Chapter 44

My heart slamsagainst my chest as I hurry down the corridor toward Reeve's bedchamber. I would ask Jude to go, but Reeve has stronger magic.

I reach Reeve's door and rap my knuckles against the solid wood. A moment later, Reeve swings the door open, his gray eyes meeting mine with that unnerving calm he always seems to possess.

"I need you." I clench my jaw and continue. "Annora has been poisoned."

His stoic facade falters for a fraction of a second before he regains control, masking any shock with practiced indifference. But I still saw it—the brief tightening of his jaw, the slight narrowing of his eyes. He may be reserved, but he's not heartless.

"What do you need?" he asks.

"You must go to Bakva with Arian and fetch Emerin, Annora's younger sister." My words come out in a rush as I add, "She's a gifted silver healer."

Reeve lifts his brow. "You want me to go to Bakva and fetch Emerin, Asha's sister?"

My heart pounds as precious moments slip away. "Yes, precisely, and you need to hurry."

"Jasce." Reeve leans against the doorframe and folds his arms. "You already took one of Asha's sisters. What do you think she's going to do when you take another one?"

Asha is the least of my concerns right now.

"I don't give a fuck what Asha is going to do. I want you to go and get Emerin, so she can save my wife."

"Should I kidnap her?" Reeve asks, his tone calm, unaffected, as if he just asked me if I wanted a goblet of wine.

"Try asking first."

"All right." Reeve straightens from his perch against the doorframe. "But I'm not in the habit of asking more than once."

"I'm aware."

Reeve rotates to collect his weapon belt from where it hangs on the wall and turns back to face me as he straps it snugly on his hips.

"Go to your wife, Jasce," he says, his voice steady and calm. "I'll take care of bringing Emerin here."

His assurance does little to ease the anxious tension knotting my gut, but I know arguing will only waste precious time. I give a terse nod and head for the door.

Reeve will handle this.

He has never failed me before.

* * *

I returnto the bedchamber to check on Annora. She lies in the same spot, her skin so pale it's almost translucent. Her chest rises and falls with each shallow breath, the only sign that life still flows through her veins.

Worry drums through me as I approach the bed and sit. Gently, I run my hand up and down her arm, wishing I could somehow will her back to consciousness.

This is Keel's doing.

He was behind the attack on me, and I know he's behind this too.

The bastard will die the next time I see him.

Annora mumbles incoherently in her sleep. Her brow furrows, and she shifts restlessly beneath the bedcovers, as if trapped in the throes of a nightmare.

I reach out, gently resting my hand on her forehead. She stills at my touch but doesn't wake. I let out a shaky breath as my chest constricts with fear for her.

This is different than anything I have ever faced. I've never felt so helpless, so utterly powerless in the face of an enemy I cannot see or fight.

All I can do is sit here and hope that Reeve will return with Emerin in time.