“Keira,” Orin said.
“NO!” I yelled. “Leave me alone!”
“But, just let me fin—”
I grabbed a bag and pushed past him. “I need some space, is that all right!” Orin frowned, confused, and started to follow me. I’m glad Weylyn grabbed his brother’s arm, shaking his head “no.”
I stomped out of the cave, feeling that old, familiar pissed off feeling. “Fucking cryptic BULLSHIT!” I shouted, as I fell to my knees. My shoulder throbbed, but I ignored the pain. I started to scramble up the hillside above the cave. Rocks fell away beneath my feet, but I ignored the dangerous footing, and stubbornly climbed up the stony hill. Adrenaline coursed through my body, urging me to get as far away from the cave as possible. I got more and more angry as I huffed and struggled up the steep grade. But I realized it wasn’t the Twins I was mad about. Instead, all I could think about was the others. Brann, Keegan, and Katie. It was my fault. They saved my life by provoking Dub to chase them. What if he caught them? Goddamit, I didn’t ask for them to die for me.
I made it to the top of the hill and collapsed, tears filled my eyes as I panted. Fuck, fuck, fuck. The brothers have taken everything from me. They will not take my friends from me. I won’t allow it. I can’t allow it. We have come this far, we cannot lose now. “I’ll come for you, I promise,” I whispered into the wind, hoping my promise would carry to wherever they were.
I unzipped the bag and realized it wasn’t mine, but Weylyn’s, I looked in and noticed a bottle of water and granola bar. But something white in the bottom of bag caught my attention. It was wrapped in a towel, and I reached down to unwrap it. The Bone Knife. I had totally forgotten about it. I held the knife in my hand, twisting it in the evening light. Though rust had set in the handle, it was still beautiful. Dull ivory, carved with ancient runes. The blade looked strong, five inches of cold steel, long and jagged. It was alarming to see the handle fit exactly into the palm of my hand.
The greatest murder weapon ever invented was now in my possession.
“Care for some company?” a voice said behind me.
I swung around, the deadly knife feeling like a part of my hand. When I saw the look on Orin’s face, the feeling faded. So did my rage.
“How did you know where I was?”
Orin sat down next to me, and pulled his knees to his chest. He turned his head and tapped his nose. Right. His wolf senses.
The sweet sap was all sweaty, and looked worried. “I— I’m sorry, princess. I know you want to be alone. But I was just too…”
“It’s all right,” I said. “I understand. I’m worried too.”
We sat quietly for a moment. I noticed he was staring at the Bone Knife in my fist. “That’s it, isn’t it?”
I nodded. “Remember when we landed at the beach? I told you I could feel something strange here.”
“We all feel it. The magic is so strong that—”
“Not just that. It’s more. Deeper. I feel a power pulling me. Something dark, and terrifying.”
Orin looks up and nods. “Okay. Go on.”
Really, Keira? I said to myself. Of all your crew, the one person you decide to get metaphysical with is ORIN? Then again, if there was ever a cut-to-the-chase guy, it’s him. Maybe his straight ahead, concrete thinking can see the forest for the trees.
“I don’t think it was the knife calling to me. Or the Donn. Or any of my family legacy. That’s what my head told me, but…”
“But… then who? The Morrigan? Is that it?”
“Nothing so… good.” Although I wasn’t sure myself, I said it anyway. “I think it was the evil brothers. There is something about them, or one of them, that calls to me.”
Shock registered on Orin’s face. “What do you mean?”
“Well for one, I already have the knife in my hand. And the Donn is with us, we set him free. Yet, that strange feeling... I can’t shake it.”
“Well… it’s a strange place. With pookahs, by Jaysus.”
“No. It’s not just this place. It’s too… internal. It’s Darkness. Evil. Violence. That’s what’s pulling me.”
“I don’t think so, princess. You’re not evil. It’s just not in you.”
“Not before, maybe. Not the me getting blasted at keggers, screaming ‘Go Bulldogs!’ But... That girl? She’s gone.”
“She isn’t. She has grown up some, that’s all.”
“What about my sleepwalking? I never sleep-walked before, and now, I do. And whenever that happens, I meet up with Dub.”
“Well…” Orin said, puzzled. “I’m not sure… what does that mean?”
“I think Dub’s darkness calls to something in me. That’s why he is always able to find me, and why I always find myself with him, even when I’m awake. He’s there because he is inside my mind.”
“That doesn’t mean you’re like him.”
“But I am. I’m like all of them. Because my magic is dark magic. I understand why Brann has to fight back against it. The more powerful I grow, the more darkness will take hold of me.”
Orin reached over and took my hand. “You are nothing like them, Keira.”
“I am. Sure, we can make this sound all noble. I’m doing all this to save my bloodline…” I raised my other hand – the one still holding the Bone Knife. “There is so much power in this blade. I can feel it pulsing through me. Like it’s a part of me, this, the most deadly killing tool in creation.”
“Yes, but it’s how you’ll use it. For good.”
“I have to kill them, Orin. Rip them open and drain their power, their life. All of this is just the same evil power,
