Chapters (46)
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Dedication
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-one
- Twenty-two
- Twenty-three
- Twenty-four
- Twenty-five
- Twenty-six
- Twenty-seven
- Twenty-eight
- Twenty-nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-one
- Thirty-two
- Thirty-three
- Thirty-four
- Thirty-five
- Thirty-six
- Thirty-seven
- Thirty-eight
- Thirty-nine
- Forty
- Epilogue
- Acknowledgments
- About the Author
He felt some contrary satisfaction in seeing her anger. For a moment, Tristam was tempted to sit back and watch things unravel. But then Willem looked at him, a clear warning in his gaze.
“Remember, Kyra,” said Tristam, “everything you do in service could be considered by the Council in lightening your sentence.”
“I’m just a bloodhound, in’t I? And the poison’s my leash.”
“We’re trying to help you.” The words tasted false on his tongue.
“Of course. Like the Assassins Guild wanted to help me.”
“The Assassins Guild wanted to kill you, Kyra.”
“And you’ll delay my death. If I’m useful.” The betrayal in her eyes was directed straight at him, and it bothered him more than he cared to admit.
He opened his mouth to reply, but stopped when he saw Willem watching him. He wasn’t going to convince Kyra with platitudes that he didn’t even believe. As much as he hated this, he was a knight of Forge and duty-bound to serve the Council.
“Councilman,” he said, “may I please have a word alone with Kyra?”
“You may have a moment.”
As the door closed behind Willem, Kyra turned her gaze back to Tristam, her entire body tense. Tristam closed his eyes and let out a long breath.
“Kyra, I’m sorry about this. It’s not my decision. It was handed down by the Council.”
“And you’re helping.”
“I don’t have a—” He stopped and gathered himself. “Look, it doesn’t have to be like this. I know it’s an underhanded tactic, but really, even if the Council weren’t holding the poison as a threat, you’d do it anyway.”
Kyra regarded him as if he were a snake about to strike. “And why is that?”
“Because you helped bring the Demon Riders to Forge.”
His words affected her just as he’d expected. She winced. He’d already used her guilt against her once, when he’d brought her to the manservant’s funeral. At the time, he hadn’t thought twice about the tactic, but now that they had the beginnings of trust between them, it felt dirty. He reminded himself of the vows he’d taken to Forge and forced himself to continue on.
“I know you’re sorry, Kyra, and I know you want to make amends for it. This is your chance. Don’t think about the Council or the threats. What matters is that the city won’t be safe until we drive out the barbarians.”