Page 232 of The Sin Binder's Destiny

I try a new strategy. A full-body pantomime of her slicing her hand, adding a dramatic gasp, and then pointing back to him, and then to the sky. I don’t even know what that last part was, but it felt necessary.

Elias coughs behind me. “You just asked him if he plans to knife-fuck God.”

“Idid not,” I whisper.

“You definitely did. He’s probably going to kill us now.”

Lucien reaches into his back pocket and slowly—slowly—lifts the knife into view. Doesn’t wield it. Just… lets the handle glint in the sun. Like a casual threat. He tilts his head. Then slips it back into his pocket, expression unchanged. No wink. No nod.

Just a look that saysyes.

I spin back toward the group. “He’s going to murder someone.”

Caspian, seated on the grass beside Ambrose like he’s halfway to giving up on all of us, lifts a brow. “Are we surprised?”

“No,” Riven says flatly.

“I am,” I say. “I thought we were building a nice dynamic. Like, he’s the reluctant war general, and I’m the mischievous bard who thaws his icy soul with inappropriate shoulder rubs.”

“You’ve touched his shoulder?” Elias asks.

“Metaphorically.”

“Still. Don’t.”

Ambrose watches Luna as she laughs—too distant to hear us, but close enough I know she’ll sense it if this spirals out.

“Maybe it’s a butter knife,” I try.

“It’s not.”

“Could be decorative.”

“It’sLucien.”

“Exactly! Maybe it’s a fashion accessory. Maybe he’s reinventing himself. You know, casual stabs for casual walks. Very avant-garde.”

I’m spiraling. I know it. But my gut—my glorious, chaotic, lust-addled gut—is telling me Lucien isnotfine.

And hewilldo something reckless.

Again.

I stand. “We’re going in.”

“Silas, no—”

I don’t wait. I march forward. Mustache crooked, beard askew, courage wildly misplaced. Lucien watches me approach with the disinterested stare of a vampire politely deciding which artery he’ll feast on first. I stop just short of them. Luna turns to me slowly, eyebrows lifting like she knowsexactlywhat I’m about to say.

“Nice day for a stab,” I tell Lucien casually. “You packing for a picnic or a ritual sacrifice?”

Lucien doesn’t blink. “Would you like to find out?”

Luna sighs. “Silas—”

“Just trying to protect the sanctity of your blood, love.”

Lucien’s mouth quirks.

---