Karuchi Vohra watched Perturabo approach, the flesh on his face drawn tight.
Skull-Crusher moved first, and dazzling arcs of electricity blasted the purple-veined skin into a layer of oily paper.
"We did not deceive you." Fulgrim's pale fingers gripped Perturabo's arm.
"Did you really need to ask me?" A halo rose above Perturabo's head as blood and powdered corpses were drawn toward the ionized energy at his cranial ports.
"If the Aeldari legend he spoke of was true, Angel Exterminatus was sealed by Asuryan within an airtight prison of time and space."
"Vohra had never set foot there before, yet he described every detail of the forbidden weapon. That was impossible."
"And the emotions hidden beneath your grandiose speech—do you need me to list them one by one?"
Fulgrim's disguise cracked. "I have my doubts about that, but even if he had not, did it truly matter?"
"I embellished certain parts of the Aeldari legend, but I knew that only you could unravel the labyrinth of Asuryan's seal."
Perturabo's ice-blue eyes flickered like cold steel burning in ice.
Without Nimrod's warning, he might have been interested in the secret hidden beneath Fulgrim's flawed lies. But now, he only wanted to punish his arrogant brother.
Skull-Crusher carved a perfect arc of death, its spike tearing through the ornate purple armor.
Fulgrim slid back and drew his blade.
"My beloved brother, there is one thing I did not lie to you about."
"Angel Exterminatus truly exists. I am Angel Exterminatus."
He stared at the skull-shaped cloak clasp on Perturabo's chest.
The golden gem pulsed with his heartbeat, as though it possessed life.
"Your gift for labyrinths was not the only reason you had to be chosen."
"Why did it have to be me?" Perturabo sensed his creations rapidly closing in beneath his