Page 185 of Born of Blood and Ash

He wasn’t listening. Instead, he said, “And I will gladlysee it carried out.”

“No, you will not.” Attes planteda hand on Kyn’s shoulder, shoving him back. “You aren’t going to do shit.”

Kyn laughed. “I always thought you were a little soft. Butthis? I never believed you capable of being this much of a fool.”

“It is not I who is the fool.” Attesfollowed as Kyn stepped to the side. “You need to leave.”

“But I just got here.” Kyn edged to the side more. “And Ihaven’t received my payment. Nor any thanks.”

“And what do you think we need to thank you for?” Ash asked.

I couldn’t wait to hear this.

“For staying out of the goodness of my heart and attemptingto talk some sense into you.”

“Do any of us look like we need that?” Thierranasked.

“You always look like you need that.” Kyn shadowstepped, passing his brother.

Shadows spun across the floor, rising within inches of Kyn,forcing him back a foot.

Ash’s wings thickened behind him. “I thought you were goingto handle him.”

“Yeah, well, it’s taking me a minute,” Attesmuttered.

“If you stand against Kolis,”—Kyn lifted a hand, sending hisbrother skidding backward—“you will spend the next several centuries regrettingit.”

“Do you think we haven’t already spent centuries doing justthat?” Attes spat, a pale shade of gray appearingjust under his flesh.

Kyn’s lips peeled back. “Kolis has only done what wasnecessary.”

“Are you serious?” I demanded. “If you’re going to supporthim, then at least be truthful about who you are supporting.”

“And what would that truth be?”

“That he’s a monster,” I hissed, eathercrackling from my skin as I sidestepped Nektas. “Andthe worst parts of you have benefited from that.”

“It doesn’t have to continue to be that way,” Attes said, clasping Kyn’s shoulder from behind. He spunhim around. “You weren’t always this—”

“This what?” Kyn shrugged off his brother’s grasp.

“Violent,” Attes answered withouthesitation. “Aggressive. Bitter. Demeaning—”

“He’s always been annoying as fuck,” Ash cut in, shadowsswirling rapidly around his legs. “Just wanted to throw that out there.”

Kyn’s head whipped toward Ash. “Fuck you.”

“You weren’t always hungry for vengeance,” Attes rushed on. “You used to live for peace. Both of usdid. What you’ve become is Kolis’s fault. His actions have corrupted you.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” Kyn snarled.“If his actions corrupted me, then it would’ve done the same to you.”

“You think I haven’t felt his influence? I have,” Attes shouted. “All of us have. You know I speak the truth,and the Fates know I should’ve spoken it earlier than this.” Attes’s voice roughened. “I should’ve stepped in centuriesago. But it’s not too late to stop this.”

“It might be too late for you, brother.” Kyn extended hisarms. “For all of you.”

“It’s about to be too late for your ass if you don’t get thefuck out of my Court,” Ash warned.

Kyn spun, baring his fangs. Eather swelled inside me,pressing against my skin.

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