stared. I cursed myself for answering too quickly; he’d probably already realized how desperate I was, but I’d just confirmed it. “Why? You stand to benefit hugely from helping me. If you free me, Cly Redbriar’s going to be screwed, and we have basically the same future goals regarding her family anyway. Why do you need to demand extra?”
“Because I can.” Arcturus looked down at me, every inch the cold, ruthless lord. “Your skills are formidable. I want them in my employ.”
My temper rose. Just because I was dealing with worse assholes in my life didn’t mean Arcturus wasn’t a terrible person to have power over me. “In other words, you want me to trade my old master for a new master.”
“And you will do it, and be grateful that you have the opportunity,” said Arcturus softly.
I gritted my teeth, knowing he was right. At least the Nightfelds didn’t hate my mom with a personal, vicious passion, as a stain upon the family. Anything would be better than her current situation. And for that I’d sacrifice anything it took.
I would kneel for him. If I could figure out how best to go about it while shackled to a sofa.
But as I was rearranging my chains, a shadow fell over me. I looked up, nonplussed, and saw that Acubens had sauntered over to my side.
“Cassandra doesn’t need your help,” he said, glaring at his brother. “She has me. I’ll go with her.”
“Acubens,” Arcturus snapped.
“I’m going to break into Redbriar Manor,” he declared, daring Arcturus with his sharp grin. He was beautiful and infuriating and he knew it. “We’ll rescue her mom, and then after we’re out, I’ll set the place on fire. That’ll distract them. It’s a great plan.”
“Acubens,” said Arcturus dangerously. “This is House business.”
“No it’s not,” said Acubens, propping his arms on the back of the sofa, deceptively casual. “This is my business, because I’m going with Cassandra to rescue her mom. Your business is to decide whether you want to come along.”
Arcturus’s expression was absolutely frigid. I suspected he was weighing the pros and cons of just knocking Acubens out and dragging him away.
It was to his credit that he didn’t. “Very well,” he said. “Since I’m merely the hanger-on to this little expedition, tell me about your plans.”
My gaze met Acubens’s, and we shared a grin, small, quick, a little shy. I almost felt bad for Arcturus. Almost. “Well, my current plan doesn’t involve trying to sneak into Redbriar Manor,” I said. “The family might be weakened, but the magical defenses built into the place aren’t. It’s meeting the enemy on their turf.”
Arcturus nodded slowly, his expression growing intent. In the end, his desire to hurt the Redbriars was winning out against his displeasure. “I’m pleased to see you’ve put some consideration into this,” he said. “And what would you propose instead?”
I leaned in. “We’re going to make them come to us. And here’s how…”
#
Afterwards, Wraith took the Nightfelds back first, so they could start setting things into motion. As they left, Darshan stepped out of the shadows where he’d been listening quietly.
I turned toward him hesitantly. “Sorry about leaving you out of the conversation,” I said. “I… I wanted you here the first time I told the truth. But then I ended up hashing out logistics with the Nightfelds. I guess I should’ve asked Wraith to take you back earlier. I should’ve—I hope you weren’t—” I broke off, looking away.
“Cassandra,” said Darshan gently. “I’m not going to be offended that you were too busy rescuing your mom to coddle my feelings.”
I made an awkward, ineloquent noise. I was used to people who treated me like crap; with them, at least, I knew where I stood. I kept my armor up and my weapons at the ready. If they hit me, I hit back. But I didn’t know how to deal with someone who was better to me than I deserved.
Up close, under the dim lighting, I saw the bruises mottling the smooth brown of his skin. He’d tried to heal them, but he’d run out of magic partway down the side of his face, leaving purpling smudges at his jaw.
He saw where I was looking and gave a half smile. “Hey, you’ve seen worse on me after Practical Education. I’ll be fine.”
“Did you think that she was me?” The words burst out.
He didn’t answer immediately, which was itself an answer. “I’ve gotten beaten up a lot over the years,” he said quietly. “I’m used to it.