Page 69 of A Rift in the House of Bruin

“You better watch yourself before you say something you can’t take back.”

“I’m not hiding it. I. Don’t. Trust. You.”

“If that’s the case, maybe you should’ve been out there risking your hide instead of chasing shadows.”

“You bastard. You’re the one who kept me from her! I should?—”

“Enough!” Nico thundered. “We don’t have time for your sibling rivalry.” He turned to Jase. “How many losses did you suffer on the front lines?”

Jase shoved Lucius off and straightened his battered leathers. “More than half. Some tucked tail and ran. Fucking cowards.”

“Damn,” Nico muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Jase, gather what’s left of the sentries—anyone well enough to fight. Get them fed and armed. Luca, get Maxfield. Help himwith the wounded. Lucius…” he paused, giving his brother a warning look, “aside from keeping your damn mouth shut, keep an eye on Mic. Johan clearly has a plan.”

“Behold!” a thunderous voice bellowed across the ruined glade. We turned to find Amos striding into view, kicking a shackled male ahead of him. “The Divine has found me a traitor, and we are not pleased,” Amos declared. “Ahh, you saw that, didn’t you? That kick was for you,” he added with a manic grin, addressing the sky.

“Amos, what’ve you got?” Nico asked as the sage shoved the bruised prisoner to the ground.

“This one begged to speak with you. Claimed he came to plead for forgiveness. But between you, me, and the Divine—I don’t trust him. He reeks of Johan’s stink.”

“You’ve done well, Amos. Go get yourself a drink—you’ve earned it,” Nico said, clapping a hand to his back.

“Aye. All’s well that ends in a good drink. I’m sure there are a few sorry souls happy to join me before they meet the Divine.” Amos ambled off, flask already to his lips.

“I have a message for you,” the prisoner said, his hollow tone sending a chill up my spine.

“Is that so? Well, you have our attention. What’s so important that you’d risk your life to deliver it?”

“The king grows tired of your games. The rebellion ends now. On the next full moon, all ringleaders from the Raven’s Hand, and those conspiring in Dunharrow, will be added to the gallows—alongside your brothers. The king will spare the misguided... if you offer yourselves in trade.”

His voice was cold. Deliberate. His dark eyes scanned us with hollow malice, as though savoring every word. “If you refuse to lay down your lives, we’ll start the executions. The innocent will take your place. One every day… until you surrender.”

“You’re bluffing,” Nico growled. “Johan wouldn’t risk an all-out uprising.”

“The people you claim to love will trip over themselves to deliver your heads to their rightful king,” the male said, a slow smile curling his lips. “You’re a foregone conclusion, Nico, son of Artos.”

I felt the chill of Jase’s shadows wrapping around my ankles, coaxing me backward. Something about this male—the vacant sound of his voice, the glint in his eyes—it all screamed danger.

“Let’s see about that,” Nico hissed. “You’ll be happy to tell us everything you know... while we flay the skin from your body.”

“Nico!” Fallon called through the haze, running toward us, arms waving frantically. I stumbled back instinctively, legs moving of their own volition.

The prisoner looked up with a sneer. “You have until the full moon,” he snapped, “unless this is the end for us all.”

His shackled hands reached into his shirt. Sunlight flashed off the golden solric as he pulled it from its hiding spot.

“Get down!” Lucius roared and then his body slammed into mine, shielding me just as the world exploded.

Astrange, icy blast filled the air around us. For a split second, time stood still. The memories of my short life flashed before my eyes. Deafening silence consumed me—a stark and ominous contrast to the absolute chaos erupting around us. Dirt and smoke fell like fog thick with hail, pelting me and clouding my vision, obscuring yet another one of my senses. I gasped, desperately choking for air that wouldn’t come. The impact of Lu shielding me from the explosion had not only knocked the wind out of me—it had tossed us apart like we were nothing more than rag dolls. Panic. Fear. Terror. The onslaught of emotion was too much to process.

We’d all been nearby when the solric went off. What if—? No. I wouldn’t jump to conclusions. I’d feel it, if one of them had... I couldn’t even bring myself to finish the thought.

Catch your breath. Breathe.

The silence morphed into a high-pitched ringing. I rolled onto my back, wiping the grit from my face. Lucius appeared above me, horror in his amber eyes. He was alive! Thank all that is good—he was alive. Dust caked his face, and blood trailed down his forehead. His mouth was moving, but I couldn’t hear anything over the immense squealing in my ears.

“Mic! Can you hear me?”

There he was. The sound of his beautiful voice filled my head and wrapped my fear in a warm, soothing embrace. “Lucius! Yes, yes, I’m here. Are you okay? You’re bleeding.” I reached for his brow, wanting to further investigate his wound.

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