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Benedict finallyup the shirtsleeves of his perfectly crisp button-down He frantically scanned his tattooed ar for the lie

I shrugged as his eyes met mine I’d certainly earned his distrust after all the times I’d lied on purpose tomy head “I won’t lie today”

His sighed, his eyes never leaving mine

“Hawke,” Alek said, his powerful voice resonating throughout the room “Stand down,” he ordered, and Hawke obeyed, albeit reluctantly

I sighed, layingas I leaned against it “We were dancing,” I said,Avianna laughing and carefree “It was like any other night we’ve been out,” I continued “We weren’t even drinking, just dancing and joking around” I glanced to Alek “Soed “That’s so I can relate to, and so I never hesitated when she wanted to escape” Guilt gnawed at nized the two vampires, but I’d never seen them before She didn’t look concerned, so I wasn’t But then I heard her say no, and I stepped between them and her”

I clenchedlike ice in ht,” I seethed “And then they…they…” My breath ca ry tear rolled down , and I couldn’t see her, couldn’t stop throwing up long enough to draw breath, let alone save her” I sank back inat him “I failed her”

Hawke gruible, and I flashed him a look most men would shit their pants over He merely dismissed me and went to plot in the corner with his knives

Benedict shifted again, exa the truth,” he said “For once,” he added, and I rolled my eyes

That was fine I’d dug that grave long before tonight

“It’s not your fault,” Alek finally said, and Lyric, his queen, gently laid her hand over his shoulder “Saint and Sa theainst them”

I resisted the urge to roll ance, not that it wasn’t earned But these Assassins didn’t have a clue how deep ed in mine when I was born—and they never would because that was a card I kept close to ? I would’ve obliterated them