Page 56 of Trial of Thorns
Rev
The whole time Brielleis in the orb, I pace, my hand over my gaping mouth. I curse under my breath at her every mumble. I don’t care who hears our plans to kill the murderer. Most of the fae in our world would consider us heroes for such an act. But I’m terrified Brielle will lose. I’m afraid her resolve will flip like a switch and she’ll attack.
She stands, like something suddenly changed, and I hold my breath as she screams and almost charges.
When she finally exits the orb, I let out a relieved breath. She doesn’t so much as glance in my direction. She stops to catch her breath before taking her place next to the murderer, but she does so looking down at her feet, her face blank and fallen.
I don’t watch the next several fae. Instead, I sit and focus on myself. I calm my heart, and I prepare to face my brother’s death.
The male immediately after Brielle fails—Caspian of the Glistening Court. He charges some unknown foe and is tossed from the orb like trash from a bin. I am tempted to celebrate his loss—it weakens my strongest opponent considerably, but I refrain because I need to focus. I haven’t won this one yet.
Drake passes and exits the orb with a stupid ass smile on his face. Kari passes. Then, it’s Rook’s turn. I hadn’t thought to give him a pep talk—convinced he’d make it through just fine. I let out a relieved breath as he exits the orb on his own.
“Reveln of the Luminescent Court!” the Pix announces, and I stand, my heart in my throat.
I enter the orb and the cheers disappear. I am surrounded by silent darkness.
A form appears in front of me, and my heart pounds. Her face is out of focus but also clear. I squint trying to figure it out. Who is she?
She has beautiful dark eyes with flickers of golden light cascading from them—I’m not sure I’ve ever seen eyes that bright. Her hair in on the lighter side, but the color is hard to tell with the shadows of the orb cascading over her. She smiles and something about the way she looks at me causes my stomach to flutter.
I’m supposed to feel something about this strange girl. Have I ever met her? I don’t know. My mind feels hazy. There is message here the orb wants me to know, and yet it’s veiling it at the same time.
“Hello, Rev,” the girl whispers, her voice light and sweet. I take a step toward her, drawn to her like a magnet.
“Who are you?” I ask, so confused. What is my task?
“She’s just in the way.” I jump at the sudden voice echoing around me. “Dispose of her, little brother.” His tone is dismissive. Not an order.
“Reahgan?” I ask.
My brother’s voice chuckles around me, filling the orb with strange joy and power that scares me.
“Why?” I ask. I know I have to obey but the task is unclear.Dispose of her. Am I meant to kill her? Some innocent strange girl? I’m confused...
“She’s no one and she’s in the way. She’s dispensable.” I shiver as the darkness in my brother’s voice. The... wickedness.
Another form appears behind the beautiful girl. My brother approaches from behind her, a cruel smile on his face. He grips her hair and whips her head backwards. She yelps in pain, her eyes twisting in fear as my brother throws her to ground.
I freeze. What is this? My brother didn’t... he wasn’t....
“Don’t stop it,” a new voice commands me. And I watch helplessly as a bright light shines from my brother’s palm, paralyzing the beautiful girl.
I cover my hand with my mouth, appalled. Shaking.
No. My brother didn’t do this. He didn’t.
I blink as a dagger protrudes through his back. My brother stumbles and turns toward me, the dagger sticking right through his chest. Through his heart.
His dim eyes meet mine. “Avenge me,” he whispers.
My body is on fire. Rage and fear and panic fill me. What the...
The girl stands, and her face changes. At first, tears glisten over her cheeks, pain and fear in her eyes, but her eyes grow dimmer, darker. Her face stripped of all emotion. Her features turn sharp, her eyes sallow. She’s still beautiful, but now... I choke on a sob.
