Darrow shook his head at Kestra and mumbled, "Let me go. Don't trust them."
"Where is the Olden Blade?" Tenger asked. "Tell me before the count of three, or trust me, Darrow's fate will be decided. One--"
"Heal him first! Please!"
"Two--
"Don't do this!"
Tenger lifted his hand and pointed to Gabe, giving him the order. "You've disappointed me, my lady. Even worse, you disappointed Darrow here."
"I have disappointed him, but for different reasons than you think." Beneath the table, Kestra had already raised the skirts on one leg. She reached down and I heard the quiet snap of her garter against her thigh. Inwardly, I groaned. I'd forgotten about that.
She lifted an object wrapped in a thin cloth and set it on the table, unfolding the cloth enough to let everyone see what it was.
"The Olden Blade is here."
Everyone rose to their feet upon seeing the Olden Blade. It seemed a moment frozen in time, with no movement from anyone, other than turning to Tenger for further orders. I remained in my seat, drawing the rewrapped dagger closer to my body, preventing anyone from trying to take it. If I could touch it without being burned, I'd gladly introduce them to its point.
"Enough!" Tenger finally whispered, keeping his eye on the Blade. "Take your seats, all of you!"
I was still in my chair, but I was the only one. Gradually, everyone else returned to where they had been before, with one exception. Simon. When everyone else sat, he merely walked out the door, back up the stairs from where we had entered. I called his name, but the door had shut behind him. It was clear he wasn't coming back.
Well, maybe he shouldn't have revealed to Tenger that I knew where the Blade was. Tenger had been bluffing with the lever blade before, or ... maybe he hadn't. Either way, Simon should have trusted me with my lie.
And maybe I should have trusted him with the truth.
For as far as he and I had come, nothing between us was so different from that night he attacked my carriage. He was a Corack.
I was his enemy.
"How long--" Trina's teeth were gritted together so tightly that I barely understood her. "How long have you had it?"
"I found it a few hours before we left Woodcourt, right before I was confined to my room."
"That's why you gave me the trousers to wear. You needed a dress."
"That's why a lot of things, Trina."
"You will give me that dagger," Tenger said.
"First you will give Darrow his medicine." When Tenger hesitated, I added, "You'll take the dagger from me anyway, so you have nothing to lose. But I do. Give him the medicine, I'll give you the weapon, and then you will all leave the room and let me talk to Darrow alone."
Tenger considered my offer with a raised brow, entertained by my boldness. After a long silence in which I was sure he would refuse me, he finally nodded permission at Loelle, who poured the vial of medicine into Darrow's mouth. I hoped what Tenger had said before was true, that this would heal Darrow by morning. Getting him back alive had always been most important. I had to remember that.
"Now the Olden Blade." Tenger held out his hand.
"One word of caution," I said. "If you try to touch it directly, it will burn the skin."
"I could do it," Trina said.
"If you wore gloves, maybe," Gabe put in.
"Yes, after pouring his life force into this dagger, I'm sure that Lord Endrick overlooked that tiny detail." I scowled. "Only a Halderian can touch the Blade, and only someone worthy of it can claim it."
Trina leaned forward. "Who would you consider worthy of the Blade? Someone like you? For a while, I thought we might become friends, that maybe you weren't the spoiled, selfish girl I had expected to meet. But I underestimated you. You are pure Dallisor, cold and calculating and with a soul more dead than the Ironhearts. You lied to us--you lied to me, despite knowing everything I risked to get that dagger! Never ask for my help again. Never ask me to care for you. Because if you do ask, I will turn my back and remember that you only think of yourself."
As recently as three days ago, I would have responded with every cruel thing I could think of to say, including an insult to her grandmother or a comment on the angle of her nose. Three days ago, I'd have made sure the last word was mine, as all Dallisors did.