Page 178 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

He has a brother.

An older brother.

He always has.

‘One down, two to go.’

Kade and Riley break apart. ‘Two to go?’

‘Yes, dear friend. Come sit. Drink tea.’ Vasily watches them as they sit. Lachlan quietly double-checks Kade really is OK, giving his hand a brief squeeze when Kade confirms he is. ‘You truly do not like tea, Harker?’

Riley wipes his face. ‘No.’

‘I can make it some other way.’

‘I said no.’

‘You know, I was curious to meet you.’

‘Can’t say the same.’

Vasily tips his head to the side, hair spilling like raw silk. ‘We have been killing each other’s people for long time.’

‘I killed more of yours.’

‘You are unhappy I told my friend the truth?’ Vasily sets down his cup.

‘No.’ Riley takes a deep breath. ‘I’m actually grateful for it.’

‘Grateful people say thank you.’

‘It’ll be a cold day in hell before I thank you for anything.’

‘Zanoza v zadnitse. Moving on. Is too much to hope that you already know what he is?’ Vasily asks Kade, gesturing to Riley.

Kade frowns. ‘You just told me he’s my brother.’

Before Vasily can speak, Lachlan’s expression smooths out in sudden understanding that speaks of former suspicion.

‘He’s not human.’

‘Ah, good work, Lock!’ Vasily praises happily, patting his shoulder. ‘You are finally opening your eyeballs!’

Kade looks at Riley.

Not human.

‘Is good you knew,’ Vasily tells Lachlan. ‘Tell me what else you know.’

‘I know about the…’ Lachlan gestures between Kade and Riley. ‘The binding bond thing.’

‘The Death Knot.’

‘Yeah. I know they’re bound together, that they share injuries.’

‘And death.’

‘And death, yes.’