“Whatever Darkyn is planning, it has to do with Rhyn. He let us go. There were no guards when Rhyn came for me and no demons to stop us,” Kiki mused.
“Maybe he’s gunning for Death’s seat and using Rhyn to get to her.”
“Andre always said Death was more dangerous than the Dark One, because he understood what the Dark One wanted.”
“Andre never factored Darkyn into the equation,” Kris said. “Still, Rhyn can’t kill Death. I’m not sure what good Rhyn is to Darkyn. Maybe Rhyn going on this crazy journey keeps him out of Darkyn’s hair.”
“Darkyn let us go. I’m convinced of that,” Kiki replied. “There’s no other reason why, unless Rhyn is doing what Darkyn wants him to. If Andre was still alive …”
“He’s not!” Kris snapped. “As much as my brothers wish I were him, I am not. You just have to deal with it.”
“Sorry, Kris. Andre had a way with people, even Rhyn. Without him or Katie, we can’t fix whatever it is Rhyn is going to do.”
“We’re assuming he will do something,” Kris said. “What if this business with Katie changed him? What if he understands the greater good now?”
“Rhyn does understand, but he can’t control what he is. Even if he wanted to do good, he’d fail. He’s too weak to control his impulses, Kris.”
“Do you believe that?” Kris returned. He rose and paced. He flexed his injured arm and recalled how he’d be dead at the hands of a traitor if Rhyn hadn’t saved him. There had been no hesitation, no second guessing when Rhyn snapped Jade’s neck.
Over and over, Kris had tried to convince himself he’d do the same for his half-brother. Over and over, he finally admitted he wouldn’t. He’d let Rhyn die, just as he sent Rhyn on what he thought was a suicide mission expelling demons from the castle. He’d talked it over with Hannah, and they agreed it was the only option they had.
Yet it hadn’t sat well with him, despite what he knew about Rhyn.
“I don’t know. He pulled the Council together after we split. It wasn’t for us, I’m certain, but for Katie. I don’t think he has a reason to try anymore,” Kiki said at last.