I left the interrogation to Claude, with a head shake, and immediately tended to Etienne. I dropped to my knees beside him. He was pale. His lip was split, and his breathing was shallow. I wish nothing for those responsible for this to blow up into bloody pieces.
"Etienne. Hey." I cupped the back of his head, fingers trembling. "Open your eyes. You're alright."
His lashes fluttered. "Jade…?"
"Yeah, yeah. It's me." My gaze roamed around his body, and I instantly fumed after seeing his wrists bruised. "What the hell? Why are you walking around with injuries? You could have—"
Before I finished my sentence, Etienne's hands shot up and covered my mouth. He shook his head lightly. I understood what he meant from the fear in his eyes.
With a loud sigh, I helped him sit upright and whispered, "Where is Noir?"
"The Duke took him somewhere."
"The Duke?"
Etienne nodded. He opened his mouth to continue, but then a scream bellowed in the alley, gaining our attention.
