To Kill a Shadow (Mistlands, #1)

by Katherine Quinn

“I already miss my bed.” Liam groaned. “You’re still in bed.”

Ki, the nickname Liam had gifted me with when he was little and couldn’t say my full name, suited me like a fine leather coat, whereas Kiara sounded too…well, not me. Feminine and dainty. A girl with blooms woven into her hair and lips that fashioned pretty words. I was neither dainty nor well-spoken. Not that I ever wished to be.

“Gods, why must people insist upon waking at such a depraved hour?” Liam tugged the linens tighter, swaddled like a newborn babe.

“I know what today will bring. There’s no need to avoid it.” I was planning on avoiding it for as long as humanly possible. “I am prepared to leave. I’ve already said my goodbyes.” To his friends. Our neighbors. His soon-to-be-former life.

The Hand of Death Year 49 of the curse

My blade pierced my brother’s heart, cutting off his incessant screams.

Do not fear the dark It was where we were born And it is where we all shall die

While Father would never admit it, I’d often see the glimmer of disappointment beneath his carefully constructed smile.

And now I had to dig a hole for a boy who would never see the sun we fought to restore.