The level of bitterness in that statement had me shooting a cautious look at his back.
“My twin and I are just cogs in his agenda. Same as the pixie queen and her consort.”
“You sure are putting a lot of effort into poisoning my relationship with Inara and Lowen.”
“Just pointing out something you may have overlooked.”
“Instead of worrying about me, how about you concern yourself with the possibility of traitors in your own circle?” I spat.
Baran’s magic surged, cold and heavy as it spilled into the tunnel, carrying with it the taste of autumn. “I warned you to watch your tongue. You saw only what Arlan wanted you to see. What he wanted the Summer King to see. Any appearance of submission is just that. An appearance.”
“How are you so sure?”
“Because I know my master. It’s impossible for him and that usurper to coexist. This is a game and Arlan is doing what he must to win.”
His magic withdrew.
A headache pounded in my temple. “I hope you’re right.”
Because if Arlan was working for the other side, we probably wouldn’t survive the night.
Baran gave me his back. “You just worry about yourself. No one asked you to get involved.” A second later, he shot me an irritated look. “How are you here anyways? Inara was certain you wouldn’t remember anything.”
“I’m surprised you believed her given your obvious distrust.”
Just how long was this tunnel? It seemed to go on forever. Twisting and dipping until it was difficult to know how far we’d come or how far we had left to go.
“I had no reason not to.”
“Given what I am, did it never occur to the two of you that any geas you placed on me would eventually be broken?”
“We thought there would be more time. You’re stronger than Inara led me to believe. Much stronger.” A shiver ran up my spine at the speculative look Baran shot me. “The most difficult magic to break is one that affects the emotions and perception.”
That was pretty much what I’d figured out too. You had to know something was there in order to unravel it.
“Last time I attributed your escape to luck and desperation,” Baran said.
I tightened my grip on the dagger, not liking the speculative look on his face. Like he wasn’t seeing me but rather a chip he could use to bargain with.
“It’s a real shame we never got the chance to make you our toy,” Baran mused, moving away. “The fun we could have had.”
I should have killed him when I had the chance.
“Keep up,” he ordered over his shoulder. “If we allow too much distance between us, the barrow may decide to separate us.”
“That might not be such a bad thing,” I muttered under my breath.
“You think so? I promise there are worse monsters in this place than me. Someone like you would be considered something of a delicacy.”
He always had to have the last word.
Reluctantly, I strode toward the waiting Fae.
I’d play his game. For now, at least. The moment would come, however, when the odds would shift. We’d see what happened then.
A short while later, Baran slowed. “This can’t be right.”
“What can’t?”
