Page 232 of Harbinger

Stars, he loves the sound of his own voice.

Thinking means death, so I don’t think.

I move.

I press him before he can speak again, slashing a high cut he meets with his own sword. Next, I aim a low sweep toward his thigh. The dagger flashes down, deflecting the edge with a sharp clang that jolts up my arms.

I overcommit on the next strike, thrusting for his shoulder, putting my weight behind it.

But he’s too fast. Too strong.

He shifts on his feet, lazily rolling his wrist, sword arcing slowly like he’s bored. “Ready to give up? I have more exciting things planned for you.”

I spit at him. “Never.”

He’s too much like his brother.

And that’s exactly why I can beat him.

I let my shoulders sag just enough. Allow my blade to dip as I retreat half a step.

Cassiel moves to attack, and that’s when I see it. The extra weight on his back leg.

The instant he drives forward, I plant my feet, then explode sideways. My boots skid across the stone floor—out of his reach.

His brow flies up in surprise.

I whip my shoulder and wrist into line as hard as I can, my blade whistling through the air just as Cassiel spins. It makes contact, and my heart soars, then plummets as only the tip of my blade slashes a thin line in the sleeve of his tunic.

That was my opening.

But he recovers faster than I do.

His sword snaps down, forcing mine wide. In the same instant, his dagger flashes toward my ribs.

I leap back to avoid it and slam into the stone railing. His sword sparks as it hits a spot a few inches from my face. I roll to avoid his next strike, throwing myself back into the center of the balcony.

Cassiel turns slowly as I regain my footing, like he isn’t in a hurry. Almost like he’s enjoying himself. “Or we could come to some type of arrangement,” he suggests with a smirk. “You could … leave my brother. Come with me. I’ll show you everything he’s too scared to share. Tell you what you really are.”

My stomach turns at the rotten words. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m always serious.” He flips his sword grip in his hand.

Just like I’ve seen Bishop do a hundred times. My heart squeezes, but I keep my eyes on his blade.

“So, what will it be?” Something wild flickers in his eyes. “Live at my side or die by his?”

That’s not even a choice.

I square my shoulders and angle my sword between us, both hands on the hilt. “Carve out my heart,” I say, my voice steady. “You’ll find his name written there.”

His smile widens. “I really do understand what he sees in you. Unfortunately, this is bigger than the three of us. You’ll understand someday.”

He moves before I can react, his sword slamming into mine and driving it to the side. I throw my weight behind my blade, trying to force it back into blocking position, just as he hooks the toe of his boot around my ankle and swipes me off my feet, face first.

I crash onto the stone floor, spots of light swimming in my eyes. My sword spins away from me, toward the edge of the balcony. I can’t reach it. I try to suck down a breath, but my lungs won’t fill. I gasp for air as Cassiel steps over me, the revello glinting in his hand.

He grabs the back of my shirt and yanks me to my feet. His arm wraps around my body like a vise, pinning my back against his chest, and he presses the cold blade of the dagger to my throat with his other hand. The move is so sudden, the ground tilts beneath my feet.