“Lucius and the others are on that exit. They’ll capture him.”
I manage to drop the shield, already mourning its loss, and Tiernon takes my hand, turning to the others. “You didn’t see that shield.” His tone doesn’t leave any room for argument, and they both nod. “Let’s go.”
Neris steps close. “Don’t ever let anyone see you use that power. It will cost you your life.”
Lucius, Deitra, and Orna stand next to the exit, all of them expressionless. Orna takes one look at my hand clasped in Tiernon’s and sneers. “Glad you had time to flirt while the rest of us were trying to stay alive.”
I start to wriggle my fingers free. Tiernon squeezes once and releases my hand, sending Orna an impatient look. “Where is the vampire?”
“He got past us,” Lucius growls, shaking his head as if he still can’t believe it. “I don’t know how, but—”
“Excuses,” the emperor hisses. A sense of foreboding washes over me, as he stalks toward us, Drugov Nistor on one side, Rorrik on the other. A group of Praesidium guards surround them, hands on their weapons. More guards stand near the exit, blocking any who might attempt to use it.
Rorrik’s eyes meet mine.“Already working with the imperius? You’re about to see what that truly means.”
A ball of dread expands beneath my ribs, as Rorrik turns his attention to Tiernon.
Tiernon cuts his eyes to Micah, who steps in front of me, until I’m neatly hidden within the group of imperiums.
“Did you miss the part where I demanded discretion?” the emperor asks, and I peer around Micah’s shoulder.
Tiernon shakes his head. “There were extenuating circumstances.”
“And yet you still don’t have him.” The emperor studies Tiernon as if considering how much his son’s death will truly impact him. My entire body begins to tremble.
“That was my fault, Dominus,” Lucius says. “He got past me.”
“Silence,” Tiernon orders, his eyes wild.
But it’s too late. The emperor pins Tiernon with a frigid look. “Take care of this.”
“Dominus …” The word is a low rasp, and horror flickers in Tiernon’s eyes. “Please. I beg of you to show mercy.”
The emperor gives a single slice of his head, pointing at Lucius.
A muscle twitches in Tiernon’s cheek, and his lips thin. The emperor’s eyes light with cold fury.
“Allow me, Father,” Rorrik purrs. “You know I enjoy such things.”
Lucius meets Rorrik’s eyes, and I know they’re having a private conversation. Lucius gives Rorrik a grim nod.
“No.” The word is out of my mouth before I can stop it. It’s little more than a croak of protest, but Rorrik sends a single burning glance my way, and my throat clamps shut.
Tiernon stiffens. Micah takes a step closer to me.
I stare Rorrik in the eyes.“No. No, no, no.Please.Please, don’t do it.”
His mouth goes rigid.“Look away, Arvelle.”
It’s the first time Rorrik has said my name, and it’s enough to make me lose my grip on the mindpath between us. A heavy wall appears in my mind.
No, it’s notmymind. It’s Rorrik’s. He’s blocked me out.
I claw at it, slamming into it again and again.
On my left, Tiernon trembles with suppressed rage.
Rorrik gives his brother a look I can’t decipher, but it reminds me of the look he gave me the day after I killed Tiberius Cotta.“You’re going to have to fight harder than this if you’re going to survive here.”
