Eban by Allison Merritt Page A

them, half afraid to move or speak. Eban’s shoulders slumped and he seemed reluctant to say anything. She couldn’t imagine Tell shooting him, but in Berner anything was possible. Had Tell lost his mind? Calling her by another name, assuming Eban had let a bad angel into town?
    Eban sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “That’s not Rosemar. You don’t have to threaten her. Beryl was sick this morning and I am a doctor, in case you forgot.”
    â€œThey’re the same thing,” Tell growled. “Isn’t that why your new friend is out there?”
    Eban nodded. “I memorized part of the Ars Notoria and asked for help. Eliakim answered, for what it’s worth, which isn’t much. While you were at the Pit, I drew the sigils. I’m as surprised as anyone that it worked. When he refused to help because of some treaty with the Gray Side, I tried sending him back. He said he plans to stay until he’s given everything some thought.”
    â€œYou’re an idiot, you know that?” Tell lowered the crossbow, letting it hang at his side. “You can’t invoke angels willy-nilly. It has to be done when the planets are aligned and at certain times of the day. All those long-ass prayers have to be said at the right time too. Not just whenever Eban gets his head stuck up his ass and decides to do it. When the hell did I turn into the responsible one around here? I thought you could read.”
    She knew by the way Eban remained silent that he hadn’t considered any of the things his brother said.
    Tell looked at her again. “And you. You’re not sick. You reek like someone dipped you in a vat of whiskey. I’ll bet if I went down to the saloon they could tell me all about your midnight escapades.”
    Beryl shrank lower behind the sheet. “I don’t remember what happened.”
    He snorted. “The way you smell, I don’t doubt that.” His keen gaze returned to Eban. “Explain.”
    â€œNot now.”
    â€œCat’s outta the bag, Eb. She’s knows something’s not right here.”
    Eban’s expression change from defeated to furious. “I’ll fix this. It’s not for you to worry about.”
    â€œOh, it ain’t?” Tell laughed bitterly. “Wystan is supposed to be back anytime, there’s a half-loony angel gallivanting around town, and you’ve got a naked girl in your bed that doesn’t know up from down. You’ve fixed enough around here by my way of thinking.”
    â€œThis is my clinic, my life, my choice. If you don’t like that, you’re free to leave.”
    Tell fixed Eban with a stare. For several seconds, the older Heckmaster didn’t move.
    â€œAre you looking into his head?” Beryl asked quietly.
    Tell didn’t answer. Eban lunged for him, but Tell was expecting it and stepped out of the way.
    â€œHow many times do I have to tell you not do that to me?” Eban growled.
    â€œYour brain is so fuzzy, I can’t make out a damned thing in there. I don’t even know whose side you’re on anymore. I’m not gonna be like Wys, nearly getting all of us killed because he didn’t want to put blade to flesh on Sandra. It’d be easier to kill you now and have it done.”
    Tell moved so fast, Beryl didn’t see him until he was directly in front of Eban. One second the bow was down, the next a silver bolt was pressed into Eban’s neck. It was still firmly settled in the crossbow, but Tell’s finger was on the trigger.
    â€œNo!” She reached out, although she was too far away to do any good.
    Sweat beaded Eban’s forehead as the sharp edge of the bolt nicked his skin. A dark red drop of blood stained the bolt head.
    â€œDo it, then. Unless you’re afraid.”
    Eban’s voice was harsher than Beryl had ever heard it. Both brothers’ irises were red instead of the normal blue. She shook with