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

Then there was more shouting.
    “Don’t worry. They fight all the time. Brother stuff,” Will said. But he looked distinctly uncomfortable, and I had the feeling this wasn’t one of their usual fights. “Hey, I’m sorry about your scars,” he said to me. “It’s not easy having people talk about that stuff.”
    I shrugged and looked away. “It’s fine.”
    “Sure it is.” He stared at me until I looked back. “I was in an abusive relationship when I met Cobalt,” he said. “It left scars. And it was a long time before I could talk about them, or tolerate anyone asking about them.”
    So that was why Cobalt looked to him before he started talking about my ‘circumstances.’ I felt bad for him, but sympathy didn’t change anything. I knew that better than most. “They’re old scars. Ancient history,” I murmured. “No big deal.”
    Of course, I was lying my ass off. They were a big deal, to me, and I still couldn’t talk about them. But my ex-family was no one’s business, especially someone I’d just met. I hadn’t even told Sadie about my past. Taeral knew only the bare minimum—the Valentines had hated me, and enjoyed proving their hatred in creatively violent ways.
    Another floor-rattling slam from below saved me from having to continue the conversation. It wasn’t long before Cobalt reappeared, looking more than a little drained. “Well, at least you’ve no need to fear for your lives,” he said. “Uriskel swears he’ll no longer protect me, and will leave me to suffer the consequences of my own bad decisions.”
    Great. I hadn’t actually been fearing for my life, until he said that.
    Cobalt looked at Will. “Is there more coffee, love?” he said. “Maybe I could manage to drink some this time. And perhaps our guests would care for a cup?”
    Taeral stood abruptly. “No need. We’ll take our leave, as well.” His rigid posture suggested he was about to say something stupid—again—but then he relaxed with a slight frown. “Thank you for the explanation, and for protecting my brother when I could not,” he said stiffly. “And I apologize for insulting your…Uriskel.”
    With that, he pivoted and headed for the stairs.
    “Um. I’d better go with him.” Sadie got up and offered a tentative smile. “Nice to meet you guys,” she said. “Gideon, we’ll meet you outside? I’ll just make sure he doesn’t do anything he shouldn’t.”
    I nodded. “Thanks, Sadie.”
    When she was out of sight, I faced Cobalt and made a helpless gesture. “Big brothers, right?” I said.
    “Exactly. Sometimes, there are no words for them.”
    “Tell me about it.” I smirked and held a hand out. “Good to see you again. And I do mean that.”
    “Likewise.” Cobalt shook, but his expression pulled into a vague frown. “I couldn’t help but notice that your brother is…troubled,” he said. “In fact, there seems to be something hanging over all of you. Some dark cloud.”
    “Yeah. There’s something, all right,” I said. Wasn’t going to get into the Milus Dei issue, or the more immediate problems we had with Daoin, and my being the DeathSpeaker. Taeral had plans to deal with those immediate problems—but it wasn’t going to be easy. “We’re figuring it out,” I said. “It’s a process.”
    “I imagine it is.” Cobalt cocked his head slightly. “There are few resources available to the Fae in this realm,” he said. “But should you need help, I may be able to provide it. It’s something of a habit of mine, helping other Fae who’ve been banished or otherwise aren’t welcome in Arcadia. A habit my brother tends to disagree with,” he added with a crooked smile.
    “Thanks,” I said, thinking I’d probably never take him up on it. Mostly because Taeral would kill me.
    I shook hands with Will. “Nice to put a face with the voice,” I said.
    “Always glad to meet a listener.” He smiled. “Also, what Cobalt said. I’ll help too, if I can. Even if you just need