Page 75 of Trial of Thorns
Drake steps forward, all pompous and proud. “Enough talking.”
“Believe me,” Kari says more softly. “It is inallof our best interest we complete this plan.”
Rev’s eyes bore into me, and finally, I turn to face him. I can’t read his expression. Shock and pain and anger and confusion. Desperation.
My heart still pounds, still aches at Brielle’s insinuation. I suspect I know what she saw, and it wasn’t the pastorthe future. Meaning Rev did nothing wrong, but he’s going to die over it.
“Caelynn, would you like to do the honors?” Drake says.
My blood runs cold. Panic seizing every inch of my body as I stare at the dagger he holds out to me.
“Why?” I stumble over more words. I can’t even think.
“Finish what you started,” he says.
Even Brielle is staring in shock. I can’t breathe as I stare at the same dagger I used to kill Reahgan. Tears well in my own eyes now. How? How could he know?
“Drake,” Kari warns. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
I look up to the sky for one moment, but Raven isn’t anywhere to be seen. My heart aches, it cries. But for the first time, I can see what she saw. I made a choice a long time ago. I wasn’t strong enough then.
Now, I’m right back to where I was. And I have to make a choice.
I turn to the four high fae beside me, one at a time. They’re in perfect position. All in a line, like a firing squad.
My soul quiets. “I’ll do it.”
My whole body is burning with rage as I grip the obsidian dagger in my tight fist. I turn to face Rev and step forward slowly, already curling my power within, focusing. Building.
Rev’s emotions are clear as daylight now. Hate. Pure hatred fills him. “You would.”
I smile.
“What Drake doesn’t know,” I whisper softly and everyone goes utterly still. “Is that he just put the nail in his own damn coffin.”
Caelynn
