Realm of Mirrors (The DeathSpeaker Codex Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

heightened awareness of danger.”
    Cobalt nodded. “Quite useful in a city like this. Since you didn’t seem to have access to your abilities, I sought to give you something that would’ve felt natural, even if you’d not known why.”
    “Oh. Well, thanks. I think.” That didn’t sound bad. But he’d also said ‘for the most part,’ which meant there was more. “And what else do they do?” I said. “There’s still the glowing thing.”
    “I did not expect them to glow,” Cobalt said softly. “You were so damaged, and I’d no idea whether…whatever caused that damage was still a threat. So I cast an enchantment that would boost your healing and hold back those who intended you harm, in the event you were critically injured. Your natural healing must have made the magic visible.”
    Right then I understood why he was so reluctant to explain this. It wasn’t a bad thing either. He just knew I must’ve been critically injured recently, because it was the only way I would’ve noticed the tattoos did anything.
    At the time I realized it, I’d been half-dead on the ground, surrounded by Milus Dei soldiers who had weapons and wanted to make me all dead. But they’d backed away, because they were afraid.
    I had no idea why. Until now.
    “Good news,” I said. “They work.”
    Cobalt gave a sad smile. “Yes, I gathered that. I’m only sorry you had to learn this firsthand.”
    “All right. This is all very touching,” Uriskel drawled as he straightened and strode toward the couches. “And now that you’ve had your explanation, you’ll get out of my brother’s house.”
     
     

C HAPTER 5

     
    I t was a real effort not to get up and walk out of the place right then, before Uriskel could do something unpleasant to make us.
    Cobalt rose to meet his brother. “You’re right. It is my house,” he said quietly. “That means I decide who stays, and who goes.”
    “Really, Cobalt. Your soft heart will be your downfall yet.” Uriskel bared his teeth at Taeral. “That one is dangerous,” he said. “And the female is a werewolf . You do realize what that means?”
    Sadie was on her feet before either of us could stop her. “ I don’t know what it means,” she said. “Why don’t you tell me?”
    “Your kind is a threat to us.”
    “You don’t know me!”
    “Aye. And none of you know me. Nor will you, ever.” Uriskel’s hands clenched into white-knuckled fists as he faced Cobalt again. “If you’ll not make them leave, brother, then I’ll take mine. Be it on your head if anything happens.”
    I thought I saw hurt in his eyes as he turned and stalked away. But I was probably imagining that. I doubted much of anything could hurt him.
    Cobalt watched him go, and let out a sigh. “I must speak with him,” he said. “And I hope you realize that he’s right. I should ask you to leave, if only because of the way you’ve treated him.”
    “He admits freely to what he is,” Taeral said. “Why should he take offense at the truth?”
    Cobalt’s jaw clenched. “Just because he’s used to being an object of contempt, does not mean he enjoys it,” he said. “Excuse me.”
    No one moved until he started down the stairs. Then Sadie reclaimed her seat next to Taeral, and said, “Maybe you were a little hard on him.”
    “Really. And he was so pleasant to you,” he said. “He is a murderous, scheming traitor. I’ll not discuss this matter further.”
    “Fine. Don’t.”
    The temperature in the room took a sudden plunge, metaphorically speaking. I suspected everyone would be sleeping in their own beds tonight.
    After an awkward silence, Will cleared his throat. “So,” he said. “You’re a werewolf, huh?”
    “Yep,” Sadie said.
    “What’s that like?”
    She smirked. “Overrated.”
    Just then, a raised voice drifted up the stairs. I couldn’t make out the words, but it was Uriskel—and he was really, really pissed. The shouting cut off, and Cobalt murmured something in return.