Levent’s torso. What I saw made my breath catch in my throat.
On the kin’s back where his wings should have been was a thick spider web of scar tissue. It spread from his shoulders to halfway down his spine. If I had not been biting my lip to keep myself quiet already, my shudder would have been audible. I stared for a long time, tracing the cruel lines of an old wound until the kin finally covered it with his shirt.
As calmly as I could, I shut my eyes and feigned sleep. My heart was leaping with the shock and a sick excitement.
I felt like I had stolen a secret.
I heard more rustling of clothing, and the opening and shutting of the door leading into the hall. I finally relaxed.
Just as I rolled over and made myself comfortable again, there was the sound of knocking. I glared at the door to the hall and wondered if the kin had locked himself out. Then I realized the noise was coming from the room next door. It increased in urgency.
Groaning in complaint, I got out of bed and unlocked the door.
“Good morning, m’lady. My, you don’t look well. Rough night?”
The half-blood was obnoxiously chipper, and I was not going to ask why.
“What time is it?” I wondered aloud. I rubbed my eyes. It was far too light in this room.
“Well, I should have more accurately said ‘good afternoon’, but that’s beside the point. The kin wandered off a few minutes ago. Do you know where he went?”
My heart jumped at the mention of the kin. “No idea.”
The half-blood frowned. “We may have to enact some espionage.”
“Some what now?” It seemed like Rio would do anything to keep himself from boredom.
“I’m a bit perturbed that our dear master Itzallion would go out unaccompanied so soon after his recent incarceration. I would like to find out where he’s headed.”
As I walked over to my things and began sorting out clothing to change into, I remembered something.
“Last night he left as well. He came back, though, some time ago,” I said.
The half-blood made a humming noise in the back of his throat. “That makes