“We do not need to justify our action to the likes of you —”
“No,” I cut in fiercely, “but you sure as hell have to depend on my help. And you know what? It’s about time you started remembering that. Because without me, there is no way on earth you’re going to get your greedy little mitts on those keys again.”
Risa, Azriel warned. As much as I agree with what you’re saying, antagonizing them might not be wise.
Well, I’ve fucking tried everything else, with little success. Maybe a little anger is precisely what’s needed. I hesitated. Are they close enough to attack yet?
No. They remain outside the barrier.
You can’t breach it?
Given time, Valdis could, but I see little point in weakening either of us that way.
Especially when the Raziq might be waiting for that very thing to happen. A weakened Mijai would be a far easier target.
“Do not think either yourself or your reaper are beyond the reach of our wrath,” the Raziq replied. “What I did to you, I could so easily do to him.”
“I suggest you look a little closer, Yeska.” Azriel’s voice was edged with contempt. “You would not find either of us such an easy target now.”
I gave Azriel a sharp glance. You know him?
We have crossed paths previously. He glanced at me, eyes glowing brightly in the blue and lilac light of the swords. He is Malin’s second. Valdis has tasted his blood in the past.
If the fierce flare of fire along Valdis’s sides was anything to go by, she longed to do so again. Why would a Mijai be sent after a Raziq?
When it became evident they were behind the systematic killing of Aedh priests. Yeska was caught and questioned.
Why wasn’t he killed? Reaper rules?
Yes. If we had known their ultimate plan, however, then perhaps intervention would have been ordered. Instead, it was simply left to the fates.
I snorted. The powers that be obviously had a hell of a lot more faith in fate than I did.
“Interesting,” the disembodied voice that was Yeska replied. “Two have become one. That would explain the lack of response in the device we placed in your heart.”
He could have been discussing the weather, for all the emotion in his voice. And yet, that device had been the only way they’d had of knowing when I was in my father’s presence, so it was a good bet there was a lot of background anger and frustration happening right now.
“Yes,” Azriel replied evenly. “And if you think to rectify the situation in any way, be prepared for the consequences. She is Mijai now. Attack one, and you attack all.”
That certainly explained the attitude of the reaper bearing the two swords. It wasn’t just that I’d made Azriel fail, it’s that I’d put them all in a bad light.
“We have no need to attack either of you,” Yeska replied, a hint of amusement in his tones. “She will comply when the lives of her friends are at stake.”
“No, she won’t,” I spat back. “Because if you harm one hair on the head of anyone I care about, I promise you, the remaining keys will be broken into little pieces and placed where absolutely no one —”
“Do not threaten us.” His fury whipped around us, snatching my breath and stinging my skin.
Amaya reacted instantly, her fire almost sun-bright. Just for a second, I caught a shimmer of energy behind the shield. The Raziq, and more than one of them.
Kill can, Amaya said.
I glanced at her sharply. How? Valdis can’t break the shield, and she’s stronger.
Am smarter, Amaya replied. Use floor.
I glanced down. Fuck, she was right. The floor wasn’t shielded. None of the cavern floors had been shielded, when I thought about it.
They’d see you coming. And see me throw her.