Page 236 of The Ascended
"Your brother killed a Shadowkin. Yesterday. On Olinthar’s order."
"That doesn't mean?—"
"He didn't just kill him, Thais." Xül's voice dropped lower, colder. "He obliterated him."
My stomach dropped.
"You're lying," I yelled.
"I wish I were. The Shadowkin was one of mine. And your brother turned him to bloody mist while Olinthar looked on."
Marx sucked in a sharp breath. Even Aelix looked grim.
"If you’re telling the truth, then there was a good reason for it," I spat. “Or he had no choice.”
"Thais…" Marx murmured, crouching down next to me again.
"My brother is playing a role. Gathering intelligence," I hissed. "He's taking advantage of the situation and learning what he can about Olinthar and Chavore. And Sundralis. Anything you think you've seen is merely the mask he's wearing. Anything he’s done is necessary to maintain appearances."
"And how could you possibly know that, Thais?" Xül asked.
"Because unlike you," I snarled, "my brother doesn't lie to me."
Silence.
"Why is he playing this role?" Aelix asked carefully.
I took a shaking breath, weighing my options. This secret had been buried for so long, kept even from Marx. But if it could save Thatcher...
"If I tell you this, I want something in return." My voice was steady now, cold with purpose.
"You're hardly in a position to negotiate," Aelix pointed out.
"I'm in exactly the position to negotiate." I met his gaze unflinchingly. "Because what I know could change everything about your plot."
Xül stepped closer, shadows curling at his feet. "What do you want?"
"A guarantee. Thatcher lives. No matter what."
"I can't promise that," Xül said immediately.
"Then I have nothing to say."
"Thais, be reasonable?—"
"Reasonable?" I laughed, brittle and cold. "Is any of this reasonable, Xül?"
His face went white with anger or pain—I couldn't tell.
"Listen, Thais. If there’s something you know," Aelix cut in, "something that could change things, something that could help us negotiate for your brother’s life, now would be the time to tell us."
“Negotiate with whom?”
They only stared.
“We will show our hand if you show yours,” Aelix offered.
I looked at him, then at Xül, then at Marx. The only ally I had left in this room.
