Malrik POV

They came to me the instant I stepped across the threshold. Dravina and Ansel moved like two halves of the same alarm her eyes wide, searching, the worry there so plain it nearly spoke for her. My aunt fell in behind them, face drawn tight with concern but masking it with scolding; her default armor.

“Why drag yourself into Roarke’s mess?” she snapped. “You’ve already got enough fires.”

I didn’t answer her right away. My gaze stayed on Dravina.

She stopped a breath ...