Cassiel looked up, his face now devoid of emotion. “I have something far more valuable than the phoenix. It is more valuable than both of our bounties combined.”
This caught Draven’s attention, his greed conveying him to listen. “Oh?”
An icy wave fell over Dyna. “No. Don’t do it!”
She called on her Essence. Begged for anything to surface, but it merely sparked weakly in her fingers. Damn whatever barrier that kept it locked away. She fought against Galen, and he backhanded her. The blow snapped her head back, leaving her ears ringing.
The angles of Cassiel’s face hardened. “Hit her again, and you will get nothing.”
“It really must be good if you’re confident enough to make threats,” Draven said. “Don’t forget I have the advantage here.”
Galen brought his dagger to her neck, and she inhaled sharply at the sting.
Cassiel gritted his teeth, fury darkening his features. “Believe me, it is well worth it. Have him remove the dagger.”
“No, I think I won’t. Not until I know what it is you’re offering.”
Dyna’s vision blurred. This wasn’t supposed to happen. “Don’t.” She shook her head. “Not for me.”
Cassiel ignored her. He kept his gaze fixed on the poacher.
Draven glanced back and forth between her and Cassiel’s resigned expression. “Well?”
“Have you seen a Celestial before?”
“Don’t mock me, boy. They died out five hundred years ago.”
“I am the last of my kind.”
The poacher arched a bushy eyebrow. “Your kind?”
“I’m assuming you know how much we are worth.” Cassiel slowly undid the buttons on his coat. “To have your own Celestial, well, that would make you as wealthy as a king.”
“No,” Dyna begged. “Cassiel, please don’t do this. Please.”
He took a deep breath and slid off the enchanted coat. His glossy black wings arched above him and gleamed in the morning sunlight.
The poachers gawked at him in wonder.
“By the gods…” Galen gasped and loosened his hold on Dyna.
She didn’t have the strength to stand. Her knees cracked against the deck.
Draven blinked, then glared at Cassiel. “Celestials have white wings.”
“Not all of us do.” He held out a hand to him. “I will prove it to you.”
The poacher took out a dagger from under his coat and pricked the tip of Cassiel’s finger. They watched in awe as the cut healed in seconds. A greedy sneer took over Draven’s face. “You’re going to make me a lot of coin, mate. But what is to stop me from keeping the lass as well?”
Cassiel raised his chin. “She is to go freely. My life for hers is more than fair. If you do not accept my terms, then you will lose in this deal. I have the ability to stop my heart. With my death, my blood and feathers become useless.”
Draven’s sneer faltered at the threat. “You lie.”
She knew he was, but Cassiel’s cold composure remained.
“Do I?” he asked the poacher. “Are you willing to risk it? I’m worth a hundred times more than the amount on that piece of paper.”
Draven glared at him as he contemplated the risk. “Aye, you’ll be more than enough. Let her go, Galen.”
