For always being here.
It is both my duty and my desire.
His words warmed me more than I could ever say. He was finally admitting to emotions, even if it was desire rather than love. But once upon a time he would have denied even that, even if his behavior suggested otherwise.
I scanned our surroundings again, knowing the Raziq were drawing closer but still unable to spot them. After a few seconds, an oddly dark surge of electricity ran across my skin. It made the little hairs at the back of my neck stand on end and my soul shiver away in fear.
They'd come within sensory distance. Whether that meant they were also within range of the swords I had no idea.
Unfortunately, no. The edge in Azriel's mind voice was deeper, the frustration stronger.
It's really not surprising given they'd sense your presence. The Raziq might be greater in numbers, but they weren't fools. And they certainly had no desire to risk their lives – as evidenced by their continuing use of the Ania to do their dirty work. Not that either that fact or Azriel's presence in any way lessened my fear of them. I licked my lips and gripped Amaya a little tighter. "Show yourself, Malin."
My voice sounded oddly small in the damp, stale confines of the cavern.
"Malin is not here." The disembodied voice was male, and while it held no threat, it nevertheless sent a chill down my spine. This was the Raziq I'd spoken to the first time I'd been captured – the Raziq who'd invaded my brain and made it seem like every part of me was being torn apart. A Raziq I thought I'd killed. Obviously, I was wrong.
Not. Sound same, Amaya said. Tasted sweet. Want more.
And I'd love to give you more. Trouble was, I doubted the Raziq would so foolishly expose themselves like that again.
"And even if she were," the disembodied voice continued, "she would not be foolish enough to show herself with the Mijai present. His desire for revenge is so fierce it stains the fields."
I snorted. "The only thing staining the fields is you lot. You're the ones who made the goddamn keys and created this mess we all find ourselves in."
"We do not need to justify our action to the likes of you —"
"No," I cut in fiercely, "but you sure as hell have to depend on my help. And you know what? It's about time you started remembering that. Because without me, there is no way on earth you're going to get your greedy little mitts on those keys again."