Kane leans toward me still smiling. "Can you believe that? People think I'm stupid. They think I don't see what's going on. That Nephilim, he made a very bad choice today, and he will pay for it with his life. Hopefully that sends a message to the rest of them. Hopefully that sends a message to everyone."
Kane's voice grows louder until the entire court goes silent, looking over at him. He turns his focus from me to the crowd and puts his hands up. "Let this all be a lesson to every one of you. If you try to trick me, there will be no trial, there will be no discussion, you will forfeit your life. Whether you're a Nephilim, a vampire, or any of the other creatures of the Underworld, my brother, my mother, it doesn't matter. If you try to trick me, it will be the last time you attempt something like that. Things are changing here in the Underworld, I expect that you all will prepare for this, because let me tell you right now, those that aren't prepared… you will regret the choice."
He put his arms down and turns toward me, giving me a big smile. He bends his elbow and offers me his arm. "Shall we? I've had enough of this today."
I can't tell whether the speech is targeted at me or not, but I do know that if it's not it's still a warning to me. He has no emotional attachment to anyone, not the imposter inside of him. I need him to trust me. I have a new motivation knowing Kane is deep down in there, but in order to get him out in time, I'm going to need to make a drastic move. I'm going to need Kane to believe that there is no one more loyal to him than me.
Chapter 19
Briar
"What is so important that you need to see me right now in the middle of the night?" Kane asks me, looking at me suspiciously.
I don't want to do this. I'm a mortal, and I'm not mentally structured to be someone who is capable of vicious and conniving acts. No matter what my feelings toward Willem are, I would never put his life in danger unless it's absolutely necessary. This is the only time that I think I've ever found putting someone else's safety to the wayside is vital in order to serve the greater good. In reality, Willem has brought it on himself. He has asked me to martyr myself at every turn, but if I can save Kane, and not die, Willem will need to be the martyr himself.
I place my hands gently in my lap and do the best I can to convince imposter Kane that I'm doing this for him. "I'm almost afraid to tell you. I don't want you to be angry at me."
He sits forward, forcing a look of caring on his face, even though I know he doesn't in the least, for me or anyone else for that matter. "Briar, you are to be my bride. If you can't trust me to dig through a situation and see who is really at fault, then we have work to do."
I swallow hard. "Earlier today, I overheard a conversation. Willem is plotting against you. He is planning your death so that he can take your throne. But that isn't all."
I stand up from the chair and begin to pace. I ring my hands as if I'm extraordinarily nervous. In some ways I am, it's not all an act, but everyone in the Underworld believes that I am nothing but an innocent mortal and I am using that to my advantage. "I also heard afterward that the Nephilim that came to you today was sent by Willem. Apparently, the Nephilim was supposed to take you down. Luckily, you're smarter than that and you saved yourself."
As soon as the rest of the words trickle off my tongue, I immediately feel terrible. I'm disgusted at myself for what I've done, but the clock has run out, and I'm working on borrowed time. There needs to be a drastic move, and the imposter Kane will never fully trust Willem, but I'm pretty sure I can get him to trust me.
Desperation and love can make you do crazy things. On one hand, I need Kane to trust me, and on the other hand, if I had left Willem in the situation with him unchecked, he would surely have killed Kane. Despite his promise to help me, I don't trust him for a second. In fact, I'm slightly in shock that it hasn't happened already. Willem will be angry with me, and most likely he will come after me, but right now it's more important for me to save Kane, even if in the end it's at my own expense.
Kane takes a deep breath and stands up, reaching down and taking my hands. He pulls me to my feet and kisses the back of each of my hands. I swallow back my disgust, remembering that those lips still belong to my beloved trapped inside. "Thank you for that Briar, I know it took a lot of courage. I also know that Willem is your friend."
It takes a lot for me to hold back a laugh at that statement. Just another reason that I know for sure
