"That means it is something that will make me mad."
"Yes. It will, so promise first."
"No."
Liam frowned. "You are supposed to reassure me."
"You attempted to break into Felix's palace with a screwdriver. I am no longer making uninformed promises."
Liam glanced toward the sealed doors.
He was beginning to regret opening his mouth.
Unfortunately, Arik had noticed the hesitation.
His free hand rose to Liam's jaw, turning his face back with deceptive gentleness. The gold in his eyes remained bright enough to make the nearby ether lines tremble.
"Tell me."
"I may have brought something through the Gate."
Arik became completely still.
The hand at Liam's waist tightened.
"What?"
"I did not bring it deliberately."
"That clarification has not helped."
"When Cain disintegrated, most of his ether fed the Gate." Liam paused. "Not all of it."
Arik's expression emptied.
It was considerably more frightening than anger.
