“Well met, Lucian,” Helena said, returning his warmth and turning her head slightly to peer at Kael. “And you are?”
“Kael, my lady. The pleasure is mine.” He gifted her with one of his dimpled smiles and bowed slightly.
Helena’s smile faltered as her eyes returned to the place where the real Effie stood. Her voice was notably cooler as she said, “I don’t suppose we require any introductions.”
Sweat rolled down Effie’s spine. The words, while not exactly a question, required a response. The only way she could do so, without undoing all of their carefully constructed illusions, was to reply in the same manner as the Triumvirate. Unfortunately, no one had explained how she was supposed to project her thoughts to those that weren’t Guardians. So far, everything had just been instinctual. She had a thought she wanted them to hear—or sometimes not, as the case may be—and it was done.
But Effie should have known better than to worry. The Guardians were masters of subterfuge. Not even she could tell which of them it was that answered for her.
“At your service as always, Kiri.”
Helena tilted her head, her eyes hardening. “Are you really? And all this time I thought I was just another one of your puppets.”
The sound of crackling leaves filled the small room. The men were amused rather than offended by her sharp-tongued retort.
“We are all pawns to the Mother’s plan.”
Effie raised a brow at that.
Helena shook her head and sighed. “I suppose we are. In any event, I’ve intruded long enough. Effie,”—she turned to face Nord—“will you join me for dinner after the meeting?”
Nord didn’t need any help anticipating Effie’s reply. “Of course, Helena. I’m looking forward to it.”
Helena beamed, hugging Nord once more. “I’ve missed you.”
Effie couldn’t contain her teasing reply, which Nord vocalized. “While you were on your honeymoon? I doubt it. Unless Von isn’t nearly as skilled as I believe him to be . . .”
Lucian’s gaze seared her. “And what do you know of his skill?”
Apparently she wasn’t the only one feeling possessive today. Effie smiled beneath her hood.
Helena laughed, unaware of the conversation happening between them. “No need to fear on that front.” She winked and then glanced at the men. “But perhaps that’s a topic better left for when we are alone.”
With a small wave, she backed out of the room, the door closing gently behind her.
There was a moment of silence before Nord dropped his illusion and Lucian murmured, “You can come out now.”
“That was close,” Effie said, pushing back her hood.
The Guardians nodded as one.
“Too close,” Lucian agreed. “We’ll need to be more careful about our practice sessions in the future.”
Effie shrugged off the robe, looking at the runes still decorating her arms. Somehow she’d managed to make them appear like they’d been drawn on with shimmering dust. “What am I supposed to do about these?”
“Put them away,” Kael offered unhelpfully.
She scowled at him. “Easy for you to say. How exactly do I do that?”
“The same way you made them appear,” Nord said, moving to stand beside her.
Effie wanted to stomp on his foot, but was proud of herself for resisting the temptation. “That would make so much more sense if I knew what I did.”
Nord shrugged. “It’s simple. You wanted to see your runes, so you pulled them to the surface. Now you don’t, so push them back down.”
She frowned. They were making it sound so easy. She risked a glance at Lucian, curious if he had anything to add, but he was leaning against a table, his arms crossed and his face neutral.
Frustration churned inside of her. Just when she finally thought she was making headway she started to drown beneath the weight of everything she didn’t know. True, it had only been a few days, but these three acted as if it was supposed to all be so natural.
It wasn’t.
Not even close.
Dealing with her visions was easier, and that was the understatement of the century.
The only time Effie felt like she actually had a grasp on her abilities was during her handful of times working with Smoke. A surge of wistful longing caught her by surprise and she cast another furtive glance at Lucian.
For all that they were the same person, she couldn’t help but miss her friend. No matter how many times they might have butted heads in the beginning, Smoke had always made Effie feel truly understood. He was the one, after all, who’d made a point to break the anonymity of his station and actually talk to her.
Effie sighed. It was silly. Every interaction she’d had with Smoke had just been a conversation with Lucian in disguise. She hadn’t actually lost anything, but a part of her still grieved. Now that she knew his secret, there was no reason for Smoke to reappear. No reason for him to use that campfire voice when he spoke to her.
It was a voice she’d come to associate with security and comfort. Effie felt both of those things with Lucian, but if she was being honest with herself, it wasn’t the same. Maybe she was simply too aware of him and who he was to her for those associations to be at the forefront now.
“Leave us.”
Effie jerked, her eyes shooting up. Lucian met her gaze, his dark eyes unreadable as he studied her. It was then she understood that her thoughts hadn’t been private after all. Lucian had heard everything as clearly as if she’d shouted it at him. Again.
The realization only fueled her frustration.
Without a backwards glance, Nord and Kael filed out of the room. The door shut behind them without a sound.
“I shouldn’t have to censor my thoughts just because you can eavesdrop at will.”
“No one asked you to,” he replied, his voice unexpectedly warm.
Just as quickly, Effie went from righteous indignation to an uncomfortable sense of guilt. It had never been her intention for Lucian to catch wind that she was mourning the loss of Smoke. He felt badly enough for deceiving her in the first place. She didn’t mean to make him feel any worse.
“Turn around, Effie.”
Her eyes widened, and she glanced around the all-too-empty room. Turning away from him would have her facing the bed. Just what in the Mother’s name was he up to?
“Why?” she asked, her voice betraying her nerves.
He pushed off the table and stared at her, letting his silence speak for him.
Effie did as she was told, knowing the quickest way to an answer was obedience. Even if it was begrudgingly given.
As soon as her back was toward him, Smoke’s voice filled her mind. Effie went still and then a shiver ran down the length of her back. Her eyes fell closed, and her breath left her in a soft whoosh. Lucian was giving her what she’d craved, and without his overwhelming presence to distract her, Effie could buy into the pretense.
If it were possible, she fell even more in love with him. He’d given her what she needed—what she hadn’t even thought to ask for—without hesitation.
“You know what to do. All the answers you seek are within you.”
Effie focused on the voice, letting it silence all the other doubts floating through her mind.
“A Guardian’s power is tied to their will. The stronger the intention, the more effective the results.”