“Fine,” I said, my voice a little hoarse. “Fine. I don’t talk anyway.”
“No, that’s one of your redeeming traits. You can keep your mouth shut.”
“I couldn't hold the Bridge for long though. A uniquely unpleasant experience.”
Édouard laughed humorlessly. “It was unpleasant for the rest of us. They won't say anything. They're loyal.”
I nodded, pursing my lips because I hated owing anyone a favor. In addition to the advantage I’d gain from keeping an enemy ignorant of my Skills, I'd always been ruthlessly private as Maryonne Capulette's daughter. I didn't want to be measured against her, or Danon. Measured up and found extremely lacking—other people’s disappointment was always tedious, especially when they realized you didn’t care.
“Why isn't it considered a Skill?” I ignored his faint grimace at my ignorance.Melodrama; he already knew my formal education was deplorable.
“It is an ability that is passed down through bloodlines. You will need to speak with Nora. I don’t remember everything.”
And Skills had nothing to do with genetics.
“The strength and controlthatability demonstrates should be beyond you.” His eyes flared with anger again, hard and black as coal. “Unless, as I said, you've been holding out on me. Who's been training you, Aerinne? What favors did you exchange?”
Ah. Notjustpissed because I'd surprised him. He thought I might have compromised the House by seeking tutelage from someone dangerous—anyone who wasn’t him.
“I can't tell you, but don't worry, I'm not compromised.”
Still not a lie. Though I writhed with questions about the “someone I knew”. Maybe Darkan was an aspect of myavatarthathad somehow verbalized, and possessed knowledge passed down through genetics. I was half Fae, it was possible.
But if I was wrong. . .who the hell was Darkan?What?
The thought of someone in my head all these years who shouldn't be, terrified me. I shoved the fear down becausethat wasthe last emotion I wanted Édouard to pick up on.
“Somehow, you're lying to me,” he said. His shoulders relaxed, the anger draining from his face. “Halfling.”
He grabbed me and flung me against the wall. I cursed, tasting blood in my mouth.
“Fuck! What the fuck are you doing, Édouard?”
There was a blade at my throat. “Youwilltell me everything,” he said, menace in his gravelly voice. “And if you don't. . .”
I'd never feared my older cousin before now. I wasn't a girl who brushed off a threat.
“Or what?” I asked. I went for the jugular, my best chance to get him to release me. “You'll hurt me? I suppose since my mother died on your watch, you can't sink any lower.”
He recoiled like I thought he would, but with a brief grapple pinned me to the wall again. I couldn’t use the advantage of surprise or underestimation with him.
The air went arctic.
Death entered the room, and not mine.
Aerinne.
Not now.I cursed internally. The last thing I needed was to be distracted by Darkan. As soon as I heard his voice I forgot. . .what? I hadn't forgotten anything.
Édouard approaches the line of my tolerance.
It's a family dispute,I snapped.I don't need you right now.
You will always need me. Though there may come a time whenthatisn't true.He was silent for a beat.Verywell.But Aerinne, if he harms you, I will return his tender care in kind. So prove to me my intervention is not required.
How the fuck could Darkan fulfill a threat against someone living outside of my head?
The door opened. We both stiffened, as if caught naked and making out on the desk. Tereille shut the door behind him with a quiet click and took us in.
