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“You were,” he says. “Even if you were not born into it. I suppose that is why I was so jealous of you. They all loved you so much, even Carleah. I longed to have her look at me with the same respect, and it took me far too long to realize that I must earn it first.” He smiles. “Enough chatter, though, come. We have a war to win.”
Once again, we fall into silence. I want to ask him what his intensions are with Carleah. Want to push him into being a man worthy of loving someone like her even if it kills me, but I don’t know that I could even get the words out.
At least until Bowman arrives. Then I can use him to tell Patrick everything I cannot.
Suddenly, Patrick stops walking and looks up at me. “I respect you, Fort. And I know you love Carleah as her brothers do, so I want to let you know that I plan to let her make her own choice with regard to me. I want her to choose to love me, and if she doesn’t, I plan to let her go.”
I swallow hard, the vise around my heart tightening until I can barely breathe. But I dip my head in acknowledgment.
Patrick offers me an appreciative smile then begins walking again.
We reach his study at the end of the hall and move inside. Bookshelves lined with rolled parchment and leather-bound books have been built from the floor to the ceiling. An expansive desk sits in the center, ink and a quill on top of it.
Patrick moves straight past it, though, and reaches up to pull a book down behind his desk. The shelf slides open, revealing a hidden passageway lit with torches. He turns back and grins like a child receiving all he’s ever wanted. “I keep everything regarding the Tenebris and this fight in here. There are only a few I trust with such knowledge. Come.” He moves in, so I follow.
The stone tunnel leads to a set of stairs that descend into the dark, I use my senses to listen for anything out of the ordinary but hear nothing.
That is until we reach the bottom, and all of the strength leaves me in a rush, just as it did when we crossed the obsidian border of Dead Man’s Land. Hands go to my arms, and I thrash, fighting to break free, but they’re strong—far stronger than I am.
All while Patrick stands just ahead, his expression having twisted to an expression I barely recognize.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I demand.
“Take him in.” He steps aside, completely ignoring me as the men drag me forward. I fight, managing to rip my arm free. I swing it back, catching my attacker with an elbow. Something hard slams into the back of my head, though, and I fall forward, barely catching myself before I hit the stone.
My ears ring.
Vision swaying.
But I’m lifted again and drug into a room where I’m greeted with a horrific scene. Bowman hangs from the ceiling, his arms chained above his head. His bare feet barely reach the stone floor, and his bare chest is marred with more injuries than I can count. He lifts his head enough to see me, and our gazes meet.
I’ve seen men die.
Watched them take their last breaths.
But I’ve never seen hope fade so quickly from someone’s eyes.
Lacrae is in a cell behind him, his body limp and shivering from his nakedness. The healer, Alysia, is the only one dressed and on her feet, murder in her gaze.
“What the fuck did you do!” I roar as I do my best to push up.
A boot slams into my back, and the air is shoved out of my lungs as I hit the floor.
“Chain him up like the brother,” Patrick orders. Even his voice has changed, deepened in his treachery.
Hands lift me, and I fight, but without my giant’s blood, I’m no match for whoever has me.
As soon as shackles close around my wrist, I see why.
Two men—or what used to be men—move into my line of vision. Black obsidian is embedded on the sides of their necks, stones the size of coins sticking out of pale flesh.
“They were created with the obsidian,” Patrick says proudly. “Which is why it does not affect them the way it does you.” He comes to stand in front of me.
“Why?” I manage. “Why are you doing this?”
Patrick slams his fist into my jaw. “Because I have my own destiny. And it has nothing to do with rescuing Navalis from those I sent there in the first place.”
I can feel the color drain from my face as I grow numb in his confession. “You killed them? Why? Navalis was your ally!”
