His mind translates.‘The Death Knot?’
‘Yes.’
‘And what the fuck is that?’
‘A bond forged in the dark desperate final moments beneath death’s own shadow.It becomes a way for both to remain alive, but you remain stuck in a Knot of connection.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘You are hit, he shares the bruise.He is shot, you will need gauze.Distance is painful.Feelings, among other things, are shared.It can only be made in the final moments.His Knot is rare, and the natural occurrence of it even more so.There are those who force a lesser, unnatural version of the Knot to pervert the laws of nature, but I have only ever known one other instance of this particular Knot in my lifetime.’Blaire taps her chest.‘Céliane and I are sisters by more than blood, bound until death takes one beyond reach.’
‘You have the same bond?The Knot?’
‘We are bound in this way and have been for a very long time now.’
‘And you’re saying he’s bound tome?’
‘Yes, darling,’ she says as though it took effort not to come across patronising.‘You two are Knotted and have been since what happened here seven years ago.’
‘Riley wants to break it?’
‘As would I, believe me, but only death can break a Knot, and one must be careful.The death of one will transfer to the other, such is the cyclical nature of circular bindings.’
‘So if Riley died…?’
‘He would buryyou.’
Kade stares into darkness, mind racing to catch up, to fill in the blanks.Several things click into place all at once.
‘That’s why he never fights.Never leaves.He’s been dealing withmyinjuries.Oh my God, he’s taking them and healing them.’Kade touches his ears.‘He didn’t hear me before.He… he stayed inside to protect me all this time.’He looks away, heart breaking anew, head a mess of confusion.‘Is that… oh my God is that why I’m his bodyguard?’
‘He must love you a great deal to have adjusted in such a way,’ she says, now standing almost toe to toe with him.
Kade wipes his eyes, clawing for solid ground.‘What happens if I die?’
‘He will die in your stead, and the Knot will be broken.’
‘Do you know how it was made?’
‘In desperate refusal of death the true Knot may be forged.The bastardised version infecting the upper echelons is another matter entirely.’
‘He wants to break it.’Kade looks at her.‘There has to be a way.’
‘I have already told you.’
‘A loophole, maybe, some kind of—’
‘Death is not to be toyed with, Julian.You of all people should know that.’
He frowns.‘What doesthatmean?’
‘There is much you do not yet know about yourself.’
‘So fucking tell me.’
‘I can tell you that your Knot can only be forged between non-humans.’
His nerves pull taut.‘So it’s true?I’m a Para—Brightlingor whatever?’
