Kite doesn’t suck.
It was rather...sexy. Not Falcon or Eagle or Vulture.
Kite.
A sharp bite of a name. Violent and dangerous, but also whimsical, with its fellow paper-bow-flying counterpart.
I shifted closer, placing my hand over his. “Tell me.”
He froze, his eyes filling with uncertainty.
“You can say it,” I whispered. “I know I ruined it, but it’s best if you tell me.”
His forehead furrowed. “Ruined what?”
Before I could reply, he licked his lips and asked, “Promise you’ll still like me after I tell you?”
My heart skipped, fluttering faster at the thought offinallyknowing. I couldn’t hide the ugly truth anymore. The lies I’d spun disintegrated. It didn’t matter I was Jethro’s plaything; I wasn’t prepared to give Kes up. Not when faced with all my future held.
I wanted to keep him. I would play two games. One twisting Jethro around my finger and another evolving Kite’s and my conversations to something deeper.
I could have both.
I nodded. “Yes.”
He sighed, his large shoulders rising and falling. “Fine. It’s Angus.”
My world screeched to a halt. “What?”
He shifted, his body wary. “I know it’s not the greatest name in the world, but it’s my given name. People called me Gus as a kid, which I hated. Luckily as a Hawk, we’re given nicknames. I demanded everyone use mine from my eighth birthday onward.”
My mind wheeled.
Pieces slowly realigned, slotting unwillingly into place.
No.It couldn’t be.
Horror filled my heart.
Could Kestrel be using another name or could it be worse...
Could Kite be Daniel? That psychopathic fiend who would die at my hand the moment I had the opportunity.
Holding my chest, I demanded, “What’s—what’s Daniel’s nickname?”
Kes smiled. “He hates it. That’s why he sticks to his true name.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Can’t say I blame him, though.”
Stop stalling!
“What is it?” I croaked.
His eyes tightened, staring at my shivering frame. “Buzzard. His nickname is Buzzard.”
I couldn’t breathe.
It’s not him.
Then...
