Page 170 of This Blood that Bonds Us

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He stepped forward. “Stop messing around.”

“I’m not. Do it, Luke. Kill me for Her.”

“Don’t make me fight you. You know I’ll win.” He stood, wavering, and anger flashed in his eyes that I’d even dare to try.

“You’re underestimating me.” A smile curled my lips. “You didn’t think I’d come unprepared to die, did you?”

The dagger was heavy in my hand.

Luke’s eyes narrowed at the sight. “What are you doing?”

I stepped toward the altar.

Then I stopped.

“Saving you.”

With one heaving blow, I plunged the dagger into the center of my chest.

A sharp pain followed by a lightness brought me to my knees, but I kept my eyes on my brother. Waiting. Hoping.

His angry scowl turned into wide-eyed surprise, then . . . to grief.

Bond breaker.

I was the key. Without Kimberly, we never would have made it that far—she was the opening, but I was the only one with the missing piece.

My brother was my lifeblood, and it was stronger than Her blood. Our bond would go on forever, and Hers would die. A price to pay to carve the way. Eros figured it out too late.

Lifeblood gave way, a high price to pay.

Fate does not guide us.

We carve our way.

I carved Her out of our story. Their bond with Her was finally severed.

“Oh fuck.” I already felt dizzy. My chest was warm with the blood as it spread across my chest. I gripped at the hilt and fell back across the marble.

Luke pulled off his shirt to cover my wounds and bring me into his reach.

“Why would you do that?!” His hands trembled as he tried to cover the blood spreading farther and farther. “You’re okay. You’re fine. I can fix this. I can.”

“Luke.”

“I can fix this. It’s not too late.”

“Luke.Tell me you remember.”

“What?”

“Tell me you remember Sarah.”

He was panicking, biting his wrist and trying to give me his blood.

“Luke. Stop.” With bloody hands and the only strength I had, I grabbed his face and pulled him closer. “Tell me your favorite memory of Sarah.”

I had to know it worked. That all Her mysticism had left my brothers for good. I had to know they were finally free.

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