“Sammael?” Asa replied, getting up from his desk where he’d apparently been recording notes. “Why would House Sammael come here?”

“I have a few guesses,” Nic replied drily. Clearly Alise hadn’t attempted to recruit Asa in her defense plan, which made sense, as his House Refoel vows prohibited him from using his healing magic to harm anyone, even if gentle Asa could bring himself to do it. “I’m going inside.” She gestured to the infirmary unnecessarily.

“Fine.” Asa sighed. “Just don’t … upset him.”

How she could upset an unconscious man, Nic didn’t know, but she agreed. Once inside the infirmary, she was surprised to see Narlis seated at Gabriel’s bedside. She was stroking his hands, which were folded over his breast as he lay on his back, talking to him quietly. As Nic drew near, she heard Narlis telling Gabriel that he was a good boy, her usual mantra with him. The aged familiar beamed as Nic came into her line of sight. “He’s a good boy,” she confided to Nic.

“He is,” she agreed, worried that Gabriel looked worse than he had that morning. More… sunken. She edged a hip onto the edge of the bed, the one she’d slept in beside him long since removed, and laid her hand over his heart. It beat steadily, but no sense of his silvery-bright magic greeted her touch.

“He’s lost,” Narlis said, bobbing her head when Nic’s startled gaze flew to hers. “Can’t find his way back.”

“How do you know?” Nic stretched her senses, trying to feel what Narlis did. Unless, of course the older woman was suffering from some sort of delusion, which was far more likely. It was a mark of Nic’s hope—and despair—that she was willing to grab onto any shred of possibility.

“I know.” Narlis nodded wisely and tapped her temple. She returned her gaze to Gabriel and patted his hands. “He’s a good boy.”

Nic choked back the tears that had been wanting to spill all morning. She didn’t feel like iron-willed Lady Veronica Phel. Losing Gabriel had hollowed her out in some essential way. Lost. Gabriel was lost. She was lost. They were all lost.

“Well, help him find his way home, would you?” she asked Narlis, managing a wobbly smile.

Narlis nodded gravely. “He’s a good boy.”

“Why don’t you take a little break?” Nic suggested. “I’ll sit with him.”

“You’re a good girl,” Narlis replied, pushing slowly to her feet and going toward the relief room.

Nic scooted closer, then simply repositioned herself and lay down on the narrow edge beside Gabriel. Keeping her hand over his heart, she nuzzled into the side of his neck, kissing the soft spot under his ear that always made him light up with desire. Not this time. His skin remained cool to the touch, no answering flare of magic. Brushing her lips against his ear, she began whispering.

She didn’t mention Sammael’s approach. If Gabriel could hear her at all, she didn’t want him worrying. “I love you,” she told him, though he should know that by now. “If you really are lost, all you have to do is follow that thread. You and I are joined forever, and no matter what they do, they can’t destroy our bond. I’m right here. All you have to do is open your eyes.”