Page 73 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

Kade thinks of what Riley told him last night.

It’s hard to remember now.

Really hard.

Frowning to himself, he tries to recall.

‘Fuck,’ he mutters.

‘What’s wrong?’

Riley told him a lot.

He told Kade that Alistair Penhalyx and two others have been systematically possessing their children to achieve immortality using a version of the Death Knot.

That tracks with something Blaire told him last night too.

In desperate refusal of death, the true Knot may be forged. The bastardised version infecting the upper echelons is another matter entirely.

He explained the bond between them.

Absorbing injuries.

The curse preventing them from saying certain things.

Kade reminds himself of all this, holding fast to facts.

It’s strange how easy it would be to forget.

His mind almost wants to.

‘Nothing. We need to talk. Can you stay?’

‘I’m not going anywhere.’

‘Good.’

Riley makes his way over to them.

Kade asks, ‘How is everyone?’

‘Nothing major.’ Riley gives Lachlan a once-over. ‘You need anything?’

‘Like what? Blood?’ Lachlan snorts, uncrossing his arms. ‘That was a slick little play, by the way. I didn’t think it would work.’

Riley doesn’t take the half-compliment. ‘Let’s talk somewhere else.’

Kade and Lachlan follow him up to the Watch.

Once inside, Riley instructs Finn to take a five-minute break. When the Watch is empty, Riley sits in his vacated chair.

‘Did Kade tell you about Penhalyx?’

‘Tell me what?’

‘So no. Fine. Take a seat, Tanner,’ Riley suggests, tapping slowly on the keyboard. He types one-handed with one finger, never was technologically adept. Kade sits in Cole’s chair, pulls over a spare for Lachlan.

The Watch is a soothing place to be.