Page 68 of Children of Blood and Bone

I have to let the darkness in.

It stings worse than the burn that sears in my chest when I fight my powers down. Each time a foreign thought hits me, my skin crawls. Every flash of another’s emotion makes my lips curl.

Magic slithers inside me. Venomous, like a thousand spiders crawling over my skin. It wants more of me. The curse wants to fight its way in—

With a lurch, my foothold crumbles.

Stones at my feet tumble like an avalanche.

I grunt as my body is slammed flat against the wall, my feet flailing for a new hold.

“Inan!” Kaea’s shouts from the ledge below. More of a distraction than an aid. She waits with the ryders and other soldiers while I stake out a path.

Rope and flint slip from pockets of my belt as I swing. Amari’s headdress slides as well.

No!

Though it’s a risk, I release my left hand, catching the headdress before it evades my grasp. As my feet discover new footing, memories I can’t fight swell to the surface.

“Strike, Amari!”

Father’s command boomed against the stone walls of the palace cellar. Deep underground, where his commands were law. Amari’s small hands shook, barely strong enough to lift the iron sword.

It wasn’t like the wooden swords he forced us to spar with, dull blades that bruised but never cut. The iron was sharp. Jagged at its edge. With the right strike, we wouldn’t just bruise.

We’d bleed.

“I said, strike!” Father’s yells were like thunder. A command no one could defy. Yet Amari shook her head. She let her sword fall.

I flinched as it clattered against the ground. Harsh and piercing. Defiance ringing in every sound.

Pick it up!I wanted to scream.

At least if she struck, I could defend myself.

“Strike, Amari.”

Father’s voice hit an octave so low it could crack stone.

Yet Amari clutched herself and turned away. Tears streamed downher face. All Father saw was weakness. After all this time, I think it might have been strength.

Father turned to me, face dark, flickering in the shadows of the torchlight.

“Your sister chooses herself. As king, you must choose Orïsha.”

All the air vanished from the room. The walls closed in. Father’s orders echoed in my head. His commands to fight against myself.

“Strike, Inan!”Rage flared in his eyes.“You must fight now!”

Amari screamed and covered her ears. Everything in me wanted to run to her side. Protect her. Save her. Promise we would never have to fight.

“Duty before self!”Father’s voice went hoarse.“Show me you can be king!”

In that moment, everything stopped.

I lunged forward with my sword.

“Inan!”

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