Page 145 of Ravenous

Arctos

Pieces slid into place like a trap snapping shut.

For reasons he couldn’t yet fathom, Yrsa had aligned herself with the vampires.

Betrayal of the clan. Betrayal of him. Torben had been right all along to suspect her.

“Does she have a connection to Bloodreach?” Emilia asked, gaze wide. “Neculain isn’t lucid enough to lure her to his side, and surely gold couldn’t tempt her.”

“I don’t know,” Arctos said, voice low. “But it explains why she forbade us from rescuing our own. Still…why order me to steal you from under their noses?”

“I have no idea,” Emilia said.

“I need to find Torben.” He checked his sword. “He’s seen this more clearly than any of us. But it’s not safe for you here, not yet. I sense you’re part of this. The key somehow.”

Emilia donned her own sword belt, chin high. “I’m going with you.”

Her determination—her steadiness—caught him off guard. For amoment, she looked every inch a Berserker warrioress, the kind he’d once imagined at his side.

“Yes,” he heard himself say. “You’ll remain with me. Let’s find my cousin. We need an honest reckoning.”

But first, an apology.I’ve awakened, my cousin, my brother. Icansee—

Agony ripped through him.

He looked down, stunned, as a golden blade burst through his heart.

Chapter 55Lia

Arctos’s body bowed, face slack with shock. Blood bubbled from his lips as a gold sword punched clean through his chest.

Lia froze. Her mind refused to understand. Until the scent of incense struck her like a curse.

Co?tin.

He yanked the blade free, holding it aloft as crimson dripped down the gleaming length.

Always him. Always fucking Co?tin.

With a scream, Lia caught Arctos as he fell. “Ah, no, Arctos!” She lowered him gently, palms slick with his blood. Too much. He was still mortal. He couldn’t survive this.

Her friend. Her husband.

“Berserker life suits you, little sister,” Co?tin said lightly. Sweat streaked down his temples, and his right hand was gone. “Once you’re tamed, perhaps I’ll let you drill with my army. But for now, come along. I have a crown fitting. You’ll love what I’ve done with the kingdom.”

“You monster.” Her voice broke with fury. “I’ll kill you for this.” Her promise to herself:I’ll never not fight again.

Arctos rasped her name, lungs rattling.

This time, she didn’t run from her brother. She drew her sword and lunged.

Co?tin barely deflected the strike, tracing out of reach. Teleporting with ease,he reappeared across the den, sword spinning lazily in his grip. Blood spattered the stone walls as he taunted, “Little sister fell for a bear. I’ll break you of that.”

Despite the haze of blood, she detected the queen’s unique scent. Realization hit her like fire. “You’ve been working with Yrsa!”

His grin turned obscene. “Not my fault the queen loses her wits whenever I sink my fangs into her. She quivers like a lovesick whore every time.”

Choking back nausea, Lia demanded, “Whose blood marks you?”