Page 171 of Eternal Ruin
She startled at the venom in those words but recovered. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Her apology relaxed his stiff shoulders.
You sound like June, a part of her whispered.
“Susenyos told me you two found the blade artifact together. That means you must have forgiven him after what I saw—”
Samson whirled, making her withdraw deeper into the couch. “Never. I wouldhave forgiven him if he kept his promise, but you know him. How quickly he turns like a viper.”
“P-promise?”
“Find all the artifacts and become Sage. Only a Sage is powerful enough to do what is necessary.”
Necessary. “What’s that?”
He faced her head-on, then his eyes dropped to her blackened hand. She tried not to look, afraid the pain would magnify.
“Bring Talaa back.”
Kidan’s ears buzzed. Not sure if she’d heard it right. “Isn’t Talaa dead?”
It was quiet, then in a low, biting voice, he spoke. “A Sage is capable of breaking the binds, yes, but also setting new ones. I can bring her back once I am one.”
Kidan’s mind whirled. This was never about true power for him.
It was… love. Tragic, mad love.
She concentrated on the golden wisps entering his chest.
“Is June still with the Nefrasi?” she asked in her gentlest voice.
“Yes,” he said.
She shut her eyes, taking a moment before asking, “And where is that?”
Samson went stiff, grip tight on the poker. He regarded her with a concealed expression. His attention drifting to the black tendrils spreading up her arm. Kidan did not look. She was using every atom in her body not to tremble in pain. He stared at it, a long time.
“Where is the Nefrasi hideout?” she asked, beseeching with every part of her. “Where is GK, please?”
The house dimmed around him, safe and comforting enough to tell the truth.
A gasp built in her throat, a cry but she held on to this feeling, drawing strength from Susenyos’s words.
I trust you.
Everything else was tolerable as long as there was one soul to share a burden with. Susenyos had taught her that. Kidan aimed this feeling toward Samson, erased every trace of loneliness until he regarded her with black, unquestioning eyes.
“In an estate in Drummond North.”
Finally. Dummond was a location about two hours from Zaf Haven town. Tears of relief leaked from her eyes.
“Thank you,” she whispered, and sagged.
Her concentration broke. The veins had spread up her arm, leaving her completely immobile.
I’m done.
The room snapped back to normal, free from the pentagon.
