Page 163 of Death of the Glass Angel
Aiming for her throat, Talon threw his dagger. She dropped her card. It fluttered to the ground, dissipating into light.
The world shook, like a god had smashed its fist into the ceiling above Talon’s head. He fell to a knee, and his dagger flew off course, striking Heras in the shoulder.
She winced as the blade dug into her flesh, drawing blood. Talon reached for another dagger, but lost control of his arm. Agony streaked through him as the anmarite bracer thrummed.
Heavy weight slammed into his back, throwing him face-first into the floor. A man planted his knee into Talon’s spin and pressed an axe to his throat.
Brand’s voice sounded small beneath the incessant thrumming. “So the assassin reveals himself.”
Pressing a hand to her wound, Heras’s iron gaze fell upon them. “We need to go.” She said desperately.
Talon’s mind raced as Brand hauled him up.
Gemellus had lost sight of Janus. Of Des. Did that mean she was safe, or had something far worse befallen her?
Damn his mission or duty. Talon would not let Des die here.
Slamming his elbow into Brand’s side, Talon twisted out of his grip. Lightning surged through the anmarite bracer, bursting from his fingertips and slamming into Brand’s chest, throwing him against the wall.
Drawing a hidden dagger from his boot, Talon threw it at Brand’s chest, but the prick regained his balance and deflected the steel with his axe. Diving forward, Talon retrieved his weapon in time to parry Brand’s oncoming strike.
Steel rang against the backdrop of destruction as they traded blows. Stepping back, Brand raised his axe to bring down on Talon’s head.
Spinning out of its path, Talon raked his dagger across Brand’s thigh and slipped behind him, kicking the back of his knee. Brand sank, and Talon grabbed his collar, pressing his blade to the exposed skin at Brand’s neck.
“Something drives a hatred in you for Janus.” Talon hissed. “Tell me what.”
A trickle of blood ran down Brand’s throat as he laughed hoarsely. “Wouldn’t you hate someone who takes everything? Who was given a chance to save everything and chose instead to destroy it?”
“Speak plainly.” Talon barked.
“You’re not part of this. Don’t you understand?” Brand’s eyes flashed. “You’re nothing.”
Felsin described a carousing brother—a responsible man who took his job seriously and was fun to drink with. What drove the change into cruelty?
Power. In Talon’s life, power had always been the answer. Dangle a hint of wealth, of alluring flesh, ofpowerbefore their eyes,and the most pious soul would cave.Always.
“You want more than Altanbern’s crown.” Talon realized.
Brand’s eyes blazed with fire—Talon had struck the truth. Flames erupted around them. Smoke filled Talon’s lungs and heat singed his skin as a wall of fire encircled him.
Fire!
He’s going to die.
Not again.
The opera house vanished into white. Talon was a child again, frightened and alone, searching for the hatch in his window as flames licked at his back.
The house his mother died in burned to the ground, killing the last of her memory. Killing Asher. Creating Talon.
His anmarite arm hummed. The flames grew, reaching the ceiling. A shadow marched through the fire, axe raised, and brought itdown on Talon’s head.
42
Felsin/Janus
Let not the glance behind steal away
