AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Oliver leaves Bowman and starts toward me.
“Stop,” our father orders.
“You’re going to let him speak to you that way?”
“He is taunting us.”
“So? There’s two of us and one of him. Let him out, and let’s put a damned blade in his heart like you should have done instead of sending him to Navalis.”
I think of the innocent child I was back then, of the horrific act my brother is speaking about. And honestly? I’m not surprised. There was a time I truly believed they would kill me. Yet here I am.
With an opportunity to put the last of my bloodline down once and for all.
“He’s always been a coward. Which is why he challenged Nemoregno’s king after he’d already been injured in battle. Because he knew he couldn’t beat the man when he was at full strength.”
My father’s face flushes. “That’s a damned lie.” He grabs me by the throat and squeezes.
“Is it?” I choke out.
He glares at me a moment longer, not willing to look away for even a second. And just before I start to worry he might actually kill me, he shoves me back.
“Unchain him, and let’s end this.”
“Absolutely.” Oliver reaches up and breaks the shackles holding my arms above my head. I fall to the ground, legs weak from misuse and exhaustion. I take a deep breath, scanning the floor around me as I do.
Then, I spot the knife Carleah dropped when Oliver hit her.
It sits just out of their sight, such an inconsequential object I doubt they’d even care to notice.
“Get up, asshole,” Oliver growls.
“Give me a minute to get my bearings. I have been chained to a fucking ceiling.” I stand slowly, unrolling my body as I do. Oliver’s fist slams into my jaw without warning, and I stumble back—right beside the knife.
I let my body fall, using the attack as cover to close my hand around the hilt of the blade. Without my strength, I’ll have to be fast. Trouble is their giant blood gives them that advantage, too. Which means intelligence is what will get us out of this alive.
And that I certainly have over both of them. I start to stand, keeping the handle of the dagger in my hand, the blade hidden behind my arm. “Bowman, did I ever tell you the problem with Tenebris soldiers? Their one weakness?”
“We have no weakness,” Oliver growls.
“No.” Bowman coughs. “But I’d love to hear it.” His voice is weak, gravelly, and I know, if we don’t get him out of here soon, he won’t last long.
“The giant blood makes them stronger, faster, and larger than normal men. Which means they spend less time honing their skill. I mean, why would they? Their brute strength is enough to ensure a victory—most of the time.”
“What are you getting at, boy?” my father asks. “What game is it you’re trying to play?”
“None, Father. Just merely pointing out something I learned when you sent me into that Phantom.”
“You’ve always talked too damn much.” Oliver charges, so I drop down and sweep a leg out. He falls to the ground with a heavy thud, and I stand, still keeping the blade shielded.
I’ll get one shot.
One chance to take him out.
If I reveal my hand too soon and fail, there’s no way I beat them both at the same time.
Oliver jumps to his feet and snarls then charges for me. I wait—one heartbeat…two…then bring the blade up straight into his chin. I drive it up as far as I can, burying it to the handle.
He freezes, eyes going completely blank.
