I purse my lips, fury lancing through me. There aren’t many in the castle that know of Verity’s recent change in behavior. But I won’t tolerate a spy in the midst, or a gossip. “I don’t know what you mean,” I say stiffly. “Verity comes from the mortal realm; she knows nothing of magic and witches and Fae. She’s simply curios.”
“You know what they say about curiosity,” Moritz murmurs.
“Yes,” I say softly, my eyes flashing angrily. “I know what they say.”
Chapter 18
Cleo
This mortal body is strange, I think as I study her pale, thin arms. Sadal is gone, having ensured that the spell went smoothly, he disappeared soon after. I almost felt sorry for the mortal when I saw her staring at Sadal, hoping he had answers for her. I clench my hand into a fist and then stretch out my fingers, testing this new body. It’s weak, and I don’t sense much magic in it either. I scowl, it will be difficult to cast spells in her body while maintaining my own enchantment. I’ll have to be careful.
I stride through her room, towards the balcony where the precious Bloodbane text was abandoned. My reflection in the mirror catches my eye and I pause to study myself. To study her. Verity’s eyes are the same pale blue that Maaz and I share. Her hair is a dusty brown shade and pulled into a loose braid. Her ivory skin is pale, a sickly pale with little color in her cheeks. I wonder if her coloring was always this way, or if it has something to do with her relationship with Sadal.
I pity her for falling so easily to his guiling ways. But Sadal has that effect on most people he meets. He had that effect on me once. Verity’s eyes grow dark as I think of my early years with the Bloodbane. So many nights spent waiting for Sadal, craving him. I grew out of my fascination for him quickly in comparison to most. For that I’m grateful.
I take one last glance at this new body in the mirror before moving to the balcony. I collect the text and tuck it away in a secret place. When I accomplish my goals here, I will take the text back with me to the keep. Under Maaz’s rule, we’ve lost many records and created even less.
I glance out the window and see a shadow streaking across the orange-hued sky. The sun is setting, and I spot the beastly form Maaz cursed Altair to wear in the sky. I smile as he draws closer, admiring his magnificent wings. It wasn’t much of a curse, in my opinion. She made him stronger, fiercer, and angrier. She made an enemy.
I turn away from the balcony as Altair disappears over the castle turrets. I smile to myself; I’m looking forward to this next bit. I hope that Sadal is keeping his demonic horde from the march long enough for me to make my move against Altair. My plan is a delicate one, but in the end, it will be much more successful. If Maaz had any brains at all, she would have thought of this years ago. I sigh, shaking my head. If I had any guts at all, I would have suggested it long ago and saved the Bloodbane from hundreds of years of suffering.
The door opens, and a willowy Fae woman slips through the door. Her bright, emerald eyes rake over me with disdain and I smile, recognizing her gaze. She furrows her brows, mouth twisted into a frown. I’m not surprised that the Fae woman detests the mortal so much, now it all makes sense. The woman’s hand wraps around the hilt of her sword as she closes the door behind her. I look at her expectantly, eyes narrowed.
“Altair has returned, he wants to see you,” the Fae woman says stiffly.
I toss my braid over my shoulder and cross my arms. “Where is he?”
“In his rooms,” she says. I don’t miss the way her shoulders straighten and her jaw clenches.
I flash her a smile, baring my teeth at her. “It’s good to see you again.”
Her eyes narrow. “What?”
“It’s been a while since we last spoke,” I say. “I thought you might even keep in touch. After all, we made a great team.”
Her lips press tightly together as her eyes widen imperceptibly. “You.”
“Me.” I grin. “All the information you fed to us when the mortal was brought into your realm was ever so helpful. Too bad it didn’t work out for either of us.”
“What are you doing here?” She hisses, drawing her sword. “Where is Verity?”
“As if you care,” I scoff. I turn away, swaying towards the balcony. “I’m here on business. Business that could have once benefited you.” I eye her over my narrow shoulders. “Now, I’m going to take away the one thing you love.”
With a sharp war cry, the woman launches herself towards me. Her blade is poised above her, ready to swing down and rend my head from my shoulders. I fling my hand towards her, picturing my intentions. The woman’s body flies towards the wall, crashing loudly into a bookshelf. Her head strikes the lip of one of the shelves, blood spurting from her skull. She sags to the ground, arms draped over the mountains of fallen books. Her sword clatters to the ground beside her and I kick it away under the four-poster bed with a grin.
Exhaustion tugs at my bones and muscles. The exertion of so much magic in this weak body is too much. Another spell like that, and I could lose control of Verity’s physical form. Then I would have nothing. I pause, leaning against the bed to catch my breath for a moment. But I don’t have any time to waste. If Altair is kept waiting long, he might seek me out himself.
I open the wardrobe and draw out
