This cannot be happening.
Giant knots coil inside me as I take in my friend’s bloody, torn clothes.
The warriors shove Malachi to his knees beside me, and my heart shudders. His hands, bound behind him, are held up at a severe angle by one of the guards, so that his shoulders are pushed forward. He’s forced to lean his head and chest toward the floor to relieve the pressure on his arms.
Luc addresses Malachi. “Are you Kyanite?”
Malachi jerks his gaze to me, and my stomach plummets. His face is so swollen, he is barely recognizable. Sadness and regret burn behind his familiar gray eyes.
“Don’t look at her,” Luc snaps. “Answer my question.”
Malachi nods at Luc.
“Say the words.” Luc’s command pierces through me.
No. Please don’t say it.
Malachi looks directly at Luc, from his bent-over position, and proudly punctuates each word. “IamKyanite.”
Why would you tell them that?
Why?
These Bloodstone barbarians will show him no mercy. They will murder him for hiding his identity.
The heels of Luc’s boots echo against the marble floor as he paces before the dais. He looks at me and smiles, knowing he now has the upper hand. “See how simple that was, Sol? Malachi told us the truth while you continue to lie.”
Foolishly, I allow a brief glance at Hector. He looks past me, his gaze caught on the far wall. But I know he’s listening. Hector always listens.
My heart pounds as I will my nerves to settle, to not reveal the turmoil roiling inside me.
Ineedto see the man I married. Instead, I cannot see past that damn livery collar.
Oh, how I hate it. Oh, how it reminds me of Roland.
Painful knots tighten in my chest as I recall the day Roland killed Mother.
I swallow through the fire scorching my throat. I must find a way to save my friend. “Please.” That isn’t the right word. There is no right word.
They will take the man I once cared for from me. The one I grew up with and shared my first kiss with.
Luc stops pacing and glares at me. “Please?” he mocks. “How dare you plead with me?”
Panic seizes me like a bony hand squeezing my heart. I dart my eyes to Hector again, who still sits there, stoic and unfeeling, his gaze locked forward. Even the slightest flicker of emotion in his eyes would give me hope, but he doesn’t meet my silent plea.
“Hector will not help you,” Luc says callously. “Nobody will.”
It’s true. I don’t have many friends here. Kassandra was one of the only ones, andtheymurdered her.
Desperation grips me as I lower my palms against the cool stone. “Malachi has nothing to do with this. I implore you to let him go.
“Why are you begging for him? I thought he was a stranger to you?” How cruel Luc’s words are. How unfeeling.
“I—”
“—careful you don’t lie again. We already know you come from the same village.”
When I don’t answer, Luc nods at the guard holding Malachi. The guard pushes Malachi forward, holds his neck to the ground, and pulls a dagger from his weapon belt.
