Page 26 of The Edge of Darkness

Morah balked in disbelief. “They . . . they were . . . yours?”

“Of course they were.” He said it with such a lack of empathy that I choked on my disgust.

The younglings had been Morah and Fallon’s siblings.

Ramil really didn’t have a conscience.

“How could you?” Morah hissed.

There was no reply, he only waited for her to press on.

She shook her head. “Why was I spared?”

“Because Fallon would give me all the power I needed, and you would allow me to acquire territory—something your brother couldn’t convince Killian to offer freely.”

“I did not go into that engagement freely,” she snapped.

“No, but you did as you were told.” He paused, his eyes darkening. “And then you betrayed me.”

Morah straightened her shoulders in defiance. “You deserve far worse than betrayal, given all that you’ve done.”

Ramil chuckled to himself. “You’ve always had a vicious tongue.”

“Fuck you!” she spat.

“There it is. There’s that fighter.” He began stalking around the perimeter of the chamber. “You will return to your rightful home, under my banner, and you will follow through with your commitment as planned, or it will be you on that altar, and I will find another way to acquire what I desire.”

Remic stepped forward on Morah’s behalf, hands now on the hilts of his blades.

Ramil noted the move, flicking his eyes over the Dionach. “If you want to sacrifice your life for hers, be my guest⁠—”

“That’s enough!” I snapped.

“Yes, you’re right. I’m getting a bit off topic. It’s you that I truly need. You’re the whole reason we’re all down here.” He gestured to the room around him. “Bet you didn’t plan on leading your friends to their tomb, did you?”

My power rumbled within me.

I glanced behind us to where Maeson continued muttering the same words under her breath with her palms on Fallon’s forehead and stomach.

“Enough talk,” Niall chided. His shadows wafted from his shoulders and seeped out from his hands, snaking their way toward Ramil, ready for retribution.

“Ah, ah, ah,” Ramil tutted. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You see, if you kill me, you’ll bring this whole structure down on your loved ones. A little insurance to make sure this place and its secrets are never found out.” He tapped on his necklace.

The Alatyr.

Niall’s shadows pooled at Ramil’s feet, dancing over the stones like serpents ready to strike, but they could go no further. It seemed the Alatyr was acting as some sort of ward itself.

I wanted to call Ramil’s bluff, but I had no idea what he was actually capable of.

“I fear everyone underestimates me from time to time.” Ramil raised his hands, and a shimmering type of shield settled around the edges of the chamber. “Misjudges how strong my powers are.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Remic stiffen.

“Powers that are not even yours!” Morah yelled.

Then, Niall’s voice came across my mind. We can’t port.

What? What do you mean? I looked at him, then at Remic, who had a hint of panic behind his eyes as well.