Iniquity (The Premonition, #5)(46)

Through a half-lidded stare, I see Xavier’s eyes open wider in growing understanding—panic. He grips my arms and presses his face nearer to mine. “How?”

“Blood. He has some of mine and he can use it...the dark red path that leads him to me.” My eyes slip closed.

“Can he harm you in your dreams?” he asks with a wild shake when I don’t immediately open my eyes.

I can only manage a squint. “He won’t hurt me.”

Xavier scoffs. “Didn’t he just spend months trying to kill you?”

“We’re...past that now.”

“He’s an evil killer, Evie!”

“Maybe he was evil—before, but now—”

“He’s still evil! You did nothing that would change that.”

“He’s a weapon, like me—has been for a long time—just waiting to be wielded.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“Don’t I?” I ask, feeling more relaxed than I have in months. “I’ll be sure to ask him...what side he’s on, but I already know the answer.”

“Really? And what side is that, Evie?”

“Mine.”





In the darkness, my hand moves over the soft sheets beneath me. My breath exhales, a confession of life. With my cheek against the mattress, a golden glow falls upon the linens from over my shoulder. I frown. Slowly, I lift my head from the bed and rise up on my elbow. Brennus is stretched out next to me, his legs crossed. His black wings rest against a thick pillow. He plays with a golden orb of light in his hand in a distracted way, the light falls over his black leather jacket in such a way as to make it appear liquid, and then shadow.

“Where are we?” I ask while sitting up straighter. My hands smooth my rumpled hair. I’m light-headed, it’s as if I’ve had too much to drink.

Brennus grins as he throws the ball of light into the air. Its golden glow hovers above us, dispelling the darkness in our immediate area, but beyond the orb, the absence of light seems to go on forever.

“Ye’ll have ta tell me where we are. ’Tis yer dream.”

“I don’t know where I am.” I still fear him, no matter whose side he’s on.

“Where were ye when ye were drugged?”

My hands drop from my hair as I turn to stare at him. “How did you know?”

“Dere’s nuting here.” He waves his hand in the direction of the darkness. “Yer mind is so vivid—expressive. ’Tis unlike ye na ta have a tousand wee details. Ye see in light, na dark. Dis is da opposite of ye.”

“It’s scary how well you know me,” I murmur.

“I am scary, never forget dat.”

“Whenever I do, you remind me.”

That gets another grin from him. “Show me where ye were as ye fell asleep—ye were in dis bed, I take it?” Brennus runs a hand over the white fur blanket.

“Why do you want to know?”

“Because I’m interested,” he says with an unruffled mien. “I want ta know everyting about ye. Knowing where ye are is always a priority ta me. Dat should come as no surprise ta ye.”

“Yes, you’re a total stalker. The truth is that I don’t know where I am,” I confess. “All I know is that it’s cold—” I’m cut off as Brennus’ hand cups my cheek and his lips press to mine. His kiss is soft and sweet—so unlike his demanding personality. I fall silent, not responding, yet unable to pull away. Brennus’ eyebrow lifts before he pulls away from me. His lips curl in a barely suppressed smile and his green eyes shine with inner fire.

I pull my jumbled thoughts together enough to murmur, “Don’t kiss me.”

“Technically, we’re na even in da same room together.”

“It feels real,” I whisper.

“It does,” he admits with a gleam in his eyes.

“So, don’t do it.”

“’Twas na a kiss so much as ’twas an attempt ta clear da fog from yer mind.”

“It felt like a kiss—and what’s so funny?” I ask at his growing smirk.

He raises both of his eyebrows. “Nuting,” he replies, his smile spreading into a full-fledged grin. He glances around, causing me to do the same. The nothingness is being replaced by a watercolor of light. It bleeds from the ceiling downward, filling in the details and dimensions of my wintery bedroom. “I was jus tryin’ ta get a clearer picture of dis place.”

I grasp his hand; it’s warm in mine. “You can’t come here, Brennus. This place is crawling with angels.”

His eyebrow arches in question. “Are ye worried about dem or me?”

“Neither. Both. Neither! “I shake my head in confusion, dropping his hand. Turning away from him, I rise from the bed and walk to the fireplace. Heat radiates from it just like a real fire. I face Brennus as he stands. “I didn’t do what you asked.”

Brennus frowns, “Dat’s na surprisin’. Ye never do as ye’re told—ye always need more tellin’. Ye’ll have ta be more specific because I do na remember whah ’twas—”

“Emil’s alive. He’s here—in this time.”

Understanding enters his eyes. “I know.”