Page 165 of This Blood that Bonds Us

No. Not yet.

An explosion blew the door of the cathedral open. The force of it threw us all to the back of the room. I hit something. Many things. Everything hurt. Stone and splinters were stuck to the skin in my arms, and my entire body felt like it was on fire.

“Aaron!” a familiar voice called my name.

“Thane?”

He was a blur as he pulled me to my feet. “Hi, we have to go. Now.”

“But . . .” I couldn’t open my eyes. My ears were ringing.

“Your brothers are fine. We have to go.”

“I can’t move.”

“You can. It’s not over yet. Just a little longer.”

With his words, I found my footing and let him drag me through the passageway that led back through the castle.

Seventy-Two

Aaron

“Here.” Thane shoved a blood bag in my face. He’d tucked us into a place behind some stairs, like he’d been there many times.

“I can’t.”

“What? Don’t tell me you’re still afraid to drink.”

“No, it’s a long story, but I can’t. Not while She’s still alive. It’s okay. You’re right. I have to keep going. It’s not over yet.”

Not yet.The words had come into my head, like a foreign thought that didn’t belong to me. The voice was mine, but how did I know?

I was the opening, and you were the key. I am the key.

“It’s good to see you, Thane.” It really was. Seeing him alive and well was a welcome surprise I hadn’t expected.

He smiled and squeezed my shoulder. The only one that wasn’t covered in blood. “I wish it was under different circumstances. I need to go help Kilian. Will you be okay?”

“I can make it. Where is she?”

“In the middle of the maze, there is a statue with a hidden latch at the foot of it.”

I nodded.

“Listen, Aaron . . .” Thane looked down at his hands, but I didn’t need his apology. I never did.

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m still sorry.”

“Consider us even.”

He hugged me, and I winced at the very real pain coursing through my veins. We said our brief goodbye, and he disappeared from my sight.

I continued down the hallway toward Kimberly and the real dagger, but first I had to make a stop.I was the opening, and you were the key.The answer was right on the edge of my tongue.

The west side of the castle had seen better days. A hole was blown into the side, and I could see the stars shining in the periwinkle sky outside. With one hand on the wound to my side, I walked. It was slow, but it gave me time to process it all as it came together.