The tower rumbled and groaned, swaying around us, and one of Taraghlan’s guards tensed, reaching for a weapon. I glanced at him, and he froze. Prey.
“Leave,” I said.
The guards glanced uncertainly at their king. Taraghlan studied my expression, then angled his head, his eyes narrowing. “Go,” he said.
The guards turned to file toward the elevator. One of them leaned closer to mutter something in the king’s ear and he shook his head, gesturing for him to leave and meeting my eyes.
“If you attempt to kill me here, it will mean war,” Taraghlan said. The guard finally left the room, sending me a warning glance that almost got him killed.
I smiled. “Do you think I have any hesitations about such a thing? Do you imagine I care about warring with you? No, the only reason you are still alive is because I have a use for you.”
“I would like to make it clear that I had no idea what Cellen was planning.”
I didn’t respond to that. Both of us knew that every ruler was responsible for their people and the choices those people made.
“Samael.” Ag spoke quietly behind me. I frowned, coming back to myself. My power had crept out, surrounding the seelie king. His shields were strong, but from the look in his eerie eyes, he knew it was only a matter of time before I broke them.
But if I killed him, I wouldn’t get what I needed.
Focus.
“Meow.”
Lia had nudged open the door and strolled in, tail swaying. She jumped onto the table next to me and pushed her head into my hand in clear demand. I petted her, and both of us eyed the seelie king.
I gave him a grim smile. “This is the problem with having someone swoop in and remove you from the slightest danger for centuries. I could snap your shields with a thought. Whatwillyou do without your little portal maker?”
Taraghlan’s jaw tightened, and I forced myself to pull my power away.
Think of her.
“I know what you seek in your war against Lucifer,” Taraghlan said. “I have ordered one of the pocket realms to be brought to this world. And I will give it to you for your use as my people’s apology to yours for the loss of your bondmate.”
I ignored the last part of his sentence.Thiswas why I needed to keep him alive. Lilith had come close to securing one of the artifacts we needed, but we no longer had time for her to negotiate with her contacts.
Allow him to live until you have what you need.
“How long?”
Taraghlan swallowed. “The owners of the artifact are… unstable. I will keep you updated.”
“Whoare the owners of the artifact?”
His mouth twisted. “The bubaks.”
“The bubaks,” I drawled, coating the words with amusement. Taraghlan’s eyes fired, but he said nothing.
Most people thought the bubaks were a subset of demons. In reality, they were just one of the light faes’ dirty little secrets. Scarecrow-like beasts, which had once broken free of the seelie realm to terrorize Eastern Europe, they hunted in corn fields and kept to secluded parts of the forest, lurking along river banks where people were likely to stop during their journeys.
They liked to eat children, but could also mimic the sound of a crying baby, earning larger meals from the adults who investigated.
“How did the bubaks gain the pocket realm?”
“That is none of your business.”
I tutted. The deal was likely made in an effort to keep the creatures far from any portals. The seelie so enjoyed pretending they were creatures of light.
“I want the realm within two days, or I start killing your people, one by one.”
