I uncover Ten’s blindfold first, and my heart soars as he blinks a few times before those deep browns settle on me.
It takes everything I have to hold back from smothering him with my hug.
“Don’t worry, Little Siren. I know you want to. And if I knew that it would be safe, you’d have to fight me from letting you go.”
“You came for me?”
“There isn’t a place in this land I wouldn’t travel to get back to you.”
My blood races, and my eyes pool with tears as I feel his words through every beat of my heart.
As I move to his tied wrists, my hands start to shake as I avoid any contact, not wanting my racing emotions to cause him any harm. I unknot and free his hands, and I feel his gaze on me for every second it takes me. As I finally let the rope drop to the ground, I lift my eyes to his, and his calm sweeps over me. It pulses from him, soothing me with his own emotion. His eyes drink me in, as if he’s memorising every detail of my face. At that moment, it’s like he’s forgotten the world around us and has no time for anyone other than me.
“I’ve got you.”He hums the words through our connection, and I’m not sure if they were meant for him or me.
And then, in a blink, this version of Ten is gone, and he marches past me, right for mybrother.
“I want my fucking knife back.”
Ten squares up to Fenix, and all the calm from a moment ago evaporates as my heart thunders in my chest. I want to pull him back, hide him, anything that will keep him out of Fenix’s reach, but he doesn’t need to touch Ten in order to do him harm. He only needs to will it.
Fenix nods to someone at our peripheral, and the man I recognise from the ship, who came to steal the books from The Court, pulls the Ciro knife and hands it over to Fenix.
He holds it, weighing it as he clasps the hilt.
No one speaks, but all eyes lie on him as he assesses the weapon.
“I think we’ll give this to Ever for safekeeping. For the time being.” He turns and hands it to me, and I’m glad to take it back for Ten. My fingers eagerly wrap around the hilt, and I check that Crimson is free as I turn away from Fenix.
“Now. We have shown you this in an act of good faith. Your friends are fine. We’ve welcomed them into our camp.” Fenix stands with his arms outstretched as he pivots around.
I scan what he’s showing me, and see we’ve drawn a crowd, similar to when the Usher spoke; people seem to be drawn to the show.
“I want to ask you something again, Sister. Will you train with the Usher?” Fenix levels his gaze on me, his eyes now crystal clear, shining with all the cunning I know he has, because he has the ultimate bargaining chip now.
That’s what he meant earlier. He knew they were coming.
My eyes narrow on Kalan, trying to work out if he’s part of this plan or if it’s just a coincidence that Ten and Crimson are here with him.
Can I trust you? The words chime in my head. We’ve only uttered a handful of words over the years, but he was always kind. Why else would he be in my life if it wasn’t to help?
No doubt his true colours will show, and right now, I have mybrotherto deal with.
“No. I won’t.” My words are resolute and shield the nerves that are conspiring against my every breath.
Fenix smiles and then laughs at my response.
“How about now?” He turns towards Ten and Crimson.
They both freeze, their bodies going motionless, but I can hear the strangled sound of their airways being choked.
A fervour of rage erupts from within, and I charge at Fenix. I only need to grab hold—to make contact—to disrupt him.
My arm reaches, but he counters, slapping my arm away and twisting back on himself. He’s just as fast. Just as competent, and it’s like a spark to a flame. The flow of energy from the well inside my chest is now boiling with anger, and as I swing my arm, an arc of dense black mist descends on Fenix.
It engulfs us both, just like the time when Ravi tried to stop me and Ten. But he’s not here. And I’m not touching Ten. So…
As my anger shifts to concern, the mist dissipates, falling away, and I see Fenix has turned his attention away from my friends and levelled it all on me.
