“What does it look like?” I ask.
“I hope you never know," Larkin says, sliding his sword into the sheath at his waist as he walks along the narrow path.
I fall into step behind him, jumping at every sound as we approach the last moments of warded protection. A tall tree stands before us, its trunk stretching wide, and not a single leaf clings to its branches. The bark is white and gray, and all I can think of is the creature that haunts me. Its skin is so similar, and that’s when I realize: once we pass that, all wards are down, and we will be fair game.
The air thickens as we step past the tree. The silence is deafening, and I do my best to avoid any fallen leaves. Larkin keeps his senses sharp and moves his head slowly. Any sudden movements could attract unwanted attention, so I do my best to follow in his footsteps. My heart begins to race, and I speed up to walk beside Larkin. A loud growl in the distance makes my senses even more heightened, and I snap my attention to Larkin.
He places a single finger to his lips before pointing to a dense area of trees, turning in their direction and away from the looming threat. I hurry alongside him and silently curse that I’m acting like Oak right now.
Get a grip, Briar.
We step forward, and once the dead trees provide some shield for the open path, Larkin turns to me. “The forest will end soon, and we will confront Death’s opening.”
I glance around him, as if I can see the towering place through the dense forest canopy.
“This is where two mountains have split apart but connect at their peaks. No one knows how this happened, but legend says this is where the creatures of the darkest realm escape from.”
I shudder.
“The poison you want to learn about is called Arxbayne. It comes from Death’s Opening and is lethal within seconds.”
My brother’s lifeless body flashes in my mind like a lightning strike, and I close my eyes for a second, blurring the image.
Larkin notices my flinch but continues, “We’ll enter the mouth of the mountains and visit a trap I set to catch the creature I extract it from. I’ll teach you everything I know about it then, and once we finish, I will harvest it.”
Shock ripples through me. “Why?”
“Because it’s lethal, making Andorwood almost unbeatable to outside Wielder threats if we use it. We’ll return to Silas’s after that.”
“Larkin, this is what killed my brother.”
He tenses. “I know.”
“How? How did this get to Daramveer?” I ramble, my thoughts going a million miles a minute. “How was this on the mainland?”
“Because I sold it to him.”
Chapter 24
Istep back a few paces. “What did you just say?”
Larkin lowers his head. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
“Repeat your fucking words.”
“I sold it to him, Briar. Your brother asked for it, and being his friend, I gave it to him.”
My mouth falls open, and tears begin to well in my eyes. I shake my head and continue to step backward, desperate to move away from him. Why the fuck did I agree to come out here with him.
I trusted him.Silastrusted him.
No. No. This can’t be happening.
“Briar,” Larkin starts, reaching for me.
I widen my stance outside of his grasp, and narrow my eyes.
“I would have never given it to him had I known what would happen. Please, believe me. I cared for your brother.”
