Page 204 of Sword & Shadow
“Let me—” Deckard began, but she moved faster than he could.
Quickly surveying the situation, Evylin leaped into the fray. She swept Ethenn’s leg first, knocking him to his back. Then shegrabbed a fistful of Thom’s collar, jerking him away. “Stop it!” she commanded, effectively ending the fight.
Thom thrust a finger in Ethenn’s direction. “He started it!” he retorted, blood trickling out of his nose. Half of his face was red from the blows, and his lip was split as well.
“And I’m telling you to end it,” Evylin returned, then whirled on Ethenn. “And I’m telling you to grow up and control yourself!”
Slowly rising from the dirt, Ethenn ground his teeth, but he didn’t respond.
Evylin released Thom with a shove. “What is wrong with you two?”
“I’m tired of his shit,” Ethenn said, yanking down the hem of his coat.
Evylin huffed. “Aren’t we all? But you’re supposed to have better sense.”
“He’s a boy, Evie,” Thom said, then spat out a clot of blood. “One who can’t see when he’s not wanted.”
“Like someone else I know,” Ethenn shot back.
Thom stepped forward aggressively, but Evylin blocked his path. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he shouted at the young man.
“You know exactly what it means,” Ethenn replied, a clear threat in his voice.
Evylin’s stomach twisted, and Thom glowered. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he snarled.
Ethenn raised his chin. “I heard you.”
Evylin slumped. Thom swallowed. Around them, Deckard and the others waited, their attention rapt in the deafening silence.
“I’m a Warrior, remember?” Ethenn said. “Heightened senses and all that. I knew you were up to something, so I listened.”
“Ethenn, don’t,” Evylin whispered.
“You heard nothing,” Thom said disdainfully.
Ethenn’s eyes glimmered with rage. “I heard you tell Evylin you love her and want to be with her.”
A cold breeze rattled the trees. Raggedly, Evylin’s breath slipped out. She closed her eyes, feeling Deckard’s gaze burning on the back of her skull. This secret was never supposed to be revealed. She’d meant her promise to Thom; Deckard never needed to find out. The brothers’ relationship could remain intact. Now, it would be broken beyond repair.
Nearest her, Thom shifted unsteadily. “So what?” he said, though his voice was shaky.
Evylin wanted to move away, feeling as though her proximity made her guilty by association.
A sharp, sardonic chuckle came from behind Evylin. She turned to see Deckard shaking his head in disappointment. “I already knew,” he said with frightening calm. “I just didn’t think you’d do anything about it.”
“Well, I did,” Thom said, a look between dread and anger entering his face.
Deckard nodded, his expression cold.
“Don’t worry,” Thom said sourly. “She told me no.”
Deckard’s eyes met Evylin’s for the merest second before he turned back to his brother. “Why?”
“I’d guess because she doesn’t feel the same.”
“No, Thom,” he said, anger seeping into his voice. “Why did you do it?”
Thom’s voice was tense when he shouted back. “Because I’m tired of watching you get what I deserve!”
