Page 121 of Trial of Thorns
He eyes the bird squawking above us, and I know that truth is out too. He doesn’t know what she is, but Raven has exposed that she’s on my side. I suspect the same will be true for my other enemies, which means Raven is in danger now too.
My heart picks up its pace.
I turn to face Rev, my eyes wide, fear obvious on my face. “I will accept death without fear or anger. I’ve been ready to accept that for a long time. But knowing what you do about me now, I hope I can ask one thing of you.”
His eyebrows pull down.
“Take care of the bird, okay? Keep her away fromthem. Take her away from the fae realm and set her free. If you feel like you owe me anything, that would make us even, no matter the cause of my death.”
His lips parts, but he doesn’t speak. Finally, he nods.
Raven wisely flies off, across the rippling water to the shore, and I let out a relieved breath. She’s safe, for now. So long as she doesn’t do anything else stupid.
Both Rev and I pull out our weapons, and I build my magic, ready for a fight.
The island is calm, but I know better. It’s only about a hundred feet in width, fifty or so in depth. The only coverage is a few clusters of trees and lush, wild bushes. A soft breeze blows gently over our skin.
I step into the comfortingly clear water, boots sinking into the sand.
My heart thumps as we march slowly to shore and toward the fire blazing in the middle of the island. For the first time, I’m wondering if this is the real clue, or if it’s a distraction wrought by Brielle.
“Trees,” Rev whispers as we march over the beach.
I scan what I can see of the tree branches. Still nothing obvious, but he’s right—it’s the only place they could be hiding. I eye a boulder hidden beneath the sand a dozen feet from the blazing fire.
Without Kari, they can’t create a rock coverage to hide again, and they couldn’t get themselves under this one without her, so the trees make the most sense.
Unless...
I swallow, hoping I’m wrong. Not only because it would tip the scale against us, but because I don’t know if my heart can take more betrayal. It’s stupid because that’s what this game is all about. I guess I just didn’t realize how desperate I was for friends.
“Rev,” I whisper. He stops, grip tight on his blade.
I sniff the air, the gentle breeze smells of smoke, moss, and fresh water. There’s the slightest tinge of metal in the air.
Dammit.
“Tyadin is here,” I whisper, hoping our ambush won’t hear but worth the risk if they do.
Rev’s muscles go tight, his chest suddenly heaving. “Should we retreat?”
“Then what?” I say. “We need to complete the task, and they could wait here all day. We have to risk it.”
He nods, eyes focusing into a determined stare.
A plan forms in my mind quickly, and my lips curve into a smile. It’ll be fun at the very least. I march forward. “I can’t believe how terrible of a ruler Drake would make,” I say louder than before. “He couldn’t even kill his enemy right in front of him withfiveallies.”
Rev’s eyes grow wide. “He’ll blame you for betraying him,” he says.
“Even once I turned, it was two against four. And he still lost.” I laugh. “Will the people of his own court even want him as ruler when this is finished? He’s pathetic.”
“And Brielle?” Rev says, his voice growing confidence.
I keep my eyes on the boulder. Ready to be a class-A troll. If I’ve learned anything from the internet, it’s this. “Too weak. She’s only made it this far because of who she’s screwed.”
I almost laugh as the temperature around us rises several degrees. The bait is already working. She’ll lose it in only moments.
“You’re a way better kisser,” Rev says with a wink.
