Page 215 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘You told me about the swords part,’ Kade reminds him.

The only woman in the room looks up from her cards sharply.

‘What swords part?’

‘Eight swords in earth till eight bells ring,’ Lachlan recites. ‘That’s the only line I remember clearly from the poetry.’

Riley cocks his head slightly. ‘Eight bells?’

‘It’s code for all is well.’

‘I know that. We use it too.’

‘The Eight of Swords,’ Céliane says slowly, ‘is the prison one could easily escape if they were any less blind.’

Lachlan makes a face. ‘So?’

‘So,’ she goes on, frowning, ‘I think perhaps the freedom we all seek is found not between two brothers, but in you.’

‘Blaire is positive they are the key,’ Vasily counters.

‘Your absolute trust in my sister is perhaps your greatest weakness.’

‘And your lack of faith in her is yours.’

‘Tell me, why do you think my sister helped Lachlan in the first place? Why she gave him the book knowing what it would do?’

‘Because she cares,’ Vasily insists. ‘She wanted to help him.’

‘She knew Julian was here, and yet never told him. She also knew that if Lachlan managed to kill Riley, it would actually kill Julian.’

‘Blaire trusted that Lachlan would trigger his memories.’

‘Your naivety is astounding.’

Riley says, ‘Please don’t insult my guest.’

‘Your guest is almost as blind as Tanner, which is truly saying something. What, pray, did my sister tell you about why we no longer speak, Sorrenko? I should dearly love to hear her spin coming from your tongue.’

‘She told me you wanted power, and she wanted to get the kids out,’ Kade tells her, mostly to draw their attention back onto him.

‘I already have power,’ Lee declares calmly. ‘I am my own power. Yes, I had designs once for Aurelion through either you or your brother; I would never think to hide it.’

‘What’s Aurelion?’

‘Don’t worry about that for now,’ Riley says, waving a hand. ‘Focus on the key points.’

‘My sister does not seek power, that is true.’

‘Then what does Blaire want?’

‘Where I would have empowered you and your brother in whatever way I could, she would have done the opposite. Hidden you away, buried you both in obscurity.’

‘Bee wants to break the bubble and return Jules’ memories.’

‘Your Bee is a skilled liar and a Sway herself. You are human, Sorrenko,’ Lee tells him with glacial pity. ‘Your love for her is likely waterborne.’

Vasily stands. Lachlan moves around quickly to put a hand on his shoulder and whisper something soothing in Russian.