Realm of Shadows (The Iron King's Assassin Book 2) by Thea Atkinson

Author:Thea Atkinson [Atkinson, Thea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-10-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Blood rose to my cheeks, flushing them with anger at Stone's words. Just how weak did he think I was, anyway? I had the vague thought that the rage was coming from the sudden fuel of the Bloodmist, and that if Stone was worried about this Shadow Trail, then reason suggested I give him a listen. But it was too late. I was already storming toward him, fully intending to get in his face and argue that I most certainly could travel wherever the hell I wanted. I was no weak, shy, wilting petunia.

"If you don't think I have the balls, Stone," I ground out with the stupid drug ratcheting up my pique to far past cocaine level aggression. "Then maybe you should have black-mailed Gideon to do your dirty work."

Oh, the Bloodmist was roiling now. I actually hoped Stone would try me. The three of them were right there. I'd have to take out all three, sure, but—

Blade scooped me neatly by the elbow as I sped past him, holding me back from Stone. Terran fixed his attention on the dark enforcer's hand on my arm and his mouth twitched to the side. That infuriated me more.

I snapped my elbow back into the dark enforcer's stomach. For an instant, I tasted the smug tang of satisfaction, but that quickly soured as my bone met rigid muscle. I smothered the wince of pain and fixed my gaze on Stone because I did not want to see Blade's face right then.

Stone simply shook his head. "You don't get it, Ava." He directed a hateful look at Blade. "He suggested Erachne because he wants to get rid of me even if it takes you out in the process."

Blade laughed, a humorless sound. "You flatter yourself that I care what happens to you."

Stone turned to Terran. "You know we've lost high Fae on the Shadow Trail."

"It's the only way to get to Erachne," Terran countered. He crossed on ankle lazily over the other.

"Would you let Blade sabotage this plan, Father?" Stone said, his voice low. "Let me fetch Erachne to us. I'll use whatever means we have to convince her—"

I snorted. "Meaning blackmail."

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "You don't get it, Ava—"

"I'll go."

The words clung to the air with nails of iron and it took a few seconds for everyone to realize it was Blade who'd spoken them. All eyes turned to him.

He shrugged, a lazy moment that didn't match the unearthly glint in his eyes as he raked me head to heel in a way that made my spine tense up. "I'll take her."

As surprised as I was to hear this solution, it seemed to enrage Stone. His eyes flashed with a mix of anger and frustration. The cords in his neck were rigid columns of granite as his throat worked to form what I presumed was going to be a hot retort. Didn't matter. I wasn't about to let him stand up for me. I didn't need it. Not from him.

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