Page 102 of Curse of Thorns
I run past the wraiths, straight to the edge of the bubbling pit of muck. Then, I face them. They won’t kill me, that’s the problem. I need to die for this to work. Or I’ll risk the Night Bringer winning this game of will and wit. I will not let him win.
I will not let him, or his comrade, get his claws into me again. With my last breath, I will fight him. Literally. I’ll give my last breath to ensure their loss.
“Reahgan!” I call out. The other wraiths come floating up slowly, calling to me. Saying my name over and over and over again. “I’ll make a bargain with you, Reahgan.”
Rev
Reahgan chuckles lightly. “It sounds as if your lover is prepared to die.”
He turns from me and soars out the jagged glass that had been a window. I rush out the door, but the three other wraiths are surrounding Caelynn. They have her pinned between them and the black swamp.
They call to her.Come with us. Come.
“No,” she tells them. “I have other plans.”
In her eyes is a resolve like I’ve never seen. What the hell is she doing?
“Get back inside the house, Rev,” she yells. “It’s the only safe place.”
“What’s your bargain, dear?” Reaghan asks.
“Get them away from me, and we’ll discuss.”
My brother’s wraith twists in delight, a sick dance of smoking limbs.
“Get the male,” Reahgan demands of the wayward wraiths. Their eyes are unfocused. “I’ll get the girl. We’ve come to an... understanding.”
The slack-jawed wraiths pause as if considering, but finally, one prowls toward me, and the other two follow.
Then, with a smile that chills my spine, my brother’s broken soul turns toward Caelynn.
Caelynn who isn’t even holding a weapon.
I need to stop whatever is happening between them. They’re both my allies, and yet, I know them working together will only result in a shattered heart on my end. I’m supposed to hate her. I’m supposed to want her dead.
Maybe it’s only the mating magic talking but... I don’t have time to think it all through before the wayward wraiths are on me.
