Counting Shadows (Duplicity)

slowly grinds his teeth back and forth, and Asair’s smile turns to a grin. “You really don’t know, do you, brother? You really haven’t figured it out?”
    “I’m
not
your brother,” Lor snarls. “Not after what you did to Emryll.”
    Asair waves away his words. “Let’s leave the past alone, shall we? Now is time to focus on the present.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” I demand.
    “It means
you
, little princess,” Asair replies. “You’re part of Lor’s life now. Although I suppose you’re also part of his past, aren’t you? All those lives you’ve spent hunting him…” He makes a tsking noise. “Such a waste, those past lives of yours. Think of what greatness the Angels could have already achieved, if you hadn’t killed him so many times.”
    Lor shoots me a suspicious glance. “What is he talking about, Faye?”
    I swallow hard and look to the ground. I can’t lie to him. “I’m the Unknown, Lor. It’s me. I’m the one from your prophecy.”
    He stumbles away from me, making it only a few steps before collapsing. I glance over to him and instantly regret it. His eyes are filled with confusion, fear, shock. But, most of all, hate.
    “You tricked me, didn’t you?” Lor murmurs.
    “I never meant to trick you! I didn’t figure it out until a few days ago, and I didn’t know for sure until now. If I’d—”
    “Shut up, Faye,” Lor growls. “You
lied
to me. You told me you loved Jay. But you’re the one who killed him, aren’t you?”
    “No! I loved him, Lor. I did, I
swear
. I never would have hurt him.”
    “This is a cute little argument,” Asair says in a bored tone, “but I’m really not in the mood for it. Let’s move on, shall we?”
    Lor glares at me, and I look down in shame. Neither of us respond to Asair.
    “Now, let me tell you how this little game is going to work,” Asair says, his tone brightening. He points to Lor. “You’re going to get a chance to kill her. It’ll end the prophecy and avenge our brother’s death.”
    “I didn’t kill Ashe,” I growl.
    Asair points to me, but doesn’t acknowledge my words. “And you,” he says, “you’re going to get a chance to kill my little brother here. If you kill him, the prophecy still ends, at least for awhile. Your role will be complete, and I won’t have to worry about Lor interfering with the invasion.”
    Asair smiles. “You see, I win either way. It’s one of you who will lose.”
    “What if neither of us want to kill each other?” I whisper. I try to ignore Lor’s glare and the knowledge that it’s a stupid question.
    “Then I’ll kill you both,” Asair says simply.
    Asair moves to give the dagger to Lor, but I quickly say, “Wait.”
    He raises an eyebrow at me and twirls the dagger between his fingertips. I look down at my own dagger, still clutched in my hand. Black gryphon blood clings to its blade. “Make me a promise,” I say to Asair.
    He laughs. “Angels don’t make promises. You should know that.”
    “Just this once,” I say. “It’s a simple one.”
    Asair rolls his eyes, but gestures for me to continue. “I’ll hear you out.”
    I look him right in the eye. “Promise me that what you say is true. If one of us dies, you’ll let the other one live.”
    His smile grows. “Maybe you’re not as dumb as you seem,” he murmurs. “I have to admit, it’s smart for you to ensure your survival.”
    I glance over at Lor. His hands have fallen open, and he stares at me with a stricken look.
    “Promise me,” I growl at Asair.
    “Very well, fine. I promise.”
    He takes one step forward, as if to give the knife to me. But then he grins and tosses his bloody dagger to Lor’s feet. The metal blade pings as it strikes the stone. “Now is your chance, little brother,” Asair says. “Kill the Unknown, and you’ll survive. Otherwise, she’ll kill you.”
    Lor swallows hard and slowly unclenches his right fist.
    “What are you waiting for?” Asair asks. “She’s already bartering your life. Kill her while you have the chance.”
    My heart pounds frantically as Lor reaches out and takes the bloodied dagger at his feet. His hand shakes as he wraps his fingers at it, and he turns his gaze up to me.
    His glare is so intense, I flinch away. His eyes scream accusations, while his jaw trembles from betrayal. He lifts the knife, preparing to throw it.
    I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
    A sharp clang echoes through the air. Is that what death sounds