“He caught August and me together once,” I explained. “I didn’t realize he was—thought he was harmless—” I rambled. “Anyway, you know the rest. He…grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. And then you showed up.”
Casimir said nothing but continued to gaze at me with cold fire in his eyes. Fumbling in his jacket, he withdrew his gold case to light a cigarette, and then paused, as if suddenly remembering his promise. Guiltily, he tucked the cigarette behind his ear.
“So, what you’re telling me is that I should have broken his fucking hand after all,” he said casually.
I winced at the violence in his words. “That won’t be necessary,” I replied coolly. Then, to change the subject more than anything else, I added, “Are you going to show me what you stole from Bryce’s safe?”
At that, Casimir’s eyes brightened. He offered me a sly smile as he drew a heavy silver chain from his pocket. It was a necklace made of coiling, interlocking chains set in shimmering silver. Together, the diamond end clasps formed the head and tail of a viper with gleaming emerald eyes. The craftsmanship was exquisite, even to someone like me, who had never laid eyes on something so fine and otherworldly. An exquisite necklace to be worn by someone elegant.
“Holy hell,” I murmured, standing up to examine it more closely. “Won’t Bryce’s parents notice it’s missing?” It must’ve been worth thousands.
Casimir grinned at my stunned expression. “The diamonds are the least valuable thing about it,” he explained. “This necklace is enchanted with a rare and valuable sort of magic.”
I shot him a curious glance. “If it contains magical properties, then how did Bryce’s family come to own it?”
He folded his arms over his chest and studied me for a moment, as if considering how best to answer. “Did the book tell you about the emissaries to the Order?” he asked.
I shook my head. “It only told me about the rebellion and how the members of the Order were punished and exiled,” I said, and I could’ve sworn I saw Casimir’s left arm twitch at the mention of it.
He nodded, still pensive. “Yes, the Drekavac rebels who dared to invoke forbidden bloodmagic in their attempt to overthrow the council were punished and exiled. Some sought refuge here, on the Isle of Lorn, others dispersed to Canada.”
I thought I knew where this was going.
He went on, “A few of the more… well-connected families in Ouverham helped them reside in relative secrecy. For a price, of course.” He rolled his eyes. “Devereaux’s family already held ancestral lands on the island, but the others weren’t as lucky. In exchange for safeguarding their valuables, the Order provided the mortal emissaries certain…favors. Gold. Enchanted wine. And of course, protection against glamours.” He directed his chin toward the necklace in my hands.
“Wait,” I said, putting the pieces together. “Are you saying Bryce’s parents or grandparents were emissaries?” It would explain how they’d come to possess such a necklace.
Casimir shrugged. “Possibly. If they were, their identities were kept secret.” He stepped closer to take the necklace from my hands and hold it up to the light. The emerald eyes gleamed menacingly. “Turn around,” he ordered, still holding out the necklace.
“Excuse me?” A moment later, I realized his intent. “No way! I’m not putting that on! It’s bad enough that you stole it. What if Bryce catches me wearing it?”
His lips curled into a mischievous smile. “Bryce doesn’t even know about it,” he argued.
“Can’t you just put it back?” I asked, a note of desperation betraying me.
He spoke calmly, as if addressing a very petulant child. “You’re not yet capable of resisting glamours, so you’ll need to wear this for protection in the meantime.”
“Is that why you stole it?” I gasped, retreating backward so quickly I nearly stumbled over an ottoman. Barring the fact that it was stolen, those glimmering diamonds emanated a quiet, unknown hum of magic that had me terrified to let the cold metal touch my skin.
“Farrow,” Casimir groaned, exasperation lacing his voice. “Do you have to always be so stubborn?”
“Don’t,” I raised my hands as if preparing to shove him back.
Undeterred, he continued his approach, and my breath caught as my back pressed up against the wall. I was trapped.
“Will you please stop being impossible for five seconds?” he growled, still holding the necklace aloft. He was close enough that his breath ghosted across my cheek.
I shut my eyes, my body going rigid, but just as the cold silver made contact with my skin, realization struck me. Casimir hadn’t stolen this necklace for our mission. He’d only stolen it to protect me. Why? My eyes blazed open to meet his, and he hesitated, his face mere inches away?—
The door swung open with a bang to reveal August, gray-faced and tired, his expression furious. Casimir’s gaze hardened. The necklace had vanished, probably into the pocket of his jacket. August’s gaze darted between the two of us, noting with narrowed eyes our closeness, my position against the wall, as the door clicked shut behind him. Reluctantly, Casimir stepped back.
“I need to speak with Arden,” August announced. “Alone.”
I bristled, but Casimir said coolly, “I’m curious to hear whatever it is you have to say to Arden.” He cut me a wry smile. “That is, as long as it’s alright with her,” he added with a wink.
I tried to hide my astonishment, both at August’s sudden appearance and at the speed with which Casimir slid that sly, arrogant mask into place. As if August’s intrusion was entirely unremarkable.
August’s hands formed into tight fists at his sides, his dark eyes simmering. I felt a sickening clench in my gut. He looked even worse than when I’d seen him in class. His bones seemed to jut out from his cheeks like blades sharpened from weeks of deprivation, his skin so pale it was nearly translucent. What the hell was Devereaux doing to him?