My body reacted, remembering my training. Dodging the lethal strike, I responded in kind, swiping my daggers across his throat.
Two red lines appeared on his neck, and blood spewed from them.
The cold seized my limbs as his body hit the ground.
I'd killed a man. For years, I'd practiced for this moment, but . . .
Dropping to my knees, I ripped his helmet off. Bluish black hair spilled loose. Dull, ocean-blue eyes peered at me, lifeless.
This was one of my people, an Iceborn of Muirashi.
Ferris, the Stormborns’ prince, was with them, too.
Whoever sought our deaths went beyond a handful of Solhearts. Fingers trembling, I swiped my index finger through his blood, smearing it in crimson. Touching my finger to Siotha's ice-cold blade, I watched as the blood hardened into a crystal. And came to a decision.
I'd fight—but not the way Quinn wanted. I'd track down every man involved in this organization. Akemi might have been a mere pawn to them, a meaningless death among hundreds.
But he would become their undoing. I would fill his shatterblade necklace with their blood.
Rising, I slipped the blood of my first kill into the folds of my robes and ran toward my next victim.
Chapter 31
Mare
My hands trembled uncontrollably as I led my elk and Reese's white mare down the snowy streets. Certain death awaited me outside these walls.
Either the monsters would claim my life, or . . .
Or Reese would, when he saw the truth.
How could I possibly hide it? The scáde would welcome me. Shadows might erupt from my blade, though I hadn't called them.
I gasped, lifting my eyes from the road as a shadow stepped into my path.
Liam grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. "You don't have to do this," he said, hushed. "We can leave. Right now. Just you and me."
My brother was thinking the same thing I was—ride out with a Paragon toward the dragons who welcomed me, and I was lost.
"I can't just run away," I said, voice cracking. "What about these people?"
"Reese has it handled. "
"Does he? Did Killian? Did Ishii?" I leaned closer. "The Paragons might be impressive, but they're still men."
Liam swallowed. "Mare, please."
"I want to run, Liam, I do."
My inner turmoil nearly spilled from my lips. My fear, my doubt. But this was my little brother—I had to wear a brave face for him. So, I donned a mask to hide the terror.
"But I'm not a coward like you.” I smiled, and brushed his hand off. "I always wanted to be someone. This is the perfect opportunity to earn some fame."
Liam's eyes narrowed, like he saw right through me. He probably did. But he responded in kind, hiding his fear.
"Why would I aspire to fame? Well-known thieves don't live long." He smirked. "The governor here is a real cunt. I think I might use the chaos to relieve him of a few choice items."
"Delinquent." I pushed him away. "Don't get caught."
