Page 89 of The City Of Fractured Memory

That’s what my father tried to do to me? That’s what he thought the prophecy was for? I shiver, nausea roiling in my gut. But if Riven was subjected to this too, then that means–

“Riven, do you know about the prophecy?”

He pauses. “I can’t answer that.”

So that’s a yes then. If he didn’t then he would have denied it, or stood there looking confused. Since he’s currently doing neither, that only leaves one option. Though yet again, for what feels like the thousandth time, he’s confirmed a question without a direct answer. In the short time that I’ve known him, it’s been one of the most frustrating things about him, but now I think of it…it’s too much of a coincidence to just be a habit.

A troubling thought occurs to me.

“Riven, is there something physically stopping you from answering me?”

He pauses again, his face draining of colour. “I—I can’t answer that either.”

I release a sharp exhale. “Someone’s stopping you from–”

“Stop. Octavia. Please.”

He takes a step back as I move towards him.

“So that’s why you left the notes? You’ve been goading me into this case in the hope I would learn everything for myself, giving me clues without directly telling me?”

“You have to stop–” He cuts off abruptly, his eyes growing bloodshot, choking like he can’t–

Fuck.

He can’t breathe.

Thirty-Eight

Riven falls to his hands and knees and I grab him, trying to keep him from completely collapsing, but he’s so much bigger than me.

“The blood oath you made with me, it’s not the first time you’ve done it, is it?” I say hurriedly, everything finally starting to click into place.

He manages to shake his head, but that only seems to further his suffering. He’s too heavy, and we both fall to the floor completely, Riven gasping for breath he can’t find.

“What do I do?” I shake his shoulders, panic clawing at my chest. “How do I fix this?”

I can’t let him die now, not when I’m so close to getting the truth from him. And if the elders were right, he’s the only one in Velmora like me. Without him, I’m truly alone.

“You…need–” He chokes out the words, his face reddening. “Figure…out–”

Fuck. Think Octavia, think.

He grabs my hand, clenching it tightly. “Do…it.”

I close my eyes and try to steady my breathing, forcing myself to compartmentalise my panic. He goes still, like he’s trying not to distract me with the inconvenience of his impending death.

I run through everything I can think of in my head, trying to make sense of it all. He sent me notes, drawing me to the case, drawing my attention to him. He’s always led me towards things without directly telling me. He told me to ask Stryx about why she came here, because he clearly can’t tell me himself. And as soon as I mentioned the prophecy, it triggered the oath…I inhale sharply.

He can’t tell me of the prophecy.

That must be it. It has to be, it’s the only conclusion that makes sense. This whole case…could it be possible it was designed purely to lure me in so I could inadvertently discover the truth? If that’s true, then surely if I recite it to him, that would make the oath void, because I would confirm I already know it…

His lips start turning blue, and I blurt out the first two lines, desperately hoping I’m right.

“When the sky is cleaved and the mists descend, when light and shadow meet their end–”

He claws at his throat, and my stomach drops. I’m running out of time.