Page 125 of Thief of Souls
“Mira—”
“No.” I hold out a hand, cutting him a sharp look. “I have a job to do. That’s all that remains between us now. And my half brother is still out there with his murderous little sycophants.” I can’t stop the tide of anger rising within me. “I’m done running. I’m so fucking done. You want to help? Then get her out of here!” I shove Soraya into his arms.
Keir flashes me a heated look. “Mira—”
“Don’t.” There’s no time to talk about what could have been or what we both want. It was a dream. It was always a dream. And girls like me don’t get to live those kind of dreams. “Just get her out.” And then I say the one word I’ve never allowed myself to let past my lips. “Please.”
“You’re leaving me with him?” Soraya demands, as if she’s well aware he still hasn’t forgiven her for trying to kill him.
“I trust him.” I stare into his eyes. “He won’t hurt you. I know he won’t hurt you.”
It’s a breathtaking moment.
Because it’s the truth.
I trusthim.
Even if he can’t trust me.
Keir glances toward the rocks behind me. The look he gives me is absolutely furious. “And what are you going to do?”
I gesture with Soraya’s goblin-forged blade. “I’m going to kill Ruhle.”
Soraya grabs my wrist, hauling me toward her with a strength I didn’t expect. “Youcan’t. He’s the heir apparent. Father willdestroyyou.”
These are dangerous games.
I rub my thumb over the hilt of her dagger. Ruhle is my father’s favored child. What Soraya’s saying has merit. Father won’t care if Ruhle attacked us.
But I care.
I am done playing these games. “Maybe it’s time for a new heir then?”
I’ve never been ruthless enough to kill easily. Not the way Ruhle and Soraya are.
I’ve never wanted to before.
But as my hand closes over the hilt of the blade, it’s surprising how easily it fits there. I have nothing left but this.
“Zemira!”
“Complicated,” I grind out, taking a step back into the forest. “I’ll tell you everything. I promise I’ll tell you everything when I return. Keep her safe for me,” I beg Keir. “I’ll take care of them and then come back to you. I promise. Ipromise.”
And then I Sift out of existence, before either of them can grab me.
25
The caves. They returned to the caves.
Of course. Ruhle knows I secreted the horn within them, and he won’t give up until he’s got his hands on it.
When we were in the training camps, we played a game. An ambush, really.
It was called Shadows and Assassins.
Soraya and I were the best at it.
But I’m alone now as I hunt my brothers. I have to draw them away from the horn. Soraya is counting on me. I don’t know how long she has left until the blight eats away at her—the healers within Castle Blackrock will be able to give me a better idea.
