Page 161 of This Blood that Bonds Us

“How did you get it back so fast?”

“I didn’t. There are two. This is the real one.”

My stomach sank.

“Wait, that means . . . Aaron doesn’t know the dagger is fake. He’s searching for the wrong one.”

“I’ll go help. Okay, he’ll be fine. Halina . . . she wanted to make sure I got this to you specifically. She said you could use it.”

“Halina . . . Where is she?”

His expression cracked and his jaw feathered. “She gave it to me before Ezra took her and a few others. She’s gone . . . I wanted to help, but she said getting this to you was more important.”

I nodded and stuffed the surfacing emotion down. Halina believed in me, and I couldn’t let her down.

“They have a plan to evacuate the queen, there’s a tunnel that runs from the castle to below the cliffs. Things are moving quickly up there. If you use this, maybe you can keep them on the island and give Kilian more time.”

“Okay. I will.”

“This is going to work, Kim. We’re going to win.”

He sounded like Aaron. I grabbed his hand through the bar and squeezed. I needed the boost.

“We’re going to win,” I repeated.

Seventy-One

Aaron

One foot in front of the other, Aaron.I made my way through the passageway from the castle to the cathedral. I had one shot to take Her out, and that would solve everything. Once She was dead, my brothers would remember themselves. Luke would remember Sarah. The tides would change. The thrall everyone was under would disappear.

I had the dagger tucked into my shirt, and it was poking me in the back with every step I took—a sharp reminder that danger was close, but I only needed a second. One good second and this would be over.

Luke greeted me when I entered the cathedral. The sounds of the battle outside were louder than they’d been before. He inspected me with a furrowed brow.

“You’re hurt.”

“By one of our own actually. Zach took care of it.”

“Where is he?”

“He’s good. Everything is working. It’s almost over I think.”

I followed him up the pulpit of dark wood that displayed intricate carved cherubs. At the top, She sat with Presley on the floor. She seemed to be comforting him by running Her hand through his hair and humming.

“What’s your favorite flower?” he asked, staring at Her like She was a goddess made only for him.

“Thistle,” She answered. “Such a beautiful flower. Painful to touch at times, but a welcome reminder of how strong beauty can be.”

With another swipe of Her hand through my brother’s hair, I spotted Kimberly’s ring. In the shuffle, I hadn’t noticed She’d taken it. The queen was actually jealous . . . Maybe I could use that.

She turned to me, and Her attention settled on the blood on my shirt.

“Are you badly injured?”

“I don’t know . . . I feel a little lightheaded.” I leaned back on the edge of the railing, feigning a dizzy spell.

“Can I see?” She muttered, and crossed the distance to me. My little brother scowled at me.