She met my gaze with an unfaltering look. “I mean every word. You must intend to kill Carmine, and I will aid you in this.”
A buzzing had filled my thoughts that made it hard to process her words. I couldn’t trust Athira. I should kill her, return to heal Grandfather, then Adeuto and he could stay in the desert until the job was done. Very few others had Athira’s tracking ability. And now we knew that the king was using human technology too.
But if Athira was genuine? She was one of the strongest demons in the realm, and Carmine trusted her. Other demons revered her, and she commanded the guards in ranking just beneath her son. With her help, my plan transformed frompossiblytovery likely.
Not just in killing Carmine, but in the part that came after. I would hold the throne until Adeuto came into power. Athira’s support would almost ensure the cooperation of the other royals—and the subjects too.
There was a lot to gain.
And a lot to lose.
“I’m not convinced, Athira. I will not risk Adeuto based on your words.”
Her face firmed, but she nodded. “I intend to aid you whether you like it or not. Carmine is more powerful than anyone—even you—fathoms. We cannot hope to remove him from the throne without other help. We must release your twin from the dungeons.”
“I have bargained with Carmine to do so.”
“He won’t release her,” she said. “He has told me as much. He will allow you to see her, and then use her to ensure your… agreement to the mating ritual.”
Bastard.While I liked to think that wouldn’t have worked. Only a direct and lethal threat to Adeuto’s life could have seenme sacrifice my twin’s safety. He absolutely could control me using Tempest.
“We need to free her,” said his mother. “But you will never get past the barrier in the dungeons without my help. The barrier is woven with Carmine’s power and mine. Anyone who is cleared to go through has received clearance from both of us.”
I lifted a shoulder. “Which means?”
“You do not need clearance from Carmine. His magic will not hurt you. Unless he truly turns on the mating, which he currently hasn’t. I can provide the rest of the clearance you need to reach your twin.”
I was impressed by the speed of her plans. She hadn’t needed to reveal the nature of the barrier either. “What would you suggest once my twin is freed?”
“That we show her to a demon gate,” Athira said. “But then, you had already intended to do that. We need the help of other supernaturals.”
Shit.She was good.
So was this an elaborate ruse to drag all of my plans from me before going to Carmine? Potentially. But I had never known Athira to waste time with ploys and subterfuge. She was a dagger-to-the-throat kind of gal. As shown with Adeuto.
“I can’t trust you, Athira,” I said.
“Who said anything about trust?” she withered. “Your human notions sicken me. We enter this as demons do. You expect me to betray you, and I expect you to betray me. That is how we work together toward a mutual cause.”
I arched my brows. “You made one mistake before coming here.”
She winced. Just slightly. “I am aware.”
Gloating to Gratia and Carmine about her nearness to finding my hideout would come with consequences. “He will need to be convinced.”
Gratia would likely keep her silence unless she managed to figure out the entire truth.
Athira glanced at Adeuto, who was lying down on the back of the nismus as she grazed.
“I will need to kill your grandfather. Without him, Carmine will feel suspicious. We cannot risk him questioning my loyalty.”
The grandfather who’d helped me when no one else would. Even if in the beginning he’d only helped me out of the desire to eventually seek revenge on Carmine. And he would still get that revenge for the death of his son at Carmine’s hand.
I would uphold that.
He just wouldn’t live to see it happen. Mercurial acceptance flooded me, and there was no small amount of shame from my magus side at the betrayal. “I understand that’s necessary. That does create other issues with Adeuto’s care. Once I join with Carmine in the intention ritual, I can’t visit my son. He’s too young to be left alone.”
Athira said, “I will care for him. In the same place, or another if you prefer. I am often out of the fortress enforcing Carmine’s rule. I assume that during your four-hour absence, you have been coming to this place. I will leave in that time to do what I need to do as the king’s mother. Otherwise, I can be here.”
