Page 74 of Amethyst and Iron
“You’re talking about Lazriel.”
“I have no doubt he’d fight like hell to bring me back. Velra and Cassius can both see reason, but Lazriel… it’s much harder for him to see reason through love.”
“That’s right, you infuriating, stubborn, reckless, know-it-all motherfucker… I love you. I fucking love you and I can’t lose you either. Do you understand me?”
“I love you, too. Truly, deeply, and maddeningly.”
“Then please respect that.”
Lazriel’s words to me just before I’d gone ahead and performedAuctoritas Mortis.
“How are they?” I asked Kai.
“Velra has healed. Cassius is well. Lazriel is protected.”
“I’ve never heard you dance around things the way you have been during most of this conversation.” I shifted my weight, as much as I could with the six tubes pumping my serum through my veins. “What’s happened? To Lazriel?”
“I’ve been told that I can be a brutal bastard with my desire to get to the point. And it may have been impressed upon me by Ari that it really wouldn’t go over well with this particular conversation.”
“I see. Cute. Very cute—especially for you.”
He gave me one of his vicious glares.
“There it is. More of that, all right?”
“You don’t want my gentle side?”
“When have I ever?”
“This is different, brother.”
“Yeah, it is. And that’s why I can’t haveyoube too. Not the way you treat me, nor the way you interact with me.” I sighed. “Iamsick, and I’m feeling the full force of it. I can’t keep pushing to get information out of you. You don’t want me stressed out, I get it. But I still need to know.”
“It’s not just that. I don’t want your choice here being influenced.”
“You mean you don’t want me trying to use my magic.”
“Yes,” he admitted.
“So, something has happened to Lazriel?”
“Heissafe. But he’s also gone.”
“Gone?”
“He managed to access your Blood Trace results you pulled from him. He then had a magic-wielder assist him with tracking his father. He’s with him now. With The Shadowed. Deep underground. Unreachable. He headed out to obtain information onPuritasand to try to find a cure for you as well.”
“Fuck.” I scrubbed my hand over my face.
“He’s safe, Sylas. And this is obviously something he needs to do.”
“Yeah… I know. I know it is. I just…”
“The four of you need to be together right now, especially in light of everything. I get it. Believe me. And you will be. Sometimes, however, there are individual journeys that need undertaking before that can happen. Without that, the bond can become unstable. Toxic, even.”
“And Velra? Her magic and abilities? In light of her trauma? Fucking dying again… and because of that motherfucker, Sorin?”
“According to Cassius, she’s faring well, considering. There have been some issues, but he’s with her.” His lips quirked. “And, strangely, he’s actually opened up. He even went to Warlow and Cornelius for help, swallowed his pride. All for her. It resulted in the two of them being allowed to frequentMordrek Mountainswhere she’s been releasing a lot of pent-up magical energy and training with Cassius as well.”
