“Is that what you wanted?” I ask softly, my eyes raking over what’s left of the bodies.
“No.” He shakes his head. “I have big plans for you. You must be careful not to disappoint me.”
I eye the demons at his back, knowing that Sadal is deadlier than all of them combined. Maaz shoves her way through the scaled creatures to stand at his side. She smirks at me, blood splattered on the silk dress she wears beneath her cloak. I see blood stains on her hands, and I know she joined the fray.
I swallow my fury as the two of them tower over me. “I have someone I want you to meet,” Sadal says.
A hulking demon stomps from the balcony towards us. He walks on two legs, his overly-long arms scraping the bloodied stones. His fangs are like tusks, extending over his lips. He turns his yellow eyes on me. “Zox,” the creature growls.
“This is Zox,” Sadal says pleasantly. “He leads the horde.”
“Zox,” the creature confirms.
Maaz looks delighted, staring up at the mammoth demon with bright eyes. “Impressive.”
“Zox will take the horde across the borders and into the villages and cities,” Sadal explains. “He and the horde will leave the land soaking in Fae blood.”
Maaz shivers, a smile tugging at her lips. “I can’t wait.”
“Altair will no doubt surrender,” I say, my voice empty of feeling.
“He might, but that won’t stop the horde,” Sadal chuckles.
My stomach twists. I had expected as much. Zox roars, sending his demons loping out of the Holy Rite and down the keep walls. Sadal and Maaz wander away, whispering back and forth. I stare at the Holy Rite. The sacred room is littered with the bodies of my sisters, blood congealing between the stones. I wonder if soon the whole world will look this way.
Chapter 12
Verity
Candlelight flickers in Altair’s private dining chambers. It’s a familiar scenario; a quiet, unpleasant dinner with Altair. Just like the old days. He eyes me from across the table. His beard is growing back, just a soft shadow against his cheeks and strong jaw. I study him with empty eyes. Once, my heart would have fluttered seeing how handsome he is, but I have something else on my mind now.
The book Dain gave me is hidden in my room. I stuffed it behind one of the bookcases so none of the Fae will find it. I’ve read almost half of it now, reading almost constantly for two days. Normally, with a book of that size, I would be finished with it. But, somehow, even when I read for hours, I find myself staring at the same page.
“Is dinner to your liking?” Altair asks, clearing his throat.
I poke my knife against the succulent steak. “Stooping to small talk, Altair? That isn’t like you.”
He purses his lips, his eyes glinting with amusement. “There she is. I was wondering where Verity was hiding inside that beautiful body.”
“What?” I narrow my eyes.
Altair leans forward, pushing his dinner aside. “I don’t know what’s on your mind lately, Verity, but it’s becoming very clear that you are not yourself. I find tiny glimpses of you, as I did just now. But you’ve hidden yourself away. Why?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say. I feel a flush of heat creep to my cheeks and my stomach coils tightly. A few weeks ago, I might have been flattered that Altair is so keenly watching me, but now, it only makes me irate.
“What are you doing, Verity? Why are you so intent on pulling away from me?” He continues. His eyes, usually serious while he works or filled with mirth when he teases me, are dark and gloomy.
“Has it ever occurred to you that I am not pulling away? But that you are forcing this distance?” I snap. If he had simply let me be who I am, perhaps we wouldn’t be in this mess.
“I haven’t pushed you away, I’m trying to draw you in.” He gestures, clenching his fists and tugging them to his chest.
I grit my teeth. “You don’t understand.”
“Help me understand,” he whispers.
My thoughts flash back to the book hidden in my room. I feel a chill settle over my heart and I calm instantly. I drop my cutlery and push away from the table. I don’t want to be here. I want to study the Bloodbane book. Altair rises as I do and is around the table in a flash. His face hovers inches from mine, his eyes searching my face.
“What?” I ask blandly.
“Verity,” he murmurs. “Please, help me.”
“I can’t,” I say simply. “I can’t help you anymore. I’ve done enough.”
I pull away from him, hardly noticing that his fingers brush against my arm pleadingly. Navi is in front of the door, staring at me coldly. She blocks my path, and I loose a breath through my nose. “The King hasn’t dismissed you,” she says coolly.
“He’s not my king.” I cock a brow. “I have no king.”
“As long as you reside in this realm, he is your king,” Navi says. Her hand strays to her sword.
“Let her go, Navi,” Altair says from behind me.
“Altair,” Navi say, her brows furrowed with confusion.
“Let her go.” Altair’s voice is laced with defeat.
“Yes, little dog, let me go,” I quip, a smile tugging at my lips.
Navi’s lips twist into a scowl and she moves aside swiftly. I toss her a cold smile before sweeping through the door. I hear her hiss in response, but the door is closing already. When the door has clicked shut, I walk swiftly towards my room. The book is calling my name, my blood singing in response.
I close the door to my room and rush to the bookcase. Grunting, I manage to slip the book from its recess. Its warm in my hands, as if its been waiting for me. My heart is beating quickly as I flip it open. I run my fingertips over the soft page, trailing the harshly written words. I have a lot
