Steal the Night (Thieves #5)(99)

I watched the anger recede like a balloon deflating. Daniel put both hands on Dev’s shoulders and looked him deeply in the eyes. “You know it’s you. You’ve never steered me wrong, friend.”

“And I never will.” Dev leaned forward, getting close to Danny. “This is my life as well, Daniel. I have as much at stake in seeing this done well as you do.”

“Are you done with this test?” I asked Myrddin and I could hear the shortness in my voice. I didn’t like the way he’d just played with us.

Myrddin’s big hand came over his chest as though he was hurt I would accuse him of something so heinous. “Your Highness, I was merely confused. You’ll have to excuse me. It has been many years since I was in the company of other humans. Perhaps I’ve lost my tact. I have a job to do and I intend to do it well. I’m the king’s loyal servant. I apologize profusely if I did or said anything that would cause you harm.”

I doubted seriously that the wizard’s sleep had caused him to lose a single step. He knew what he was doing and he’d enjoyed it. Stewart was smiling like he’d just enjoyed a really well-produced play and when I thought about it, he had. We’d merely been the unwillingly players.

“It’s my fault, teacher,” Daniel said. “I try very hard to keep my temper in check. It’s always there under the surface. I apologize for letting it boil over.”

I didn’t like the way Daniel acted around Myrddin. Since that moment when Daniel had reached down to touch the glass coffin and the wizard had stirred, it seemed to me that Daniel and Myrddin had formed some strange connection. I knew my Daniel. He should be angry at the wizard for attempting to come between us, but he behaved in an almost deferential fashion, as a son might look to a father. I didn’t like it one bit.

“No need, Daniel,” Myrddin said with an affectionate smile. “You never need to apologize to me. I’m just grateful that Devinshea is so good at talking you down. You boys make a very good team.”

Dev turned his eyes toward the wizard. “You should remember that in the future. We are always a team.”

Myrddin clapped his hands together. “Now, it’s time to put that team to work. Daniel, you’ll need a balance to keep you alive during this piece of magic I intend to work.”

“A balance?” Daniel asked.

Nim’s soft voice answered. “Think of it as a machine to keep you alive. It’s a form of life support.”

“All right. Why Dev? Zack is my servant. He has my blood and he’s very strong. This seems like the perfect job for him.”

“I can do it,” Zack piped up, sitting a little straighter in his chair. “Tell me what to do.”

Myrddin considered it for a moment. “No, wolf. While I don’t doubt your loyalties, I still think the faery will be a better balance. Were he not here I would certainly use you, but Devinshea is already Daniel’s true balance and he’s the perfect candidate. While you care for your master, Devinshea truly loves him in a way you cannot.”

“What about me?” I asked. I loved Daniel.

“No,” Dev and Daniel managed in perfect accord.

The wizard shook his head. “Your Highness, it’s sweet that you would do this for your king, but I doubt you would survive the pain.”

“I’m stronger than you think I am,” I shot back. Daniel could handle it. I didn’t doubt that, but Dev didn’t like pain. He could be such a baby about a stubbed toe or a paper cut.

Dev whirled me around and I found myself being hauled to the far end of the room. When he thought we were far enough from prying ears, he turned on me.

“You may be stronger than everyone thinks, but you also may be pregnant,” Dev said under his breath. “Even now the conception of our children may be occurring deep inside your body. Daniel and I would never risk you nor would we risk our possible children. Please do not fight us on this.”

I was backed into a corner and had no choice but to numbly nod my head. “All right.”

Dev pulled me into his arms, and his fingers tangled in my hair. “I love you, Zoey. It’s going to be fine.”

“It is,” Daniel said, taking his place at Dev’s side. “Dev and I will get through this. My heart will be healed. We have our army. Once our allies are in place, we’ll take down Marini and then we’ll go home and raise our kids. You’ll see, Z. It’s gonna be fine. Besides, did you think about the connection we have? It can’t be you, baby. You won’t work as life support for me. My body would sense your body’s weakness and try to compensate.”

That would be a disaster if it really worked that way. I wasn’t so sure. The Fae healer had told me it only worked over long periods of time. If I was suddenly killed, Daniel wouldn’t necessarily die. It was a long-term illness that would claim us both. Daniel’s blood could keep Dev and me alive for a long while and we wouldn’t age on the outside but inside, while it might be slower than a normal human, our organs would age. Old age would claim me in the end, and Daniel would go down with me.

“You trust this man to help us?” I wasn’t sure I did and I was risking them both.

“I do, baby,” Daniel promised. “I can’t tell you why, but I know he’s on my side. It’s going to work out. You’ll see.”