A Fire in the Flesh (Flesh and Fire, #3)

“That is his name,” Kyn confirmed.

Kolis studied the god. “Rhain, a god of the Callasta Isles,” he said, sending a bolt of surprise darting through me. He’d originally served Veses? I’d never known which Court Rhain came from. “And son of Daniil. You look so much like your father.” He rose. “Well, you resemble your father the last time I saw him.”

I sucked in a sharp breath, his meaning clear.

“Fuck you,” Rhain spat.

Kyn reacted without hesitation. I flinched when his booted foot slammed into Rhain’s back, knocking him to his stomach.

I jerked forward when Rhain groaned, turning his head so his one good eye was visible. He spat out a mouthful of blood.

“I’m sure your father said the same thing,” Kolis replied. “I’ll tell you what I told him. No, thank you.”

Panic seeded itself deep inside me, taking root. Feeling as if the chamber had shrunk in size, I stepped to the side toward the locked door. My hands opened and closed at my sides, the embers in my chest throbbing.

“Did you…did you tell him?” Rhain rasped, the words warped. “Why you were…going to murder him?”

“He already knew.” Kolis approached him. “He committed an act of treason. Like father, like son, I see.”

“Conspiring?” A wet, broken laugh rattled from Rhain. Seemingly with sheer strength of will, he managed to get his knees under him. “My father…only refused to…become a murderous henchman.”

I hadn’t known any of this—or anything about Rhain, really. It wasn’t like we’d chatted often and got to know each other. The god had been wary of me from the moment I arrived in the Shadowlands. And after he learned that I’d planned to kill Ash, he understandably hadn’t been fond of me.

“What you call a murderous henchman, I call a loyal servant.” Kolis stopped in front of Rhain. “Ah, look at you.”

Rhain struggled to stand, his chest heaving with the effort, but he got his feet under him. His hair was even darker now, sweat mingling with the blood. But, gods, he stood. “You…you don’t know what loyalty…is.”

“And you do?” Kolis asked softly. “Your father thought he did. He was wrong.” He looked over at the other Primal. “What do you think, Kyn?”

“I said what I think.” The Primal of Peace and Vengeance crossed his arms. “He’s a fucking idiot.”

“Fuck you,” Rhain spat.

Kyn stepped toward him.

The false King held up a hand, stopping the Primal. Growling low in his throat, Kyn backed off.

Rhain smirked.

And a huge part of me respected that. It was something I’d do, but I could also be a fucking idiot. I glanced at the cage door again, thinking about the hidden key. There was no way I’d get to it and get out. Even if I did, then what? I didn’t know, but I had to do something.

Because what I felt? And what I saw clear as day in my mind? It was like a prophetic vision. There was only one reason Kyn would bring Rhain to Kolis alive. Pressure clamped down on my chest. I knew what was about to happen.

Kolis was going to kill Rhain.

“So, you followed Kyn in hopes he’d lead you to Nyktos?”

Rhain didn’t answer as he swayed unsteadily.

“See, I have questions about that,” Kolis continued. “You’d truly have to be an idiot if you thought you could follow Kyn without being caught.”

The other Primal’s smile was smug.

“But I know something he doesn’t.” Kolis leaned forward.

The corners of Kyn’s lips straightened.

“Your father was an excellent tracker, able to move as a wraith, unseen and unknown. Until it was too late. It was why I wanted him to handle a few…errands for me,” Kolis said. Only this madman would call murdering someone an errand.

Actually, he had that in common with my mother. Go figure.

“I’m sure he passed those talents on to you. He did when it came to his eldest son, Mahiil.”

I jolted. Rhain had a brother? I had a horrible feeling that had was the keyword there.

“And I also know that my nephew wouldn’t surround himself with idiots,” Kolis added. “What I think is that you allowed yourself to be caught.”

My lips parted as I stared at Rhain.

“And I also think being led to Nyktos wasn’t your only goal or hope.” Golden eather swirled across Kolis’s bare chest. “So, I will only ask you this question once, and unless you wish to end up like your father and brother, I suggest you answer truthfully.”

My gods, my suspicions were correct. Kolis had also killed Rhain’s brother. So many of those close to Ash had suffered because of Kolis. Too many—

Seraphena.

I stiffened, my stare swinging to Rhain. His voice. I’d sworn I heard it in my mind.

“Were you attempting to discover Nyktos’s location?” Kolis pressed.

Seraphena. Rhain’s voice came again. Listen to me.

My throat dried. Either I was hearing him, or I was losing my mind.

“Or hers?” Kolis asked.

My heart stuttered. One brown eye locked onto mine.

“See? I think it’s the latter.” Kolis was less than a foot from the battered god. “And Kyn didn’t just bring me a gift. He gave one to you.”

My gaze darted to the other Primal. He was frowning.

Remember what you did when you learned what Veses had done?

Okay. I had to be hearing him because that was a weird thing to think.

When you saw her with Nyktos?

“Because I know something else that he doesn’t.” Eather whirled faster across Kolis’s flesh.

Use the essence, Rhain’s voice whispered amid my thoughts. And bring this entire palace down—

Kolis shot forward, grabbing Rhain by the throat. I cried out in surprise.

“Silence,” Kolis warned, shooting me a look before refocusing on Rhain. “I know what your father was capable of. I also know what he passed on to both of his sons.”

Rhain gasped for air as Kolis lifted him off the floor.

“Only a few of Veses’ gods are capable of…what did she call it?” Rhain gagged, and Kolis smiled broadly. “Thought projection?”

“What the fuck?” Kyn snarled, his arms unfolding.

Holy shit, I had heard Rhain’s voice. But what he asked of me? When I’d lost control? I didn’t know how I’d made the House of Haides tremble. Though even if I did, it wouldn’t kill Kolis. Rhain had to know that.

“It’s a one-way street, but still effective.” Golden essence throbbed around Kolis. “Especially when it comes to communicating things to others. Those before them.” His grip tightened, causing Rhain to wheeze. “And even long-distance. The question remains. Exactly how talented are you? Like your brother? He could project his thoughts to those if he made eye contact.”

All those times I’d seen Rhain, and he’d been quiet, yet those he was with seemed to know what he needed or thought before he spoke it… Like when he’d been with Ash and me beneath the palace. Do it. Rhain had told Ash as he tore another root free. Do it now. Rhain hadn’t said what could be done to stop me aloud, but Ash had known what Rhain referred to.