Page 29 of The Shadow Sanctum

But he’s rationalizing my actions. As ruthless and competent as he is, he isn’t difficult to manipulate. If it’s his fatal flaw, mine is the temptation to utilize it.

Another memory pops into my mind. Liberty confessing Angel’s insistence on finding me.

“I wouldn’t have done this if I didn’t need your help.” My pitch dips low and pathetic. Not too much. He’d pick up on dramatics. But enough to fake sincerity.

Actually … I am sincere.

“I know we left things bad,” I continue. “I know I fucked up. But fuck, Angel. You’re the only family I have. I didn’t think that would just go away.”

He scoffs. “You tried to kill me.”

“I’ve made many mistakes I can't take back. That’s the biggest.”

Looking off, he clenches his jaw. Then unclenches it. He believes me. I think I might believe it too.

“You had my wife kidnapped. Surely, that’s the biggest.”

“It is,” I agree. “You’re right.” I let a moment pass and blow out a slow breath, head hung low. There’s a final blow, one final line to speak. And somehow, the words are thick as tar on my tongue.

“I would never have done it if I knew she was a mother.”

Two thick lines disappear from Angel’s forehead. His neck straightens as he watches me, but not for a lie. He knows it’s the truth.

“Liberty told me about your daughter.” I give him the slightest of smiles, almost sad. “We talked before she left. If you can believe it, we bonded.”

“Bullshit.” No sneer this time.

“She told me that she forgave you for your part in bringing her to the island… I couldn’t believe you told her.”

No response. But no lines remain in his brow.

“For what it’s worth, she said she forgives me too… If she can do that, after everything we put her through, why can’t we do the same? You betrayed me. I lost everything because of you. Then you took my half of our business and left me penniless. I can’t really afford to be pissed at you anymore, and I’m sorry, I know it sucks, but you can’t really afford to be pissed at me either.” I gesture around the snow-capped forest. “There’s a bomb around your neck, and you could use a guide…”

Angel’s boot pressing firmly into the snow as he stares down, considering my words. He looks guarded. He knows he shouldn’t believe me.

But he can’t help himself.

He looks up, glares, and shoves his hands in his pocket. Long strides carry him past me, his steps headed for the trees. As he passes, he leans in, pausing at my ear. “Don’t ever talk about my wife … or my child.”

He continues on, making me watch his back as he goes.

I suck in a long breath and let the cold air pass through my teeth. “Fair enough.”

CHAPTER 11

LUNA

The air in the mines is thick with sweat, damp stone, and something sharper. Rusted iron, old blood. It’s a scent that has long since faded into the background for most who live down here. But not for me. I’m reminded how little I visit the lowliest of my people.

Torches flicker low along the walls, casting long, skeletal shadows across the jagged rock. Thorne walks behind me as we let the echo of our footsteps mix with the ghostly voices of the mines. Even from a distance, I can hear the low murmur of voices, the occasional cough or groan of pain.

As we round the corner to the cells, the stench worsens. But I’m quick to smooth the wrinkle of my nose.

The burlap sack swings gently against my leg, the fresh bread inside still warm enough to release its yeasty aroma, a sharp contrast to the putrid air surrounding us. I keep my expression neutral and my posture rigid as we approach the Dregs' holding cell.

The Dregs fall silent the moment my silhouette appears in the doorway.

I step to the side and allow Thorne to open the door with the key hung around his neck.