“Goodbye, Carrick.”
He frowns at me, opening his mouth.
“Velle!”
I whirl. And the slow, sickening sensation of doom slides over my body as I meet Gerith’s eyes. His face is so pale he looks gray, his cheeks streaked with tears. He’s panting, leaning over, out of breath from running.
“It’s Ev.”
CHAPTER THREE
I’m sprinting instantly, dimly aware of Carrick and Gerith falling into step next to me. But I’m soon leaving them behind as I hurtle through the streets, dodging mothers with children clutching their skirts, couples walking arm in arm, pickpockets flittering through the crowd.
Oh gods. Oh gods,please.
My lungs burn, but I push my knees higher, pump my arms harder.
Something is breaking inside my chest.
No.This is not it. This is not how I lose my brother.
This is not happening.
I slide around the corner, and our home comes into view.
Evren lies slumped next to our front door, gasping for breath. Bran stands a few feet away from him, a thick cloak pulled up over his head, his expression calm as he watches my brother suffocate.
“What did you do?” I demand, aiming for Evren.
“I didn’t touch the child,” the vampire says, his voice dripping with offense.
“Evren. Just breathe.”
Red blotches stain his face, his breaths little more than shallow gasps. He clutches at my shirt and attempts to speak. But he can only achieve a choked wheeze.
If I could, I’d rip out my own lungs and hand them to him.
Gerith drops down next to me, his face white. Behind him, Carrick curses. “We need to get him to a healer.”
His words are useless. I’ve been to every healer in the Thorn and none of them can ease these attacks for longer than a few days. Besides, we don’t have time. This is worse than any attack Evren has suffered through so far. I pull him even closer, as if my proximity can give his lungs the air he needs.
“Would these help?” Bran pulls two lung tonics out of his cloak pocket.
Carrick goes very still. Slowly, he gets to his feet. The vampireignores him. Overconfident bastard. I’ve seen Carrick fight, and he might not win, but he would make Bran hurt.
“You know they will. Please, give them to my brother.” I’m not too proud to beg. Not when Evren’s eyes are this wide. Not when he’s staring at his twin as if he’s silently saying goodbye. Not when Gerith is shaking, tears streaming down his face.
Bran says calmly, “I will. Just as soon as you agree to our deal.”
“Deal?” Carrick grinds out.
“I need to present the emperor with a gladian.” Bran leaves out the little detail about being his spy andkillingthe emperor. “Your choice.”
Carrick’s laugh is bitter, terse. “No.”
“Velle,” Gerith says, taking his brother’s hand.
Evren clutches at my shirt until I meet his eyes. He’s shaking his head frantically at me, still wheezing too much to speak. His lips have a blue tint, the muscles around his chest and neck bulging.
