And a lot more people to protect.

Rhyan shook his head. “This is a conversation for tomorrow. Tonight, we eat, and we rest.”

Meera finished her plate and soon fell asleep, but I stayed awake with Rhyan, watching over three of the people I loved most in this world. And when the sun came up hours later, I was still up. Still watching.

Until there was a loud, violent bang on the door.

I stilled, my eyes meeting Rhyan’s. “Cal?” I whispered.

But Rhyan shook his head violently. “No,” he mouthed, his hand already reaching for me.

I pressed myself against the door, trying to hold in my breath as I looked through the peephole.

The hall was full of nahashim.