Page 65 of The Falconer

It’s a stupid thing to say. I know the fae will do whatever it takes to destroy and conquer, and they do nothing fairly. But Kiaran doesn’t realise I’m trying so hard to pretend that I have hope, that I’m wishing for a different outcome for us all. Because for us to survive, we’ll need an army of our own. And we don’t have one.

‘We did not gain dominion over every continent by being polite,’ he says coldly. ‘Make no mistake, when thedaoine sìthcome, they will annihilate everything in their path. People will die. Your friends, your father, that blasted pixie included. They will tear this city apart and, in the end, they will burn you from the inside out. I never said a thing about fairness. I taught you better.’

God, how Kiaran brings out the monster in me. All he has to do is imply that I’m naïve and rage burns me hotter than my fever.

‘Youmake no mistake,’ I say. ‘I won’t let any of that happen.’

Kiaran’s lip twitches. His usual almost-smile. ‘Train to survive, Kam. Else you’ll lose.’

‘We’ve been training for a year!’

The almost-smile is gone. He’s back to looking at me like I’m a complete idiot. ‘You’ve made me bleed once. The other Falconers would have prepared their entire lives for this battle.’

My head starts to pound. I swipe the sweat off my brow. ‘Do you see anyone else here, MacKay? I’m all that’s left. And I’m as prepared as I’ll ever be.’

I’ve failed at doing everything expected of me. My reputation, my future – both are out of my hands. I won’t allow Kiaran to let me doubt the part of me that seeks vengeance. That part will stop at nothing until the fae are decimated.

He leans towards me, eyes never wavering from mine. ‘Then show me. Prove it.’

In an instant, I forget all etiquette and manners. I disregard my illness. Kiaran has challenged me. He wants proof? I’ll show him.

I attack. Our bodies collide and we’re on the floor. We crash into the legs of the table and teacups clang together. I shove aside my petticoats for thesgian dubhat my thigh, and strike right for his throat.

Kiaran smacks the blade out of my hand, sends it careening across the carpet.Damn him!‘Try harder,’ he tells me.

Try harder?I smash my fist into his face. I roll off him and scramble for the blade. Friction from the carpet burns my elbows. Before I reach it, Kiaran drags me back.

I deliver a hard kick to his shoulder and lunge for the blade again. My fingers close around the hilt and I launch myself at him. We slam into the wall and the bookcase next to us shakes. My blade is firmly pressed against his throat. ‘You wanted proof.’ My voice is raspy. ‘There it is.’

We breathe together, our bodies so close. I can feel the pulse at his neck and its cadence matches my own. His gaze meets mine and I swear there’s pride in his eyes. Kiaran is proud of me.

My vision clouds then, and dots flash in front of my eyes. I stumble. My grip on the blade falters and it clatters to the floor. My skin is blazing so hot that it hurts and my legs barely hold me. I cough and cough and cough, so hard that my entire body shakes.

Kiaran steadies me, his hand pressed firmly against my back. ‘Kam? Your skin is burning.’ He lifts the hand from my back and his fingers come away bloody. ‘And you’re bleeding.’

I lick my scaly, chapped lips and manage to speak. ‘We just fought. Of course I’m bleeding.’ My words are slurred, as though I’ve downed a quarter bottle of whisky.

‘This isn’t something I did,’ he insists. He tries to turn me, plucking at my day dress to get a peek at my back.

I push at his chest. ‘What are you doing?’

‘Stop being ridiculous and turn around.’

‘No.’ I smack his hands. ‘Stop this at once, MacKay.’

‘You’re being difficult.’

‘You’re grabbing at me like a vile drunkard.’ I smack his hands again. ‘What do you intend to do? Use your faery wiles on me?’

Kiaran glares at me. ‘Let me see it, Kam.’

‘I’m perfectly all right. It’s just one of my injuries from last night.’

‘It’s bad enough that blood is soaking right through whatever it is you’re wearing. Now turn around.’

I sigh with exasperation and walk to the couch. I sit with the back of my dress facing him. ‘Fine. There. Are you happy now?’

Kiaran settles on the couch with me, his body warm behind my own. ‘I need to unbutton your dress.’

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