I still have time. I can figure something else out with or without Thane.
But first I need to make it off this damn island.
I snatch the dagger from my waist and move past Thane. Sliding the edge of the blade across my uncut palm, I fight a wince as I march to the pedestal and raise my hand above it.
I’m the so-called brave and noble mortal they need.
Okay.
So be it.
Let’s see if it’s true.
Blood drips down rapidly, coating the leather cover and dripping over the edge of the pedestal.
To my surprise, the book drops to the pedestal with a loudsmack, and the glittering green aura dissolves. I pick it up. It’s heavier than it looks. My blood is smeared on the cover and the edges of some of the pages.
“Get him,” Maliek orders. “But keep him alive. We still need the Sunderstone.”
The assassins charge at Thane, gripping him by the upper arms. Oddly, he doesn’t fight them off this time. He just stares at me with a lost look in his damp eyes.
I don’t know what he’s thinking.
I wish I didn’t care.
I turn toward Maliek.
“Hand it here.” Maliek sticks out his hand while using the other to point a sword at me.
“Only if you talk to Seferin,” I demand, holding the book back.
Maliek’s head tilts. “What about?”
“My sister. Tell him that he has to break her curse—that hehasto set her free and never bother us again.”
He sneers, looking me over. “Is that all?”
“Yes. I’ll travel back with you, and you can tell him that I willingly gave you the tome. Becauseyouwork forhim, right? You follow his every order, and he trusts your intel?”
Maliek’s smirk slips.
“He’ll have the tome, and he’ll be even more powerful,” I go on.
“Zaira, no,” Thane pleads. One of the assassins forces him to his knees, slamming him down so hard something cracks. He groans in pain.
“I just want her back,” I whisper in a broken voice.
“Fine.” Maliek sticks his hand out farther. “I’ll tell Seferin you cooperated.”
I stare into Maliek’s eyes for a moment, then look at Thane. His head is hung low, lashes fanning across his cheekbones.
He looks…broken.
“Thank you for telling me the truth,” I say loudly, peering up at Maliek again. I rush in to hug him tight, and he freezes, unsure of what to do with the gesture.
Then he roars in agony as I plunge my dagger through his cold, dead heart.
Chapter 56
