Page 66 of Heir of Illusion

Dropping the curtain, he turns back to me. The fear in his eyes is palpable. “It’s dangerous, Iverson. More than you understand.”

He moves closer, gripping my shoulders tightly. On instinct, I crane my neck back to put distance between us. I don’t like anyone being this close to me.

That’s not true. You liked being close to Thorne,my inner voice reminds me.But he didn’t like being close to you.

“Do not trust anyone,” Darrow orders. “Especially those who’ve come into contact with the sword. It doesn’t matter how well you know them, or how close you are. Once the whisperer has them in its grasp, they are a stranger to you. Anyone can be corrupted by it.Anyone.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as shivers skate down my spine.

“Thealmanovadigs its claws into the minds of its victims, making puppets out of them. It can see all their desires, whispering to them to take whatever they want. And no one can resist it for long. Never forget, the Forsaken are capable of anything.”

My brow wrinkles. “Forsaken?”

“That’s what they’re called,” he says. “Those who are under its influence.”

Heaviness settles onto my shoulders as the full weight of his words sinks into me. The situation is precarious. It’s as though this city is teetering on the edge of a cliff, waiting to see if the balance will hold. The sword is out there, corrupting who knows how many people. What are they capable of?

My gaze drifts back to the window, seeing faint outlines rushing down the avenue below. They scurry for cover as the streets soak with rain. How quickly will it turn to blood?

“That’s why I’m going to remain here,” Darrow says quietly, dragging a hand over his face. “In the comfort of Della’s hospitality until this matter is resolved.”

“Wait.” I pull back, shaking my head. “You’re not going to try to help at all?”

“No good deed goes unpunished, Iverson. While you hunt the sword, don’t delude yourself into believing it’s not hunting you too.”

The thought makes me shudder. Despite everything I’ve heard today, some part of me still doesn’t believe it’s possible.

“You’ve spent all these years turning yourself into a predator,” he continues. “But I know you still remember what it’s like to be prey. You need to be careful.”

“And what exactly should she be careful with?” a deep voice cuts in.

Chapter

Eighteen

My head jerks toward the door, finding Thorne glaring at me from the other side of the threshold. He leans against the red wallpaper in what appears to be an easy manner, but I can spot the tension radiating through his lean body. He looks as if he’s a moment away from pouncing on someone. Judging by the way his eyes harden as he takes in my proximity to Darrow, I guess that person is probably me.

“What a coincidence to find you both here,” Thorne drawls. “Funny, this doesn’t look like an apothecary in the Lowers.”

“Well,” Darrow drags out the word as he claps his hands together. “You two clearly have much to discuss. Won’t you please come in and join us?”

“Thank you for the invitation,” the reaper says sarcastically.

Theenchanterwatches with fevered eyes as Thorne lifts his foot, only seconds from crossing the threshold, when he suddenly stops.

A cruel gleam flickers in his eyes. “You didn’t honestly think that would work, did you?”

“Worth a try?” Darrow’s pitch rises as he offers the reaper a pained smile.

Thorne’s gaze shifts to me, utterly unimpressed.

“I’ll wait for you in the alley.” His authoritative tone rankles. “And if I have to come back up here, I won’t be stopping at the threshold.”

Something tells me a little electrocution wouldn’t be enough to take him down. With one last glare, he storms down the hall, his cloak billowing behind him.

“What are you waiting for?” Darrow exclaims as he begins shooing me from the room. “You heard the man!”

Grabbing my shoulders, he pushes me across the carpet and out into the hall.

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