Page 210 of A Liar's Twisted Tongue

Before the blade hits her neck, Wendy’s arm raises and both of Lilac’s stop. “Neither of you, for that matter.”

“I can’t move,” Lilac whispers and the Arcane inside of Wendy grabs me by my chin, pulling my face down until we are eye to eye. It is not Wendy’s eyes I am met with. Here, there is life, death, experience. A familiarity I wish I never knew.

Wendy’s head nods, an approving smile flashing at me. “You know.”

I drop the spatha that it touches and rip myself from the creature’s hand. “Yes,” I spit. “I know.”

Wendy steps back. “Not the whole story, I presume.”

I step in front of Lilac. “Release her.”

“She seems… defiant.”

“She won’t strike again,” I promise, looking at her over my shoulder.

The Arcane sneers and the scar running down Wendy’s chin protrudes. “If I must.” With the wave of a hand Lilac’s sword falls forward, her body carrying through with the swing. “So who am I?” she smiles.

“Luc—”

“It’s alright,” I say without moving. This isn’t her fight. It’s mine. “You killed my parents.”

It starts laughing the deepest, throatiest laugh I’ve ever had the misfortune to hear. The body collapses forward and it claps, slowly, until the cacophonous noise ceases. “Well, yes. I must say, I am a bit ashamed you don’t know the rest. I always thought my offspring would be more astute.”

Lilac steps forward behind me and I raise my arm. “I’m no Arcane,” I spit.

“No.” It smiles. “Come on. I know you can feel it, boy.” It steps around me and hisses, “It’s in your bones.”

I step away from it. “What do you want?”

“A reunion.” Wendy’s hands are as hot as Desdemona’s when the Arcane pulls a piece of hair from my forehead. But Wendy’s only burn. “To bond with my son.”

Shaking my head, I say, “I am not your son.”

Wendy steps back. “There’s much hidden, my boy. Starting with Silas and Ramona. Give me your favor, and I will enlighten you of your history.”

“Don’t,” Lilac says strictly.

“Do,” Wendy says softly.

“What do you know of Silas and Ramona?” Father and Mother. Shadows materialize under my feet, and I block Lilac with mine.

“Everything where it pertains to you. Your favor?”

“Your name?” I answer.

“Lucian!” Lilac shrieks.

“Icarthus,” Wendy says.

“You have my favor, Icarthus.”

I feel my defenses diminish and I turn, grabbing Lilac’s shadow-ridden wrists before she strikes. “If you kill it, you kill her.”

Lilac yanks her wrists away from me. “What are you doing, giving your favor?”

“It knows my parents, Li. If you don’t want to hear it?—”

“I’m not leaving you this time.” She picks up her sword again. “You’re my brother by choice now.”

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