Page 213 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘That’s why he had your man Seth burn himself,’ Lachlan goes on. ‘He wanted to test whether your power had really worked.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘In the holding room, Harker told you to convince Seth that he was yours until he died, no matter what. He tricked you into using your power. You made a contract for Seth that he couldn’t break. Swear to be ours no matter what, forever. Faithful till the bitter end, nothing you wouldn’t do for Iron Star, for Riley. That’s what you told him, and he agreed. He said, I belong to Iron Star.’

Kade casts back.

He was just so desperate for Seth to prove to Riley he was worth a second chance. For Seth not to die.

And no more bullshit with Lachlan and this metaphobia crap.

Seth died trying to save Lachlan.

‘I mind-controlled him?’

‘You didn’t know,’ Riley says as if that makes it any better. ‘You never knew. I tried to tell you in the early years, but you’d always forget.’

‘Which we only have your word for,’ Lachlan points out.

‘Wait…’ Kade stares at nothing, both hands flat on the cool, black table. Pull ’em back for me, dig deep. ‘You used me to convince everyone that day in the meeting?’

Riley doesn’t seem remotely ashamed. ‘Yes.’

‘This is why he can’t let you go,’ Lachlan intones softly.

With a deadpan look of annoyance, Riley pulls his shirt collar aside. Kade’s insides burn like they’re being blasted with steam when he sees the dark, mouth-shaped bruise.

‘No, because I actually love wearing my brother’s hickeys.’

Kade can’t even bring himself to ask not to be spoken about like he’s not here. It never once occurred to him that injuries, no matter how mild, from being with Lachlan might be mirrored on Riley.

His fucking brother.

Céliane studies the bruise. ‘That need not have crossed.’

‘What?’ Kade asks, confused.

‘Pain willingly received can remain within the body if it is consciously claimed. In direct contact, minor damage may then heal before the Knot finds reason to carry it across.’

Kade stares at her. ‘So I can stop this happening?’

‘Contain it,’ she corrects. ‘Provided you know what is coming, truly consent to it and remain without distress. Genuine harm will always cross, but pain received as pleasure can be consciously claimed. Riley has long since mastered his side of containment. You should learn too.’

‘Back to my point,’ Lachlan drones.

‘Which was?’ Riley asks.

‘That if you let Kade go, you can’t control these people and you can’t be the pretty-boy warlord in a high tower if you’ve no one to lord over.’

Riley gives a dangerous smile. ‘You still think I’m pretty, huh?’

‘Fuck you.’

‘Yeah, I’d actually rather you didn’t, so back to the matter at hand. Breaking the Knot, the bubble, your ritual and the fucking curse. Sorrenko is convinced that they’re all connected. We break one, they all go.’

‘That sounds way too easy.’

‘What is the bubble?’ Kade asks.