But if he was . . .
I needed to see him fight. That would give me my answer.
“Those are the three I trained.” Alistair folded his arms. “Another could have developed the same magic, sure, but that’s not a lead, is it?”
I took a breath. “And Ishii? Quinn seemed to know what killed him—but nobody else does."
“Because Forlaith’s hiding it.”
“Did they kill him?”
“That, I’m not sure of.” Alistair returned to his perch on the window. “I did catch a look at the report, though. He was found in a small village, north of Forlaith. Everyone within was dead, including the Paragon. The only evidence of what had slaughtered them all was . . . ” He trailed off.
“Was what?” I strode toward him.
“Have you seen that spell Reese uses?” Alistair asked. “I’ve never seen another Solheart do anything like it.”
I hadn’t gotten to see the Paragon do any magic. Nor had I seen him fight.
If I had, would I have found my assassin?
Ferris' voice startled me. He leaned against the wall, hand pressed to his side. “The wings?” He asked.
Alistair pointed at Ferris and turned to me. “The only thing they found on the scene was a single pinion—white and pure, coursing with light. Like a deadly feather from a pair of wings. It was covered in blood.”
I staggered back. This didn’t make any sense. Alistair and Quinn were part of the rebels—the ones attacking with the aid of monsters, the ones who’d assaulted the Emperor. If Reese was their enemy, what did that mean?
Ferris pushed himself upright. “Reese did not kill Ishii.”
“You don’t know him, kid,” Alistair hissed. “Nobody does.”
“Except you,” I interjected.
Alistair turned toward me, face hardening. He slowly stalked toward me. “I trained him. Gave him a home. Gave him purpose.” He paused, leaning in. “I watched him kill his first man. Saw the joy on his face. He was my best agent—wherever he went, death followed.”
“Agent?” I breathed. "Was he a Sun Chaser, too?"
The Solheart seized his collar and pulled his shirt down. Black ink traced across his chest—a sun with descending rays. Feathers tumbled with them.
"This was a vow. A binding pact." Alistair stepped back. “But he betrayed me long ago. Quinn and I were not present on the night of the Emperor's death. But Reese might have been.” He spread his arms. “A deal’s a deal. Keep Siotha—for once, I think Quinn was right.”
Alistair retreated toward the window and pushed it open. My hand tightened around my sword.
“Alistair, wait!” Ferris called.
Winking, Alistair threw himself through the window, into the night.
Releasing my sword, I walked to the window. Laying my hand on the sill, I contemplated chasing him. Darting through the night, raising my blade, claiming his life.
Reaching into the frigid night, I grabbed the window's edges and pulled it closed.
“Ugh.” Ferris collapsed onto the rickety couch. “I can’t figure him out.”
Taking a breath, I closed my eyes. My thoughts spun into a whirlwind, but I forced them to calm.
I had no idea whether Alistair was lying.
Swallowing, I sat beside Ferris and pushed him down.
