Page 58 of Quicksilver
“I want two.”
He tossed his head back and let out a bark of laughter.“What?”
“My brother HaydenandElroy.”
Looking a little hysterical, he threw his arms wide, Nimerelle casting off wisps of black smoke. “Who thefuckis Elroy?”
“He's my friend. He's important to me. And,” I added quickly, the thought occurring to me out of the blue, “he's a master smith. He can probably help me to make the relics for you. He'll be useful.”
Fisher narrowed his eyes. “Can he channel metal energy the way you can?”
“I don't know. I don't think so,” I admitted.
“Then he's useless to me. You get one. Choose.”
“I can't choose! How am I supposed to—topickwhich one of them lives and which one of themdies?”
“You share blood with one of them. The answer’s simple.”
It really was that easy for him. He'd make this decision easily and walk away without a scrap of guilt.That'swho Kingfisher was. “Ican't—”
“Let me put this another way for you. I have one relic. I can bring one person at a time back with me. I will not—cannot—travel through the quick twice in one fucking day with nothing standing between me and that nightmare. It’ll kill me once and for all. So youwilltell me to go and fetch Hayden for you, and wewillbe done with this farce.”
A part of me wanted to fight him on this, but I knew he was telling the truth. He really would lose himself if he traveled twice without his pendant. I felt sick to my stomach, but I gave him a quick nod. “All right. Fine.” I took a deep breath. “Hayden.”
Kingfisher took Nimerelle, gritting his teeth as he closed his hand around the black metal and dragged his palm along the blade. Blood welled and dripped between his fingers, splattering onto the stone. He pointed Nimerelle at me.
“Blood, Little Osha. It's the only way to seal this between us.”
I balked, backing away from the sword. “I'm not touching that thing again. Can't you just take my word for it?”
He snorted humorlessly. “Cute. Andno. Use the dagger I gave you if you like, but you're giving me your blood. It doesn't have to be much.”
I eyed him warily as I drew the dagger from the thigh holster he gave me earlier, hissing as I drew its edge across my palm. A tiny cut. The smallest I could manage, but it bled. Kingfisher held out his hand and pulled me to my feet, making a derisive sound when he saw the cut I'd inflicted upon myself. “Baby.”
I pulled a face at him. “Just do whatever it is you need to do already.”
“I go and I try to get your brother. You help me and assist me in any way I ask you to, and you do as you’re told. You agree to this pact?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“You understand that this is abloodoath? And you will be bound by this oath until death?”
“Yes! Gods, I understand! I agree. Just get on with—”
Kingfisher slapped his palm against mine and held on tight.
Ice shot through my veins. Black smoke clouded my view, stealing my vision, curling its way up my nose, snaking its way down my throat. It cleared almost immediately, and...nothing had changed. My palm was still bleeding. It still hurt like hell. Whatever he'd done, Kingfisher seemed satisfied, though.
“Give me something of his,” he demanded.
“What?”
“Give me something of Hayden's. What, you think I can just show up in your godsforsaken city and immediately find someone I've never met before? I need something of your brother's so I can locate him.”
“Oh. Right.” That made sense. But...shit. “I don'thaveanything of Hayden's with me.”
Kingfisher rolled his eyes. “Of course you don't. Is he your full brother? Do you have the same parents?”
