Page 94 of Third Offense

Iston. I looked up for him, but he was no longer in the doorway. He’d left me alone with Netiri and a dying Ketos.

With the alarms blaring overhead.

Someone had to be coming.

We would explain this.

No. Netiri… Netiri is going to…

I ignored her. I’d deal with that in a minute. I needed Ketos to live. Because this wouldkillLayla. She might not have chosen him as a mate, but he was compatible. And while she hadn’t admitted it to me, I knew she was interested.

“Raven!” I shouted, thinking as fast as I could.

I couldn’t remove the blade, not without risking his life. He might be a god, but the weapon had taken him down quickly, suggesting it was magically empowered.

Footsteps barreled through the halls, but they were heavy footfalls of sentries wearing boots, not Raven’s response to my call for her.

I shouted her name again, praying she could hear me. Screaming as loud as I could.

Only Iston appeared, his expression frantic as he pointed at me. “Here! He stabbed Prince Ketos!”

What…?

I expected something like this, but it was all happening so quickly. All of it too insane to comprehend.

Iston waved his hands at Netiri’s state of undress, causing my mind to go numb as Iston continued listing off accusations that were clearly scripted.

Ketos was going to tell Layla.

The Nora bastard stabbed him to shut him up.

This is an outrage!

A strong arm shoved the guards away, revealing a half-dressed Novak and Layla at his side.

They both gaped at me, then Layla glanced at Netiri, her eyes going wide.

Gods. Had she overheard Iston’s idiotic accusations?

“He’s lying!” I shouted, but the guards were having none of that. “Ketos is going to die.Raven!” There was no time. I needed someone to focus on what was important. On Ketos.

Because he knows the truth.

Because Layla needs him.

Because he needs to live, damn it!

“Raven!” I shouted on repeat. “Rav—”

Something harsh slammed into my skull, making the world wink in and out of existence.

Until I was staring up into a pair of startled blue eyes.

Layla.

And then the world went black.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR