Page 119 of Ruling Destiny

Fueled by a mix of panic and adrenaline, I bolt from the villa and onto the street.

I need to find Braxton. Hopefully before Killian can reach him, but seeing as how he got a head start, it’s not looking good.

There’s also the matter of where to look first—the baptistery where I left him, or the portal he might try to return to. Either way, I need to act fast—choose a direction. And I’m just about to turn toward the famous red dome when I notice a strip of muslin anchored under a rock.

At first I start to ignore it, but then, I spot another bit of muslin. Then another. And I realize Killian has taken the fabric I used to bind him and dropped them like breadcrumbs. He wants me to find him.

And when I do, unfortunately, it’s even worse than I feared.

Killian is waiting in the same spot where the portal left us, only he isn’t alone.

My gaze darts between him and Braxton. And though I’m filled with relief to see Braxton’s alive, it’s quickly overshadowed by the blade Killian holds fast to his throat.

“We’ve been waiting on you,” Killian says.

I suck in an unsteady breath, trying to keep my panic in check. “So much for your promise to make it up to me,” I say, hoping to distract him as my hand creeps toward my dagger.

“I’d think twice about that, Shiv.” Killian nods toward my weapon and prods the tip of his own blade deeper into Braxton’s flesh.

My stomach reels at the sight. And when I see the stream of blood running down the side of Braxton’s face that I’m guessing is from his earlier head wound, and the trickle of blood spilling from the spot where Killian just punctured his throat, it’s all I can do to swallow down the scream rising inside me.I need to keep my cool. I need to—

“Stop.” I raise both hands so Killian can see them, wanting him to know I’m not a threat, that I’ll do anything to save Braxton. “Just—tell me what you want.”

“I want the Moon, Shiv.” With his free hand, Killian reaches toward me. “Hand it over so your boy and I can bring it back to Arthur. I trust you can survive on your own until the next portal appears or you decide to give your new plan a go.”

“But you promised,” I say. “You promised you’d—”

“And I intend to keep my promise,” he says. “Just as I’ll keep my promise to Arthur. But this tosser”—he scratches his blade up the side of Braxton’s neck—“I owe him nothing.”

“If you hurt him, I’ll never forgive you,” I say. “Are you really willing to risk that?”

“Oh, I’m afraid we’re already there.” Killian shrugs. “I killed your father, don’t forget.”

As if I could.

I glance between the two of them, trying to determine what to do next.

“So, I guess that was all just a bunch of talk back at the palazzo,” I say. “The fact that you’re doing this proves you’re still the same cocky asshole you were at fourteen.”

Killian’s gaze narrows. “You ever hear the one about the scorpion and the frog, Shiv?”

I remain standing before him. I have no idea where this is leading. But if Killian’s talking, he’s not hurting Braxton, and I give him my full attention.

“It goes like this: A scorpion asks a frog for a ride across a river. The frog refuses—he’s worried about getting stung, and rightly so. But the scorpion convinces the frog he wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing as it would only result in them both drowning. Seeing the logic in that, the frog agrees, allowing the scorpion to hop onto his back. They’re barely halfway across the river when the scorpion stings the frog. ‘Why the hell did you do that?’ the frog asks as they’re both going down. ‘Because it’s in my nature,’ says the scorpion.”

I stare at Killian. “Let me guess—you’re the scorpion in this charming tale.”

“Only you can stop this,” Killian says. “Give me the Moon, and your boy lives. If not, you can watch him die before I drag you back with me.” Killian jabs the blade deeper into his flesh, causing the blood to go from a slow trickle to a steady drip, and I can’t stand another second of this. I can’t—

“Don’t!” I cry, my voice hoarse, my throat burning with fear. “Just—” With one hand raised, I use the other to slowly reach into my pocket. “I’ll give you the Moon—just leave Braxton out of it.”

“But it’s like I told you,” Killian says. “The Moon’s no good without him. Only a Timekeeper can deliver it into the future.”

Braxton’s gaze fixes on mine. Another secret revealed. Only none of this is going the way that I’d hoped.

“Hand it over, please!” Killian says.

I look to Braxton, noting the subtle shake of his head.

---