"That's what they said they've done. And they definitely pulled me apart."
"The bruises are evidence enough of that." He leaned forward and placed a flat hand against my chest. It wasn't a sexual touch by any means, but my pulse still reacted to the warm press of his fingers. After a moment, he swore and sat back. "The dark energy of the tracer definitely beats within you."
I wasn't surprised, but my stomach still sank. I guess a tiny, foolish part of me had hoped the Raziq had been lying. Still, I couldn't help asking, "How can you be so sure?"
"Because I am not unfamiliar with such things. I've seen their use before."
"Where?"
"It was a long time ago, and doesn't matter now."
In other words, mind your own business. He and Azriel were more alike than they thought. "They said it cannot be removed."
His expression was grim. "It can't. Not unless you die."
Having Lucian confirm that particular fact made me feel sick. I put the knife and fork down and pushed the dinner plate away. "Which means the minute my father appears, they'll grab us both."
"Unfortunately, yes." He thrust to his feet and began to pace, every movement reeking of frustration. "Which does not mean it cannot be stopped."
"The only way it can be stopped," Azriel said, appearing in the room in a sudden rush of heat and anger, "is via the use of dark magic. And that is never a wise choice."
Lucian swung around, his expression like thunder. The dislike that emanated off the pair of them made me feel like I was a red cape between two bulls.
"Lots of unwise choices have been made over the course of the last few weeks," Lucian spat out. "But we do what we must to reach the endgame, don't we, reaper?"
"Dark magic may be a path you choose to walk, Aedh, but it is not ours."
Lucian snorted and glanced at me. "If you believe he's not willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants—and remember, what he wants is the same as what the Raziq want—then you are a fool."