Grimacing as though the action caused him physical pain, Augusttugged at his sleeve to reveal a brand in the shape of an X on the underside of his wrist.
I stared in revulsion at the raw, reddened skin. “What does it mean?”
It was Casimir who answered. “It’s an Ethervalean rune called the Zarvex.” His eyes locked onto mine, making my heart stutter unevenly. “It means ‘without power,’ and in Ethervale, it’s a mark of bondage. The mark of a slave.”
My breath caught in my throat and?—
Oh gods. This was no mere veilbound bargain, but an irreversible contract. An ever-fixed, magical brand. August had unknowingly vowed to participate in the Order’s ritual, ignorant of what it would ultimately cost him. August would be bound to Devereaux for the rest of his life.
“August, I’m so sorry this is happening to you. I know they’ve been torturing you.” His jutting cheekbones and the purple shadows beneath his haunted eyes told me as much. “Please, if you know anything, you have to tell us. We can help you.”
“Farrow,” Casimir warned. I ignored him. Casimir didn’t want it getting back to Devereaux that we were looking for the Keeper’s Heir, but this was more important. August’s life was more important.
Slowly, August shook his head. When he spoke, it was as if the last few minutes of our conversation had never happened. “Arden can’t be here,” he said, speaking only to Casimir, “You know she’s in danger, and you’re being selfish by keeping her here.”
“What do you expect me to do?” I cried. How dare he speak about me as though I weren’t even here? As if I shouldn’t have a choice in where I went! “Drop out of school? Where am I supposed to go? You know I can’t go home.” He knew better than anyone why I couldn’t return to that place.
“I think you should leave now, August,” Casimir said softly. With the way his eyes darkened with violence, it wasn’t a suggestion.
August ventured a few steps closer to me, keeping a wary eye on Casimir as if he might suddenly attack.
Casimir only eyed him coldly.
August continued to ignore me. “Things are going to get worse. Arden must leave the Isle of Lorn. Now. Unless you want her to end up like Isolde.”
“Don’t you dare speak her name,” Casimir growled, bearing down on August.
I frowned in confusion. I’d heard the name mentioned once before by Evren, of all Daemons, that night in the observatory. “I courted Isolde for months,” he’d said.
Realization struck me like a blow to the stomach. Was Isolde the one Casimir had failed to save, the one he’d lost to Devereaux’s betrayal? Was it possible that Evren and Casimir had loved the same woman? Casimir had never spoken her name in my presence—and yet August knew who she was.
Casimir had had enough. “Get out,” he snarled at August.
“This is on you now,” August fired back, hatred filling those dark eyes again. “You’re the one keeping her in danger.”
“You are the last person who should go anywhere near the Bloodthorn Order.”
August cringed back as Casimir advanced on him, eyeing the only exit. “It isn’t for you to decide,” Casimir hissed. “Arden must make her own choice.”
August’s gaze landed on the glass of blood-red wine in my hand, and he abruptly halted his retreat. “Tell me you’re not drinking that.” His eyes went wide with horror.
“Why, what’s wrong?” I asked, glancing over at the undrunk wine.
In a quick movement, Casimir lifted the cup and sniffed at the contents. He swore under his breath.
“What?” I demanded.
“It’s been poisoned. Enchanted. Drugged. Whatever you want to call it,” Casimir said bitterly, glaring at the cup. “Why didn’t you say—? Never mind, it doesn’t matter now,” he muttered, dismissing August with a wave of his hand.
The door clicked shut, and we were alone again.
“I should’ve seen this coming,” Casimir murmured to himself.
“Wait!” I called out. I shoved past Casimir, intent on following August, but when I swung open the door, he’d already vanished into the throng of people mingling around the bar. August had hidden so much from me. Weeks had gone by before I’d noticed the change in his demeanor. Why hadn’t he come to me when he was in trouble? Why did everyone insist on keeping me in the dark?
Numbly, I elbowed my way through the crowd and onto the terrace, stopping only when my hands met something cold and unyielding. The faerie lights continued onto the balcony, where they intertwined with the white, curving rails at my fingertips. The sharp winter air was like a salve on my hot, jagged thoughts, cooling them to a steady thrum. I felt Casimir standing beside me, his presence like a dark shadow.
“You were a little harsh with August earlier, don’t you think?” I scolded, but the accusation sounded hollow. I frowned into the darkness, still not turning to meet his eye.