Page 98 of A Dagger of Ice and Intrigue
My ears perked. Maybe this was a misunderstanding. Maybe I–
“–we can’t risk spilling her blood, they need it. Be careful, she’s dangerous.”
The pain twisted deeper in my chest.
That’s what I got for hoping and trusting–crouching in bushes to save my life.
As the figures spread out, one of them loomed right above my hiding spot.
Tall build, not particularly perceptive since he didn’t bother looking down.
Perfect.
I sprung from the bushes and struck my knife straight in his left shoulder. He howled behind his mask. Godsdamn it. I had to find a new hiding–
As soon as I yanked my knife out, he disintegrated.
Turned into a pile of acrid ash right in front of me.
The mask fell on top of the mound unceremoniously, sending a gust of dust in the air.
I staggered back, gaze wide and disbelieving.
Dark magic.
The kind Malhaven should have ridden itself of eons ago–
The astonishment cost me.
A meaty hand coiled around the back of my neck and dragged me off my feet.
I flailed as much as I could.
I swung my knife.
I kicked my legs.
I scratched and clawed.
The world spun on itself.
It only resettled once my back slammed against the strange rock. The shock of it slackened my hold on the knife, which slipped next to my feet.
I squinted my eyes shut as the hand closed in on my neck. Wide enough that I could breath, but unmoving.
I wasn’t escaping his grip for anything in the world.
Opening my eyes was one of the hardest things I’d ever had to do. Because the grim reality would stare back at me and I could no longer avoid it.
My gaze met familiar brown eyes.
The same stare I’d met a thousand different times, at dinner parties, weddings, and funerals. Who’d watched me grow up and tracked me in the training arena.
“What did you do, Orion?” I whispered, staring at one of the greatest Protectorate warriors, who was now pinning me to a rock with those famed fists of his.
The one who’d lied and set up a trap.
For me.
