60. Killian
KILLIAN
A heavy weight pressed against his chest, stealing the air from his lungs. Killian lay in bed with his hands behind his head, an overwhelming stir of sadness sitting in the pit of his heart. Today felt wrong, and he had no clue as to why.
Is it a lingering effect of what Esemeray made me see? His lips thinned.
He supposed he also felt guilty for not telling Riggs about it either.
He needed to.
Pounding sounded on his door.
Killian jolted; angling his head, brows bunched. He leapt off the bed, unlocking the top latch and opening the door just an inch.
Riggs.
Riggs' face was blanched and sweaty and his breathing was uneven.
“What’s going on?” Killian asked.
Riggs shouldered into the room without a word, locking the door behind him. He yanked at his hair. “Don’t be mad…”
His stomach sank. “What did you do?”
Riggs' eyes burned with fear. “Kohen knows.”
“Kohen knows what?” Killian murmured, his hands tightening into fists. “What sort of shit did you pull this time?”
Riggs' breathing faltered. “I really need you right now.”
Killian slammed his eyes closed, taking a breather.
Riggs was right.
He needed to be the brother Riggs needed. For the last decade Killian had lived in his head, obsessed with finding his wife’s killer. The reason Riggs' upbringing was so chaotic was due to Killian’s depression. All the long nights at the bars, getting into fights and making terrible decisions.
His father was right—he had dragged his brother down with him. Even hired him to do bounties that got him into the mess he was in today. Guilt swallowed Killian whole, hollowing out his heart.
He owed him this.
Killian uncurled his hands and opened his eyes. “Tell me what’s going on?”
Riggs' throat worked. “Kohen made their necklaces.”
“Necklaces? What are you talking about?” Killian questioned, pulling on his ear lobe.
Riggs explained with a gulp, “The scar on Esemeray’s chest was caused by a magical necklace that suppressed her powers.
” He crossed his arms over his chest. “And I just have to add, how odd it is that a kingdom that forbids magic hired someone with magic to create jewelry for the princesses? Let alone the king not knowing his own daughters possessed any?” Riggs wiped the sweat rolling off his brow. “Anyway, not the point…the point is?—”
“No, you’re right. It doesn’t make any sense.” How did the twins get powers in the first place? Unless the queen was indeed hiding something and she was a magical being. He gripped Riggs' shoulder. “I need to tell you something.”
Riggs' face fell. “You knew?”
“Knew what?”
“Nothing.” Riggs pressed, “Hurry up and tell me what you were going to say.”
Killian swallowed, wiping his slick palms across his pants. “Yesterday in the desert when I fell off River… I… Esemeray?—”
“What the fuck, Killian?!”
“You didn’t even let me finish!”
Riggs flushed, his cheeks blotching red. “What the fuck is going on?”
“Calm down.” Killian braced for what he was about to say, blowing out a fast breath. “Esemeray made me see a flashback of Layalara. Shifting isn’t her only power.”
Riggs swore low, his gaze dropping to the carpet.
A puzzled look took over Riggs' features. “I wish I’d known that.” He shook his head.
“I’m not upset, though we will talk about that later.
We need to leave immediately.” His eyes fluttered shut as he squeezed the bridge of his nose.
“And we need to find a way to break Esemeray out of the temple.”
Killian’s chest tightened. “Riggs, what the fuck?” His brow rose to his hairline. “Wait a minute, how did you know Kohen made those necklaces?”
“Kohen told me. He knows. He knows Esemeray is the princess, and…he has already alerted Dagon.”
Stunned into silence, the color from Killian’s face drained.
“I know.” His voice was rough. “I told you not to be mad.”
“We have time before Dagon gets here.” At least three days. Killian moved quickly, crouching to collect his belongings sprinkled throughout the floor. Gloves. Pouch of Goolies. Knife. Letter from Brodie.
He hadn’t had a chance to open the letter yet, figuring his father or Zander must have mentioned they were stopping at Kohen’s. Brodie’s most likely checking in. Nothing too serious.
“How could I have been so careless?” Riggs said under his breath, dragging a hand across his face.
Killian wanted to agree, but he was just as guilty. He was the one who told Riggs not to worry about her shifting.
“Look, we’re going to get out of this.” Killian slung his pack over his shoulder, jerking his chin toward the door. “What’s your plan?”
Riggs lunged for the doorknob. “Get her and get the fuck out of here.”
Killian slammed his palm on Riggs' chest. “Are you out of your mind? Have I taught you nothing?” He scoffed. “You know better.”
Riggs searched his eyes, breathing heavily. “I-I can’t lose her.”
Killian paced. “Tell me your plan.” He needed to make sure the plan would work—needed to know if Riggs had a plan b if anything went sideways.
“I just need to get her. I don’t care how,” Riggs heaved, his brows dipping.
Killian halted, facing him. “Your responses are telling me that you have no plan set in place. You must always have a plan.”
“I have one,” Riggs breathed.
A pang of empathy hit him deep in the chest, Killian’s lips forming a flat line. “Your plan better be good.”