There was no way Saldrea would allow me to take a mate of any sort, let alone Izzy. I was trapped in this life.
The door to the conference room burst open, and the five titans came storming out, all looking furious. I didn’t need to read minds to know they hated Saldrea. Heavens, they were big, even in their miniaturized forms, they were all over seven feet tall.
Their leader, Prince Bayn, was the largest of them all, closer to eight feet than seven, and build like a bear, thick… everywhere. Incongruent to his size, his face was just a bit to smooth and round and full. That, along with his bald head, gave him a baby-faced look. Though there was nothing innocent about the glower in his dark eyes and the fury creasing his brow.
Koar was instantly on high alert, but Saldrea’s voice soothed him. “Let them go, they know their place,” she said as she emerged behind them.
They know their place?
Since when had titans ever submitted to elves?
Yeah, something strange was going on here.
“I want you two to tell anyone you talk to that the titans are good folk and to be treated with kindness and respect,” Saldrea said as she strolled down the hall.
I fell in step behind her. Luckily, her retinue of other ladies weren’t with her, so I didn’t have to worry about my thoughts being overheard. The fact that Saldrea hadn’t wanted her crew in the meeting with the titans was also highly suspect.
“They’re up to something,” Koar said, vicious.
Saldrea laughed. “Of course they are, but it’s something myself and my mother have sanctioned, so it is none of your concern.”
Oh yeah, this was bad.
“Vynsy,” Saldrea called.
I hated that nickname. “Yes mistress,” I said hurrying up to her side.
“I’m not done with that pesky little nymph who insulted me. I want you to seduce her, get in good with her, get close. Since she’s new here she probably has no friends. Use that. Get close. Find out all her secrets, anything I can use to destroy her.”
I wasn’t at all surprised by this request. And given my hidden feelings, I was overjoyed Saldrea was asking me to see Izzy.
However…
“She knows I work for you, she’ll suspect something.”
Saldrea tossed her head in a dismissive shrug. “Tell her you hate me, that I’m a nasty master, a bitch, that she’s your saving grace, whatever you need to. You’re pretty enough, it shouldn’t take much to convince her you’re sincere.”
I wasn’t sure which was more surprising: Saldrea’s awareness of her own villainy or her complete lack of awareness of what a real relationship required.
“As you wish, mistress.”
I turned to go, trying to hide my excitement at the thought of seeing Izzy again.
“And Vynsy…”
I turned back.
Saldrea’s eyes were a frigid blue as she gazed into my soul. “You know what happens to those who cross me.”
“I do, mistress.” Did she suspect I was on the verge of turning on her? How? Had my thoughts already betrayed me?
“Say it.”
“You destroy them, mistress. Take everything they have: power, prestige, wealth, you make them suffer.”
She smiled brightly. “Exactly!” She made a shooingmotion with her hands. “Now go! Entice every secret out of that little slut.”
I nodded and fled.
