The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

Alastir stared straight ahead. “I did.”
“Those Craven may have been the ones to tear into her
skin, but it was ultimately you who is responsible for her
pain—for the scars both visible and hidden. For that alone, I
should kill you.” Casteel sheathed his sword. “But I won’t.”
“W-what?” Alastir’s head jerked in his direction. “You…
you offer me a reprieve?”
“I’m sorry.” Casteel didn’t sound even remotely
apologetic. Emil was right. He was amused. “I think you
misunderstand. I said I should kill you, but I won’t. I didn’t
say you wouldn’t die tonight.” He looked over his shoulder
at the trees.
To where I waited.
Emil nodded as he stepped aside.
I walked forward.
A harsh breath was the only sound as I crossed the
distance. Alastir’s eyes widened. Our gazes met and held. A
guttural rumble of warning came from behind me. Warm fur
brushed my hand as Kieran prowled forward, coming to
stand beside me.
Heart strangely calm, I held the dagger under the cloak
as Alastir looked up at me in shock. “How…?” His
handsome, scarred face contorted as his surprise slipped
away, and rage etched his features. His hatred was a
tangible entity. “Do it. I dare you. It won’t matter. This
doesn’t end with me. You’ll prove me right. You will—”
Swinging my arm in a quick, sweeping arc, the
bloodstone sliced deep into his throat, ending the poisonous
words in a gurgle.
I knelt, catching Alastir by the shoulder before he fell
forward. We were at eye-level now, the shock of the wound
replacing the hatred in his eyes. I had no idea what mine
showed—if they showed anything.
“I will never think of you again after this night,” I
promised, wiping the blade clean on the front of his tunic,
just as Casteel had. “I just wanted you to know that.”