Page 91 of This Dark Descent
Mikira’s hand curled around the railing. “You act like I could put a knife in Rezek’s heart and be done with him. It’s not that easy.”
“It could be,” Talyana replied. “The house system is broken.”
“They’re not all bad,” she said, thinking of Damien, then of the ring in her boot.
Talyana snorted. “Damien Adair is just the same, Kira. I hate that you’re tied to him.”
“He’s helping me save my family.”
“And tearing down another while he’s at it.” Talyana’s voice dropped to a low hiss. “He’s only helping you because you’re useful to him. The moment you’re not, he’ll drop you. He’s just like all the rest. A spoiled, rich noble who thinks the law doesn’t apply to him.”
She winced. That much she couldn’t deny, not if the ring meant what she thought it did. If Damien had truly killed that man, if he’d done half the things the rumors said, was she any better than them if she stood by and did nothing?
Her hands tightened on the railing. How had she even ended up here, caught between feuding lords and wrapped in a web of conspiracy? Every choice she made held a thousand implications, and while she was busy trying to survive, Rezek and Damien went on with their game.
Even now, she wanted Damien to fix everything, to find a way to undo it all. How far had she strayed that her first instinct was to ask a nobleman for help? If he was truly responsible for that man’s death, he had to be held accountable.
It all felt like too much. Too much responsibility, too many decisions. She was never any good at this. Every time she made a choice, she chosewrong. But Talyana—Talyana had always had an answer, even when they were kids. Maybe she could help now too.
Talyana’s eyes narrowed. “What is it, Kira?”
She hesitated. “Promise me you won’t tell anyone.”
“I can’t—” She cut off, then nodded. “I promise.”
“Have you heard about the body that washed up on the bank of the Grey?” Mikira glanced over her shoulder, knowing Reid would return soon.
“Yes.”
“Well, it washed up on my property first.”
Surprise flashed across Talyana’s face, but Mikira pressed on. “I found this in his hand.” She fished the ring from her boot.
Talyana’s eyes widened. “A House Adair ring.”
“The one Damien’s wearing is a fake.” Mikira rushed on. “And the only reason I can think he would have hidden losing his ring—”
“Is if he couldn’t have anyone knowing,” Talyana finished for her. “Because he killed that man and that ring is the evidence.”
Hearing it out loud, a fresh wave of guilt seized her. How could she have kept this to herself? If Damien had truly killed this man, she was enabling a murderer.
“Maybe it’s a trick,” she said weakly. “Maybe someone’s trying to frame him.”
“Kira,” Talyana said, her tone off. “I need that ring.”
Mikira stepped back. “What?”
“Please, I don’t have time to explain.” She held out a hand.
Mikira clasped her fist to her chest. “I don’t understand.”
Talyana cursed, and for a moment Mikira thought she was going to make a grab for the ring, but then she spotted something over Mikira’s shoulder and indecision flickered through her expression.
Then she said very quietly and very quickly, “Remember that I’m your friend. What I’m going to do, I’m doing for you, and everyone like you.”
“Tal!”
But she was already gone, disappearing into the crowd. Then Mikira saw who Talyana had seen.
