Yeah, even I heard the lie in that one.
One of them I could believe. All of them? When vampires my age tended to be ignored and overlooked as they fought to win their clan's favor? Not likely.
"Shall I prove it to you, then?" Arlan asked, his laughter dying to be replaced by canniness.
I was already shaking my head. I wasn't that stupid. Take a bet from the barrow's lord? While standing in said barrow?
Even my sense of self-preservation wasn't that low.
His mouth quirked. "Such caution. It doesn't suit a splendid creature such as you."
Yes, because reckless disregard for my own life was way better.
I very carefully kept my expression neutral, knowing that handing Arlan any key to my emotions would only end up in them being twisted to suit his own agenda.
He watched me from half lidded eyes, his gaze that of a hunter anticipating flushing out his prey.
I went still, abruptly sensing the danger I was in. I checked my magic sight, cursing internally as I realized a thin sheet of magic separated us from the rest of the gathering, including Liam.
It hadn't been there earlier. It would have taken a masterful touch to raise a ward like that without me ever once realizing.
"Arlan, don't do anything stupid," I warned, already calculating my best escape route.
I could always use my ace in the hole and puncture this reality, returning us to the forest. Of course, that would alleviate any lingering doubts Arlan had about who I was and what I could do.
I'd do it if I had to, but only as a last resort.
Until then, I'd try to bluff my way out of whatever Arlan had planned.
"My wife was stupid. She enslaved people to her will and thought that made her powerful. Now, I'm the one left standing while her life's essence nourishes this tree's roots."
I couldn't help glancing down at the ground, realizing Niamh's bones were likely under there somewhere. To create this barrow the Fae had relied on some of the oldest magic there was—death magic.
"I've answered one question for you and passed your little test," I said calmly.
The situation was devolving in a direction I didn't like. I needed to get control—quick.
"I think it's time you answered a few questions of mine."
Interest lined Arlan's features, his regard overpowering. "Do you?"
"What can you tell me about the Scattered?" I asked, not allowing him to intimidate me.
"Nothing I suspect you don't already know."
"Answer anyway."
"The Scattered are some of the most feared Fae in all the realms. They weren't always. Once they were considered part of a great court whose King was unmatched by any other. Made of shadows and nightmares, he could have ruled all if he wanted." There was awe and nostalgia in Arlan's tone as if he was speaking of a treasured memory.
"What do they want?"
Surprise moved across Arlan's face. "What do all people without a home want?"
Somewhere to belong.
"And what would they want with me?" I asked.
That was the part that didn't make sense. How did I fit into all this? Until two nights ago, I hadn't even heard of the Scattered.
