Again, he takes a moment. When he speaks, his eyes are hollow and there’s a bleakness in his voice that I wasn’t expecting. “You know who I am.”
My throat constricts, but I force myself to speak. “I do.”
“Then say it.” He remains motionless, his eyes hollow. “Tell me who I am.”
I try desperately to bring moisture to my lips.
I have nowhere to run.
At my back is a darkness that wants me dead.
In front of me is Thaden, a man as strong and powerful as the Vandawolf.
Thaden may not be carrying a hammer right now, but he could easily take mine and use it to destroy me.
I exhale, knowing that speaking his true name aloud could be my end.
“You’re Thaden Kane Ironmeld,” I say. “You’re Malak Ironmeld’s son.”
He takes another step back, his expression withdrawn, his arms loose at his sides, and his shoulders slowly hunching.
“I won’t let you destroy my sister,” I snarl. “I care about her too much.”
His brow creases, and now he seems confused. “But back at the castle, you said—” The furrow in his brow eases. And then, “You were trying to push her away.”
“I was protecting her fromyou.” I press against the wall at my back, forcing myself to be more upright. “I won’t let you hurt her.”
“‘Hurt her’?” His mouth is downturned. “I have no interest in hurting Asha. Ineedher.” He takes a step toward me. “I came to the Cursed City because I need her help.”
He takes a step toward me, and even though it’s a quiet step, it feels angry.
“I need her help,” he repeats softly. “And I will do whatever it takes to get it.”
“Why?” I ask, pushing myself fully upright. “Why do you need her?”
He shakes his head at me, his bronzed eyes flashing. With rage or desperation… I’m not sure.
“You will see,” he says.
That was the answer he gave me when I told him we shouldn’t go to his village or we’d endanger the people who live there.
“No.” I maintain my upright position, even though my legs are screaming at me for rest. “I won’t see.”
His eyes narrow at me. He doesn’t have to ask me why for me to continue.
“Because I’m not going with you,” I say. “I’m not going any farther than this. I won’t take the darkness to your village?—”
He lurches toward me, a sudden step that brings him within inches of me before he stops, his gaze blazing down at me.
His eyes are suddenly hollow again. His voice is a bare whisper. “I thought you might be different, but you’re just like all the others. You’ve already judged me.”
How could I not?
I snarl back at him. “I’ve judged you on your actions, not your name!”
“What actions?”
“You lied to me. From the very beginning?—”
