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 return the favor. Once Crenshaw knows what I have suffered, then – and only then – 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 at more ease. "So he just kills them, then?"

"Elio, I swear on my life that Sammy didn't kill your brother, nor order anyone in his crew to kill your brother."

"Sammy," Elio echoed, rolling the name around his tongue. "Isn't that adorable? You have a pet name for my brother's murderer."

"He did not—" I broke off, a thought suddenly occurring to me. There was not 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 was pretending 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 your location in the arena, then Edmond would kill you. That is until Rauuk, the wyvern, and Grace's ambush complicated matters." Elio's mouth curved. "But you know what they say, when one door closes, another opens."

"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 the things I've ..." Elio fell silent, his eyes shifting to the bonfire. Grace approached us, her eyes pinned on my throat.

"Your hand," Grace said.

"Elio's not on your side," I said. "He's lying to you, making you his pawn. The ritual does not require all of my lifeblood. Perhaps the ritual does not require any lifeblood, and he created the whole scheme just to kill me."

Grace's jaw ticked. She turned to 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 Regan what the ritual required?"

"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." Then Elio turned to Grace, shaking his head with mock pity. "It seems you were right. The raider would tell any lie once she knew her death was 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 caught my wrist with her Divine and yanked me within a foot of her. With my free hand, I swung, only to have that wrist captured by Divine, too.