“Would you like to confess and perhaps lighten the sentence you will face?” Peri asked the pixie king. “Or should we simply ask the djinn historian to confirm what we”—she motioned to Lilly beside her—“already know.” Lilly knew Peri hadn’t forgotten that Thadrick probably didn’t know crap at the moment, but the pixie king hopefully wasn’t aware of this. It would work in their favor if he believed Thadrick could confirm the accusations.
“Whatever he says will be a lie,” Lysander said. He tried to take an additional step away from Ainsel, but Lilly sent out another bolt of lightning, stopping him in his tracks.
“Ainsel?” Peri sounded very bored. “You’re already in enough trouble as it is.”
The pixie king sighed. “I really do despise you.” Hate filled his eyes.
“I’m sad,” Peri said dryly. “Really. I care so deeply what you think of me. I’ll need counseling after this, I’m sure. I’m sorry to see our friendship end, but seeing as how I do not endeavor to befriend those who are murdering, lying cowards, I just don’t think we can mend this relationship.” The high fae paused, and her lips turned up into a sinister smile. “Your confession, now.”
Wow! Note to self: do not get on Peri’s bad side.
“Lysander asked if I would help him overthrow the warlock queen,” Ainsel said. His voice held no inflection, as if what he was saying meant nothing at all. “I agreed. In return, he promised the warlocks would stand with the Order when the time came.”
Suddenly, the warlock warriors pulled their swords in one fluid motion, sending a harmonious ring throughout the forest. Gerick held up his hand in a fist, and the warriors stilled, blades at the ready.
“You cannot let him live,” Cypher’s voice came from beside her, though his physical form was still not visible. “And you must be the one to kill him. Provoke him to attack you.”
Lilly narrowed her eyes on the clan leader, who was trying hard to look outraged at the pixie king’s accusations. “So this is the legacy you would leave if you were king?” she asked him.
Lysander’s head whipped around to her. She watched as his hands lit up bright green with power. She was proud to find she wasn’t afraid. “I offer my people strength. You offer them more bloodshed, and at what cost? To protect humans who would see us dead the minute they find out what we are?”
“You cannot predict the future,” Lilly said, letting her hands fill with her own power. Bolts of electricity ran through them and danced in her palms. “You have no idea how the humans would react if we ever revealed ourselves to them. Regardless, you cannot decide their fate based on what you think might happen. You would see them bow at your feet or be slaughtered like cattle. That does not make you powerful, Lysander. It makes you a tyrant. Tyrant’s care nothing for those they lead. They only care for power and gaining more of it.”
“YOU KNOW NOTHING OF WHAT I CARE FOR,” he bellowed at her, spittle flying from his lips. “These are my people! Mine! Not yours!” He moved forward and she let him, holding out her hand to Gerick to let him know not to act. “Cypher took you as his queen because he was lonely. He was weak. You were never worthy to rule at his side, and you sure as hell aren’t worthy to rule without him.”
“I guess there’s only one way to find out,” Lilly said, unable to stop the smile that spread across her face. Jen would have said it was her “bring it on” smile. And it was.
Lysander returned her smile with one of his own. It was so evil the look turned Lilly’s stomach. There was no way in hell she would let this man be the leader of the warlock people.
“Watch his left foot,” Cypher’s voice came again. “It will shift slightly just before he attacks.”
Lilly glanced down and sure enough, the heel of his left foot moved a fraction to the right as his hand lifted and a bolt of power flew at her. She raised her hand and drew up a shield, blocking the green ball of light. She did not know what would happen if Lysander’s charge actually hit her, and she had no desire to find out.
Lysander didn’t give her time to watch for his foot to move again. He sent a barrage of balls of fire, one after another. It reminded her of Peri’s assault of snowballs, only the projectiles flying at her now wouldn’t just leave her sopping wet.
One after the other, Lilly blocked, but she knew she couldn’t stay on the defensive if she wanted to win. She had to attack, but he wasn’t giving her an opening. “Peri, can I move yet?”
“Working on it, queenie. A little patience would be nice,” the high fae said as she moved her hands in a weaving motion.
“Forgive me if I’m trying to not get my ass killed over here,” Lilly bit out. She shifted her hands. Lightning flowed from them, tracking Lysander’s movements as he shifted right and then left. She realized he was creeping closer to her. “Dammit, Peri. Hurry the hell up.”
“I’m trying, bloody hell. The holes are not in the ground. They are portals that will drop your ass into the In Between the second you step into one of them,” Peri explained.
“While I appreciate the fact that you want to inform me of what my possible demise could be,” Lilly said, increasing power, attempting to push Lysander back, “I don’t really give a damn. I need to move. He’s getting closer.”
“Alllllmmmmoooosst,” Peri drew the word out and then finally said, “there. Done. Go.”
Lilly didn’t hesitate. She jumped down the steps, landing less than six feet from Lysander. Suddenly one of his hands held a sword. It glowed a deep blue. Lilly didn’t
