She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ve said it once, but I’ll say it again. I misjudged you last year, Dane.”
A knock on the door saved me from deciding how to respond. Headmistress Wake went to answer it.
“Greetings, Headmistress,” Prince Elran’s distinctive voice rang out over the chamber. “I only have a moment, but I wonder if I might speak with your team?”
My spine straightened. The prince was at the door? But his wedding would start at any minute!
“Of course, Prince Elran.” Headmistress Wake stepped to the right, and the prince strode inside, his silver cape billowing behind him, and a white fur stole around his shoulders.
We stood and bowed.
“I heard a rumor that once the discrepancy between the other spy schools’ points is resolved, you will leave Faerie immediately,” Prince Elran said. “I did not want to get caught up in the revelry—fae weddings can last many days—and not thank you properly.”
“But you’ve already thanked us,” I said.
“Yes, but it is not enough. Gian has already confessed that he planned to kill my bride-to-be’s father on this very night. You have saved my family, and for that, your reward should fit the deed.”
“Oh . . .”
The prince was still looking at me, and I felt compelled to answer.
“Thank you.”
He smiled a dazzling white smile that reminded me of the snowy mountaintops outside. “I do hope you’ll accept my gift.”
I hadn’t noticed the small leather-wrapped package in his hand until he extended it to me.
I took it. “Should I open it now?”
“I’d be forever grateful if you did,” the prince replied with an amused grin.
Okay, stop being awkward and entertaining the fae prince, Odie. Just unwrap the damn package.
I did so carefully, not knowing what to expect. And when the items were revealed, I was glad that I’d taken care.
Four sharp-looking daggers glinted up at me. As far as I could tell, they were plain and silver. Nothing like the etched and jeweled ones I’d noticed on the hips of the fae soldiers, or even in the cases at Spellcasters.
“Oh.” I looked up at the prince, who was still regarding me with an amused look. “They’re so . . . pointy. Thank you,” I said somewhat lamely.
Andre appeared at my side and sucked in a breath. “Are those what I think they are?”
The prince grinned. “I’m glad someone recognizes them.” He winked at me, and my cheeks heated. “Yes. These are demon daggers, otherwise known as hell blades. One for each of you.”
“Holy crap!” Andre snapped up a dagger from the pile and began to examine it with such reverence that I couldn’t hold in my next question.
“What do hell blades do?”
The prince lifted a blade from my hand. “They are the only weapon in the universe known to be deadly to every level of demon.” His finger ran over the sharp blade. “The metal used in these blades is incredibly rare, forged from the pits of Hell itself. Each blade is an item of extreme value. A great warrior of the Snowcap Court brought back enough metal to create ten blades over a century ago. Since then, no one else has made the journey.” He extended the blade to me, hilt-first. “I thought it a proper gift for those who apprehended a demon-lover in my castle.”
I took the dagger and was unsurprised when the mark on my ankle burned. Yes, these things held power. And while I wasn’t an ace with a dagger yet, I would do well to learn to use this one.
“Thank you, Prince Elran.”
“Thank you,” the prince performed a shallow bow and gave another brilliant smile before leaving the room.
We left the Snowcap Court quietly. After all, the day should be about Prince Elran and his intended, not the team that discovered a traitor. Plus, according to Spy Game rules, we had to be in our world to call the points for an event. And apparently, since I’d apprehended Gian, the points had been the source of some angst.
To put it bluntly, the vampires werepissed. Scowls marred their beautiful faces as the four teams, and the heads of their respective academies, lined up and strode through the warphole.
