Page 387 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘I understand it, but I can’t speak it.’

‘You know so much more than you let on because deep down you’re just a liar. You could have told Kade who he was by writing it on paper the way I did. You could have used sign language. You could have done so many things differently, Little Harker, but you didn’t because you’re a coward and you just hate that I’m the only one who sees it.’

Kade glances between them, muscles tensing.

Riley looks like he’s about to launch himself at Lachlan.

He’s never seen him like this.

Never.

Lee hops down, wanders between them and mutters something inaudible to Riley, who cuts his gaze away forcefully.

‘Whatever you need to tell yourself,’ Riley says after a tense bout of silence.

Lee looks at Lachlan, sits beside Finn. ‘Riley told me you contacted Savannah Alderwyck?’

‘She had a right to know.’

‘Did she say if she was coming here?’

‘I kept the call intentionally vague and she followed suit.’

‘How did you contact her?’

‘She gave me a phone number years ago that I memorised. Why?’

‘I only ask because I have tried to find her in the past and never managed to. She is well hidden where she is.’

‘Like I said, she needed to know.’

‘I think you want her to come here,’ Lee says, ‘so when this is done, she will take Kade and Vasily back with her.’

‘No one can leave until the bubble is broken.’

‘I’m staying with you,’ Kade tells him sternly.

‘I doubt she’ll take the risk anyway.’

Kade doesn’t like the shifty way he said that. ‘I want to talk about the ritual. Boys, did you analyse the page?’

‘We did.’

‘Full screen, please.’

THE REDRESS OF WRATH

Hear now the cry of Wrath’s dark ward, sword of the fallen, justice restored.

By blood cut short and life’s wrong end, by dying vows that shall not bend.

Wrath bestows His borrowed flame, to rise anew and strike each name.

Stand immune, take strength from pain, till Mother’s light begins to wane.

Seek not the many, name the one; the prideful hand by which ’twas done.

One truth surrendered, veiled from sight, shall be restored on judgement night.