Shadow Study. Maria Snyder V.

it. “Yes?”

      I pressed my fists to my legs. “We’ve been busy.”

      “Doing what?”

      “Rescuing a kidnapped brother, for one.” I gave him a pointed look.

      “Uh-huh. Too busy to get married. That’s a new one. Does that mean he asked—”

      “Drop it.”

      “Wish I could,” he muttered.

      And then I understood. “Who put you up to this? Mother?”

      He ducked his head. “She just wants you to be happy.”

      “And why in the world would she think I’d be happier if I was married? If anything, it would make it harder to be apart from Valek.”

      “Maybe she sees how happy I am and wishes the same for you.”

      Oh.

      “And I’ve been picking up quite a range of emotions from you, sister dear. You’re never this easy to read.” He turned to me as if he’d just figured it out.

      “Wait,” I said. “We’ll discuss it with Fisk.”

      By the time Leif was satisfied no one had followed us, we had looped around to the south side of the market. Glancing over his shoulder, he slipped into a narrow alley. I stayed close to him and kept my hand near the hilt of my switchblade. The alley dead-ended.

      “Are you lost?” I joked.

      Instead of a sarcastic retort, he gaped at me, horrified. Without thought, I yanked my weapon and triggered the blade, turning.

      “No one is there, Yelena,” Leif said in a tight voice. “You just confirmed what I thought was impossible.”

      I faced him. He had discovered I no longer had magic. It hadn’t taken him long. Once again, Irys’s advice about lying low rose in my mind. Smart woman. Perhaps I should listen to her.