I take a long, shaky breath, refusing to allow fear to blind me.
“Albion.”
He ignores me. It’s too late. I’ve lost him.
Albion bursts into motion, but I’m already moving—vaulting over the sofa, launching off a table, and hurling myself toward Jorah.
I dodge around Albion and dive between them.
Albion slams into me, knocking my knife from my hand.
I scream, lashing out with a fist.
But it’s not my fist that pushes him back. It’s my shield, shimmering blue silver between us. My sigil warms.
“I know that power.” Albion’s eyes widen. “Griffon power.”
I still have no idea how to control the shield, which means it’s unlikely to last long. Gripping Jorah’s hand, I pull him behind me, ignoring his weak struggles.
“I can help, Arvelle!”
I keep one eye on Albion and the strange shield between us as I shove Jorah toward the silver door. “I need you togethelp, Jorah. Go.”
Jorah turns and bolts out the door. Relief makes my knees weak.
“You can’t hold that shield forever,” Albion says. His face is expressionless now, his eyes colder than I’ve ever seen them.
That’s not good for me. When he was out of control and raving, I had a chance. If his logic takes over …
A wave of exhaustion sweeps through my body, and my shield disappears. Albion gives me a gentle smile, but his eyes are still frigid.
“It won’t hurt for long, Arvelle. You’ve had a difficult life. So much pressure to keep your brothers safe. To put food on the table. And you’ve lost so much. Everyone you’ve ever loved has died or left you. It’s made you hard and cold and a little mean.”
Fucking Leon. Clearly he was even closer to Albion than I’d thought.
“I’ll make it quick,” Albion says. “And when you return, it will be hand in hand with your best friend.”
Oh, he’s good.
“And my brothers?” I rasp out, widening my eyes as if I’m considering his offer. Slowly, I move to the right. Toward my dagger lying on the ground just ten feet away.
Victory flashes in Albion’s eyes. “They’ll be looked after,” he promises gently. “When you return, you’ll be reunited once more. You could bring your mother back with Kassia. She could have another chance to be the mother you deserve.”
My chest aches. Is there anything Leondidn’ttell Albion?
“Viderux likes to play with those who take their own lives.” Albion’s voice lowers, turning cajoling. “He doesn’t believe in mercy for those who waste the gift of life. You would be sparing your mother an eternity of torture.”
“You’re telling me Viderux would give up one of his playthings?”
Eight feet.
Albion takes a step closer, his eyes wild. I freeze.
“He won’t have a choice. You don’t understand the magnitude of Mortuus’s power. That’s the true reason he was locked away.”
I shove a hand in my hair, sidling to the left. “You’re saying they locked him away because they were envious.” Seven feet.
“Yes. They wanted his power for themselves. They refused to listento his pleading. Just like you refuse to listen, Arvelle. Do you think I haven’t noticed you going for your knife?”
