Page 233 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘I am too.’

‘Nothing to be proud of me for,’ Riley says, trying to pull away, but Kade hugs him back, won’t let go.

‘I’m proud to be your brother, Riley. And no matter what, no matter the sulking or how mad I might be about certain things, I know you were always just trying to protect me.’

‘I was.’

‘I love you and I’m proud of you and we’ll get through this together.’

Kade gives himself time before asking the next question.

He doesn’t want it to feel like an interrogation.

Doesn’t want Riley to hear curiosity sharpened into suspicion, so he keeps his tone soft when they part, holding hands instead of hugging.

‘Sorrenko said you’re not human.’

Riley gives a defeated sigh. ‘Man, I hate having to explain this twice.’

‘You don’t have to explain at all, but you can tell me anything.’

‘It’s only fair, given that you had to learn about being a Sway.’

‘No, because you’re my brother, and I want to know you.’

‘All right.’

Kade keeps his voice gentle and leaves the question as something Riley can refuse. ‘Do you know what you are?’

‘I know what I’m not.’

‘Human?’

‘Normal,’ Riley corrects. ‘Good. Stable. Strong in any way that matters.’

‘Oh, fuck normal,’ Kade scoffs. ‘Apparently neither of us qualifies, and you’re the strongest person I know, Riley. But that wasn’t what I asked.’

‘You’re a Sway, so what am I?’

‘I have an idea what you might be, so if you don’t want to tell me—’

‘No, I want to tell you everything,’ Riley says in a rush. ‘You’re the only one I trust, and I’ve been dying to tell you this shit for years, Kade. I swear.’

‘I believe you.’

Riley closes his eyes briefly.

‘It’s difficult because the thing that I am, I’m not like the others. I’m not the typical kind, if such a thing exists.’

‘You know others like you?’

‘Two.’

‘OK, I’m listening.’

Riley looks down at their joined hands.

‘I guess what I am is a fucked-up version of a Wildwane. I don’t have the powers that they do, and if I ever get anything close to it, somehow it always backfires in some sick, twisted way.’