ASHER
Kane studied me with an amused smile. His appearance was as immaculate as ever, and he looked well-rested. I envied him. Up until last night, I hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in weeks. My mind had been too vexed by the viper situation to truly let myself relax, and my body ached too much from my escalating illness.
My head began to pound as if to remind me of the disease. Luckily, Kane didn’t seem to notice my turmoil.
“You seem to be growingly busy these days, dear brother,” he remarked with a sly grin, and then he pouted for emphasis. “I miss playing chess with you.”
“I have been busy,” I agreed, and I let out a small sigh. “How can I help you, Kane?”
“Wow,” he said as his eyes trailed over me. “This definitely isn’t the welcome I expected. You seem to have lost your sense
