“You’re supposed to be dead,” Thane snarls as he swiftly draws one of his swords.
“Look at me,” Maliek shoots back. “Iamdead.” The blue light fades from his hands, bringing emphasis to his gray, pallid skin. It was pale before, but notthispale.
Shuffling footsteps gather around us. My heart sinks in my chest as a handful of assassins surrounds us with their weapons drawn and eyes pinned on Thane.
“Let me guess.” Thane levels his sword at Maliek. I grunt as Maliek lugs me backward. “Seferin used the blackest magic he could conjure to bring you back to life. Tell me, how many lives has he stolen in order to restore your body?”
Maliek doesn’t answer. Instead, he presses the blade deeper into my throat. It stings as he holds it close, and I fight a whimper. One yank of his arm and I’ll be dead.
Just like Koa.
Thane doesn’t want to show it, but I’m certain I see his eyes flare as he focuses on the knife at my throat. “Let her go.”
“Now why would I do that?” Maliek wraps his arm tighter around my chest. “She’s your noble one, no?”
Thane lifts the sword as the other assassins close in.
“It’s amazing how far you’re willing to go for your selfish needs, Valkor.” Maliek chuckles darkly. “We barely had a problem crossing the island because you and your strange little crew did most of the work for us. And the hounds? Thank you for taking care of those for us as well. There were only two around the temple when we arrived, and despite losing four men, they were quite easy to take down, considering how distracted they were by the mess you made.”
Thane clenches his jaw.
“Now,” Maliek rasps, holding on to me tighter. “I wanttwothings. The SunderstoneandAzidel’s tome.”
“You’ll get neither,” Thane bites back.
I drop my hand, slowly reaching for the dagger sheathed at my waist. Thane watches the action, then gives a discreet nod.
“Has he told you yet, pretty little mortal?” Maliek yanks me sideways, and I pull my hand from the dagger as he twists me around, forcing me to face him. His eyes are just as cold and blue as they were, and there’s a massive scar on his forehead that wasn’t there before. Black veins resembling spider legs crawl from his throat to his chin. He definitelylooksdead. “Did he tell you why you’rereallyin this temple?”
“I know why I’m here,” I seethe.
“Do you now?” Maliek flashes a wicked grin, taking a childish peek over me at Thane. “Because during our hunt for him, we heard you were looking for the prosperity stones.”
“Maliek, I willkillyou!” Thane barks.
“Did he tell you that all the prosperity stones are gone? That they were usedcenturiesago to save previous lives? He’s known all along.”
Everything inside me becomes hollow. “What?” I whisper.
I look at Thane, tears forming in my eyes. He gives Maliek a blank look, and Maliek laughs as he studies the shock written on my face.
“Oh, come on now, Valkor. Tell her the truth for once.”
My body goes more numb with each second Thane avoids my eyes. I don’t trust Maliek, but I can’t help remembering the words Thane said to me before.
Promise me that you won’t be too disappointed if none of the stones are there.
Those were his words exactly.
Did he really know all along? Could he have been lying this whole time just to get me here for his own selfish reasons?
“Zaira, just listen to me…” Thane puts his hands out, pleading with me.
This time,I look away, my bottom lip trembling.
Maliek laughs at Thane’s supplication.
“Did he tell you he knew this information before your ridiculous quest even began?”
