Page 233 of Harbinger

“That damn pup of yours won’t shut up, so, if I know my brother, and I really do, he should be here any …” He pauses as the door to the balcony bursts open. “… moment.”

“Arden!” Bishop skids to a stop just inside the doorway, breath catching hard when he sees us. Hero is right behind him, baring his teeth.

For a second, Bishop only stares, the color draining from his face. “You’re … alive.”

“Surprise.” Cassiel digs the blade deeper into my skin, cutting a thin slice that stings as the air hits it. I whimper, and Bishop zeroes in on the sound. He takes a single step forward.

“I would think that through, if I were you,” Cassiel warns him. “Unless you’re ready for me to cut her pretty throat.”

“We can talk this out,” Bishop says quietly, raising his hands like he’s approaching a wild animal.

“Oh, we are going to talk,” Cassiel promises. “Just like me and my darling Arden have been while we waited for you, but first, we need to deal with this little matter. Do you want to kill her, or should I?”

I’m going to die.

No.

Absolutely fucking not.

In this moment, I am not a harbinger. Not a Ravenell. I’m just a girl with every reason to live.

Every reason to fight.

I drive my elbow back blindly, but he anticipates it and wrenches me closer.

He clicks his tongue in my ear. “Careful, or you’ll slit your own throat.” He turns his attention back to Bishop, who’s edged slightly closer. “I thought we were clear on the rules. I am in charge. I know that must kill you.”

“Why?” Bishop asks the question I couldn’t get an answer to.

“I’m not without justification.” He flourishes the dagger for effect, and for a second, I draw a long breath, but then its blade is back at my throat. “You took something that belonged to me. It only seems fair I take something of yours.”

“She doesn’t belong to me.”

“Doesn’t she?” Cassiel nuzzles my hair, and I fight the urge to gag. “She trusts you. She knows what you are. At the very least, that means you belong to her.”

Bishop’s nostrils flare wide like he’s barely reining himself in. “The power is corrupting you. You can stop this.”

“I could, but I don’t think I will. You see, there’s a clarity that comes only when you stop fighting it.” Cassiel drops his chin to my shoulder, and I cringe. Everything about his touch feels wrong.

“What do you want? The patronage?” Desperation edges Bishop’s voice. “You can have it back. We can lie. I’ll help you … just let her go.”

“He can be quite sweet when he wants to be,” Cassiel whispers to me, his warm breath tickling my ear. “But I have my sights set on something bigger.”

Bishop stares back. “The throne.”

The dagger feels colder against my skin, and every muscle in my body locks.

“Why stop there? It’s a big world, little brother.” Ambition drips from his words. “You could join me. We could take the crown together. You just have to stop fighting your power. Give in to the fury.”

“There is no cycle.”

“Oh, there will be. Can’t you feel it? We’re so close.” He kisses my cheek, and Hero lets out another warning howl.

Bishop snarls and lunges forward a step. But Cassiel wags an index finger, never losing his grip on me. “Uh-uh. You know what Mother always said. We must share our toys.”

Cassiel trails the tip of his blade down to where the mark hides beneath my shirt. “I think the Stars want their raven back.”

Bishop stills. “Don’t. Please. I’ll do anything.” He draws a shuddering breath, eyes wild. “Take me. You can have my vestiges. All my power.”