Chapter 1

The bedroom door opened, and Adelaide Knight strode in. She was still wearing the black-and-silver armor she'd had on yesterday, with several dark red bloodstains on one sleeve.

My blood.

She walked over and pressed a small paper bag into my hands.

"Here's your favorite candy. I went back to Miller's Sweets in Southridge and got you some more." Her voice was gentle, the same way she always coaxed me whenever I had to take bitter medicine.

I lowered my eyes to the bag of candy in my hands. It was still warm from her touch, the paper slightly crumpled.

"Why aren't you eating it?" She reached out and ruffled my hair affectionately.

"Fabian drank your blood, and he looks so much better today. The doctor said he just needs a few more days of rest before he'll be able to get out of bed and walk." Her eyes lit up as she spoke, relief and happiness shining in them.

I blinked slowly and looked up at her. "Adelaide."

She froze. I normally called her Addie in that foolish, childish way of mine.

"What is it?" Her gaze dropped to the thick bandages wrapped around my chest. Blood was still faintly seeping through them.

Her brows drew together, and a hint of reproach entered her voice. "How did you mess up your bandages again? The doctor told you not to move around too much for the next few days."

As she spoke, she naturally reached for my shirt, intending to straighten it for me.

I took a step back, avoiding her hand.

Her hand stopped in midair.

"Reed?" She looked confused.

I turned and walked toward the bed. A plain canvas duffel sat on top of it. I'd just finished packing.

Adelaide followed me over. When she saw the bag, she couldn't help laughing. "What is this, another one of your treasure hunts? You dragged out all this old junk again?"

She casually nudged aside the edge of the bag. Inside was a kite with a broken string, a worn little wooden figurine, and a few coins. They were all things she'd casually given me over the past five years. I'd treasured every one of them.

"I'm leaving." I looked at her as I said it.

The smile hadn't even faded from her face. She clearly thought I was talking nonsense. "Leaving? Where are you going?"

She pulled over a chair and sat down, watching me with amused patience as if I were a child throwing a tantrum. "You little fool. You can barely find your way out of this house. Where do you think you're going to go? Be good. Stop making a fuss."

She pointed at the candy in my hands. "Eat your candy and get some sleep. Fabian said he wants rotisserie chicken from that place across town tomorrow. I'll pick some up for you too while I'm there."

I said nothing.

Right in front of her, I slowly opened the bag of candy. Its rich, sugary scent filled the room.

I walked over to the fireplace and let go. The candy dropped into the flames with a hiss. Within seconds, it began to melt, the smell of burnt sugar overpowering its sweetness.

Adelaide shot to her feet. "Reed, what are you doing?"

She strode over and grabbed my wrist. Her grip was very tight, and the sudden movement pulled at the wound in my chest. Pain drained the color from my face.

"What's gotten into you lately? I waited in line for half an hour to get you that candy."

She was upset. In her mind, a decorated general like her had gone out of her way to stand in line and buy me candy, so I should have been grateful.

I looked into her angry eyes. "It's dirty."

"What?" She hadn't heard me.

"I said the candy is dirty."

She'd gone to take care of another man with my blood on her hands. Then she'd used those same hands to buy me candy. It disgusted me.

Adelaide's expression darkened. She released my wrist. "Reed, I've indulged you because I care about you. That doesn't mean you get to keep pushing your luck. If you're going to keep acting like this, I won't come see you for the next few days."

With that, she turned and strode out. The door slammed shut behind her.

I stood there, watching the last ember in the fireplace go dark.