Page 305 of Commanding Blood And Bonds
Heat prickled beneath my skin. It took every ounce of training not to snap.
“Well, that’s bullshit. I asked if I was missing anything.”
“Don’t take it personally. She’s not known for transparency. Hell, even Blaz didn’t get access to her personal collection until last year.”
“Why on earth would she insist on teaching me the history of the Middle Realm and then withhold…” My breath hitched.
The irritation drained in an instant, replaced by cold calculation. My attention locked on his face—his carved features caught in the dying sun.
Who didn’t have access until last year?
“What did you just say?”
FIFTY-SEVEN
PRETTY LITTLE LIAR
FREYA
“What?” Cyrus asked, face schooled into that immovable mask of calm.
“How would you know that?” I stepped in, jabbing a finger into his chest. “You just said Blaz didn’t get access to the restricted library until last year. How. Would. You. Know. That?”
“I must’ve—”
“So help me God, I will knock your pretty lights out if you lie to me right now, Cyrus Stuart. You do not misspeak.”
A satisfied smile tugged at his lips, slanting to the left. “You think I’m pretty?”
“This has been well established. Don’t change the subject.” I gave him a sharp shove. He didn’t budge, only let his smirk widen.
“Just nice to hear, given the circumstances.”
“The circumstances where you’re lying to—” A ribbon of shadow slid up my cheek and wrapped around my mouth. I narrowed my eyes at the smug bastard, yanked on his magic, and conjured shadows of my own. His gaze dipped to where mine surged from the earth, rolling toward his boots like a tide. The beautiful asshole stepped closer, towering above me until I had to crane my neck to hold his gaze as my shadows twined up his legs.
“Not. Here,” he said coolly, nodding toward the house.
I lunged for his hand, ready to jump us out of here and rip him a new one, but he twisted away, yanking out of reach. A growl built in my throat as I turned on him again, my shadows stealing the gag off my mouth.
“Oh, stop smiling, you intolerable ass. I called you pretty—are you twelve?”
“If we leave, can you be civil long enough to hear me out, or are you determined to remain feral?”
“The last thing you’ll ever do is domesticate me.”
“So…you’re saying there’s a chance?”
“Jesus Christ.” I hurled my shadows forward, locking him in place long enough to grip his wrist and jump before he could blink. The last thing I heard was his goddamn laugh—then we landed hard on Bellaton’s front lawn.
His humor vanished and my smile bloomed. “Not so funny now, is it?”
“Reyna—”
“—is under direct orders from Alvara to summon all souls before the Equinox. She’s in the Middle until they return.”
His brows twitched, faint surprise leaking through his mask. “What’s happening on the Equinox?”
“That’s above a liar’s pay grade.” I offered my sweetest smile. “You and Blaz are in contact? And so help me if you lie again—”
