Page 81 of The Dragon and the Dove

More shadows plumed.

Anouk reeled. ‘When?’

Again, he hesitated. ‘I ran into Andreas… Just after we were separated.’

Ransom took a slow, measured step. ‘And you didn’t think to kill him?’

‘I didn’t have the chance,’ he said, too quickly.

‘You had the chance to talk.’ Shadows swirled, rising from the floorboards. ‘A conversation you somehow survived.’

He gave an insolent shrug.

Another step, the space between them narrowing. ‘Why did you survive, Versini?’

Even Anouk was bewildered. ‘You never said anything.’

‘There wasn’t exactly a good time.’

‘Well, now is perfect.’ Ransom’s voice dripped with disdain. ‘What other secrets did our sworn enemy confide in you?’

‘I’m trying to help,’ he said, exasperated.

‘How long were you alone with him?’

‘Not long.’

His shadows misted into beasts, a trio of bloodhounds gathering at his feet.

Versini raised his chin, ignoring them.

Ransom sealed the last sliver of space between them. ‘Why did he let you go?’

‘Because he wasn’t after me.’

Darkness shrouded them.

‘Bastian.’ Anouk called from beyond the dark. ‘Careful.’

He was way past careful, and judging by the violent gleam in his eye, so was Versini. ‘Tell the truth for once,’ snarled Ransom. ‘Seraphine’s fate depends on it.’

‘I’ve told you what I know,’ he snarled back. ‘You’re the one who lost her. So why don’t you stop coming at me, and do something about it?’

Ransom snapped. He grabbed Versini by the collar and slammed him up against the wall. ‘I swear to Saint Calvin, I’d bleed the truth from you, drop by drop, if I could.’

‘But you can’t,’ spat Versini. ‘So piss off back to hell.’

Ransom’s smile was a savage taunt. ‘I think I’ll stick around a little while longer. Since Oriel has anointed us a Saint of Truth to weed out lying traitors like you.’

Fear lit up his face – there and gone in a heartbeat.

More hounds misted, Ransom’s shadows surrounding them in a ring of beasts.

Versini sneered. ‘You’re no better than your monsters, Hale.’

‘At least I know what I am.’

Loyal, to the marrow.