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“How often have you used the power?” Torin’s voice rose, her trembling hand grasping the table for support. “Please tell me you haven’t used the magic.”
“Not much, just…” I glanced uncertainly at Zor; who stepped closer. “Once, when I first unlocked it, after Raz and I…uhm..” My face grew hot, then I decided Torin didn’t need to know that. “And twice today.”
“Howdid you use it? Tell meexactly how.”
“I killed a Reaper. The one Solok put into Ember.”
“Fuck.”
“You killed Ember?” Zor asked gently. “Oh, Anaria…” He reached up, nearly touched my face before his hand dropped away. “Did the Reaper get close to you? You’re not hurt, are you?”
I swallowed. “No, not hurt. Lyrae told me…”
“What?” Zor and Torin shouted at the same time.
“Please tell me Lyrae doesn’t know about Ember.” Torin whispered breathlessly. “Or you claiming the magic.”
“Lyrae’s the one who explained how to use Fae magic. Because she’s working for thegodsdamned Oracle.” When Torin’s eyes narrowed, so did mine. “No one has told me anything. Not. One. Thing.” I snapped in frustration. “It’s not like I can make an informed decision.”
“Lyraetold youshe’s the Oracle’s servant?”
“Yup.” I shrugged. “Looks like everyone has an agenda except me.” Torin’s mouth fell open.But seriously, how many more secrets could these people keep?
“And as far as Lyrae and the Oracle are concerned, they have no further use for you, so you’d better watch your back.”
But no one was listening to me.
“Youknew about Lyrae?” Zor growled, prowling closer to Torin, the owl shifter baring his pointed teeth. Zor snarled back and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. “And younever fucking told me?How the fuck do you expect us to operate as a team when we’re blind?”
“Exactly my point.” I muttered in agreement.
“Lyrae is one of theOracle’s spiesand I never told you. The fact was never important. Until now.” Torin looked like she was going to faint. “Anything else? Any other disastrous decisions you’ve made to jeopardize a hundred years of careful planning?”
“After I killed the Reaper, I was forced to kill Ember.” I crossed the room and wrapped my hand around Zor’s arm, since I had to hold ontosomeone. He didn’t even flinch, he was that furious.
“She was still alive…but not. My best friend, who followed me all the way from Valarius, was rotting on the fucking ground in front of my eyes. Lyrae gave me a knife. She told me to stab my friend in the heart.” My fingers dug into Zor’s arm, but I couldn’t stop myself. He put his hand over mine, his callouses rough as he squeezed just once.
“So, I did.”
“You didn’t.” Torin had gone white. “Please tell me you didn’t.”
“Lyrae tricked me. She was able to trick me because you never told me the truth.” I was breathing hard enough it was difficult to get the words out. “I killed someone I loved and now the Fae magic is bound to me through blood magic. Permanently, according to Lyrae.”
“Oh, my gods.”
“Oh, my gods is right.” My whole body shook. “Just so you know, Lyrae didn’t give a shite about what happens to you, or Ember, or me, she only cared about the magic. Because the Oracle wanted me to claim the Fae magic in a way that can’t be undone.”
“Except it’s not Fae magic you claimed.” Torin fell into the closest chair, breathing as hard as I was. “This is…something else.”
“What do you mean?” I was so frustrated. “Riddles and hints, is that the only language you speak?”
“This magic corrupts.” This time, when her white eyes found mine, I couldn’t look away. “You’ve seen the Fae King? The Oracle?” She pursed her lips. “They were once like you and me. What you see is the magic, transforming them into something else.”
Horror shuddered through me so violently Zor slipped his arm around my waist to hold me up.Gods no. I’d been warned there was a cost…butturning into…that?
“I…I have to figure out what to do about this mess. In the meantime, stay away from Lyrae.” Torin leaned into the shifter, so pale I wondered if she’d pass out. “Zor, get her back to Blackcastle, don’t let her out of your sight.”
“Rather difficult to do when I have a war to wage.” Zorander growled.
