“What the fuck is going on?” Silas rages, and I notice his chest begin to heave.
“Do you know how long I’ve been waiting? I’ve grown impatient as I've gotten older, Silas.” He casually picks at his nails. “You know you shouldn’t do that, boy. It only makes me angry and creative.”
“Stop toying with us, Malachi,” Larkin growls. “It’s obnoxious.”
“Me?” Malachi snaps. “I’m sitting in my office, minding my own business. You three are the ones who charged in.”
“Yara?” I whisper toward her, before glaring at Malachi.
“Poor thing isn’t very sly,” Malachi says, tsking as he looks at Yara’s still body. “You should have prepped her better, Briar.”
I step around Silas and Larkin’s large bodies. “She’s breathing, right?”
“Yes.” Malachi stands and traces his fingers along her profile. “I knew something was at play when she arrived tonight. She had a pep in her step and asked more questions than usual, not about anything in particular, of course.” He sighs, annoyance leaking off him. “She’s not stupid, but she was inquisitive, which isn’t why she’s here. You know why she’s here.” He winks at the men. “Once she fucked me, quite well I may add, it was easy to slip some Dyisen in her water.”
I fight the urge to gag and step toward her.
“I wouldn’t do that,” he warns, and I freeze. “You all will stay right there and fucking listen.”
Larkin and Silas stay still, and he nods in approval at our obedience.
“I’m offended that you all think I’m the stupid one here. I know what tomorrow is, and I know Yara was going to offer you something.” Malachi traces his jaw with his fingers. “There are things in the Archives that I’ve wanted my entire life, and if you think I’m letting you in there, you’re wrong.”
Malachi reaches forward, grabs the dark leather book, and tosses it into the fire.
“Wait,” I shout, and defeat hits me like a blow to the face.
The book sizzles in the flames, slowly beginning to wilt around the paper edges. The leather cover turns a charred shade of brown, and the spine quickly catches fire. I watch in horror as the book slowly turns to ruin before my eyes, and realize that our chances of getting into the Archives burns with it.
I glance at Yara, and she stirs.
I need to buy us some time to get her out of here.
“What’s so important in there?” I ask.
I take the split second to quickly snap my fingers toward Silas behind me to get his attention, and he notices her small movements.
“You truly have no idea how rare this is, do you?” Malachi tilts his head. “Two tethers and vessels alive at the same time? This is one in a million.”
“Two tethers?” I ask.
“Of course, I have to explain everything to you.” He lets out a heavy exhale. “Every vessel has a tether. Whether they ever connect or are even born at the same time is entirely up to fate. Yet, here we are.” He motions between Silas and me. “The luckiest I have been in centuries.”
I glance at Silas, and his face is filled with rage.
Malachi moves to the back of the couch and rests his hands on it above Yara.
“Oh, so you told him. Perfect.” He glances at Silas. “How does it feel to be forced, forever linked to someone? To be their dog, tofollow them no matter what, to love them even if you don’t want to?"
“I’m not forced to do a fucking thing,” Silas fumes.
“So, you think,” Malachi responds. “But, your sister may not feel the same.”
Silas steps forward, “What are you talking about?”
“Still haven’t figured it out, have you?” He laughs. “You Nastrondes, are something else. Although you are something much bigger, Silas.” Malachi pauses. “If you ever opened your eyes.”
“Keep speaking.” Silas’s shadows dance off him in chaos. “Right now.”
