The Dragon Games

The Truth

Rule #4: no rules apply if the wyvern arrives

Elio's eyes found mine, his stare burning into me. "Samuel Crenshaw took who I loved most, and now I'm returning the favor. Once he knows what it means to suffer, I will kill him."

It took me a moment to remember how to speak. Hell, forget speaking. I forgot how to breathe. "That's impossible," I said, finally finding my voice. "Samuel Crenshaw doesn't accept those kinds of jobs. He has a policy against hurting women or children."

Elio tilted his head to the sky, the rising sun catching his sharp jaw. While I was rattled, he could not be more at ease. "So he just kills them, then?"

"Elio, I swear on my life that Sammy didn't kill your brother or order anyone in his crew to kill your brother."

"Sammy," Elio echoed, rolling the name around his tongue. "You have a pet name for my brother's murderer."

"He didn't —" I broke off, a thought suddenly occurring to me. There wasn't a hint of doubt in his eyes, not even for a moment. He was too sure of himself, too bold. "This isn't the first time you've tried to kill me."

"It wasn't a coincidence that we were roommates. While I pretended to want nothing to do with you, I picked a matching chamber key and reassured Cassian that I was perfectly fine working with a raider. The plan was to get Edmond your location in the arena, then he would kill you. That is until the wyvern's appearance complicated matters." Elio's mouth curved. "But you know what they say, when one door closes..."

"Did your father put you up to this?" I burst out.

"My father didn't even know we were roommates. He's too by-the-book to approve of ..." Elio fell silent, his eyes shifting to the bonfire. Grace was approaching.

"Your hand," she said.

"Elio's not on your side," I said. "He's lying to you – the ritual doesn't require all of my lifeblood. Maybe the ritual does not require any lifeblood, and he created the whole scheme just to kill me!"

Grace frowned at Elio, her eyes dim. "I told you to keep the ritual's requirements to yourself."

"I did," Elio said.

Grace whipped around, glaring at the Windsors. "Who told Raven what the ritual requires?"

"Are you listening to me?" I burst out. "Elio's making a fool out of you! He thinks the raiders killed his brother; that's why we're all here!"

"Murdered by the raiders? My brother died in his sleep from yellow fever." Elio turned to Grace, shaking his head with mock pity. "You were right. The raider will resort to any desperation once she knows her death is inevitable."

I stilled, my lips parting. Bloody hell, Elio was playing us both like drums. He riled me up, making me look unstable, and while I made the mistake of questioning Grace's authority, he fed her ego.

"I—" I spluttered. Too late, I realized what a lethal mistake I made, underestimating Elio. Or better yet, not asking for another chamber the second I recognized his face. "I haven't–"

"Enough," Grace cut in. Her eyes met mine, and I recognized her intention instantly. How could I not? I spent enough time in the raiders to know when someone was trying to kill me. Grace reached for me, and I jerked back, shoving a finger in Elio's face. "He's lying! He's a bloody liar!"

Grace's divine caught my wirst and yanked me within a foot of her. With my free hand, I swung, only to have that wrist captured by divine, too. "Raven, please," Grace said. "I do not meant to hurt you right now. I only want to check your blood."