Page 158 of Eternal Ruin

They sat on the couch right under the ceiling she once taped balloons of impala ash to.

There was no suspicion to his gaze this time, no wall. The confession slid out on a sigh, the ends of his hair reddish gold. “Lusidio.”

Kidan hid her surprise. “Why?”

“Because he calls, and I answer.” His voice sounded exhausted. “Because he demands, and I deliver.”

“But you’re free. The Nefrasi are all free.”

His black eyes took on a shining quality, almost drenched. Her golden thread of trust spun around him. “Yes, they are. They believe I rescued them from him.”

Dread unspooled itself in her gut. “You made a deal to set them free.”

He tilted his head back, carved jawline scarred. “It was the only way. We couldn’t stand his torture. No one could.”

A pounding like a sledgehammer to the house began.

“What does he want?”

“What we all want. The Three Binds broken.”

Blood rushed in her veins. Finally, the truth. “Where is the blade artifact?”

He turned his face to her, and she held her breath. “I buried it with her.”

“Her… Talaa?”

“Why am I telling you all this?” he murmured, metal fingers reaching out to trace her face. “You’re like your sister.”

Kidan tensed. “June?”

“She wants the artifact too. I think she’s only kind to me because of it.” His lids closed, head resting back. “I need to rest. I have a long trip.”

Why would June be interested in the artifact?

Kidan had always assumed June wanted the artifact for Samson. To give it to him as some sort of show of loyalty.

“Where are you going?”

“To Lusidio.”

“Where is June?”

“Home.”

Kidan tensed. “With the Nefrasi?”

Samson nodded and drifted to sleep. Kidan averted her eyes. Things always looked less monstrous in sleep.

Still, what a miserable thing to subject yourself to. A mad hunt without any guarantee of power.

57.

SUSENYOS

I have something to tell you,” Kidan said, standing before Iniko in the living room.

Samson had left Uxlay yet again and it gave Susenyos an hour or so to discuss and stretch his legs. Kidan’s news must be big if she’d invited his friends as well. He rubbed his wrist where the chain had been, trying not to think about the cells of Lusidio’s camp.