Ty could see the trepidation on Ena’s face, and she wasn’t alone. He felt it tightening his own. What the fuck was Cole up to?
There was no doubt in his mind that if Cole tried to harm her in any way, that would be it. He wouldn’t be able to hold himself back from protecting her, and he knew that would come with dire consequences, but it didn’t fucking matter.
His fists tightened where he sat on the edge of his seat, watching Ena with his heart in his throat as she came to a stop at the foot of the dais.
Cole addressed the group, smiling in that superior way of his that made Ty want to smash the man’s head against the cave wall. “This witch-slave, as many of you know, was captured by these three faithful servants of Iblis on their most recent mission, and she is a prize indeed. A powerful addition to our efforts in the Underworld, as she has been Giftedvisanis.”
Several shocked gasps and murmurs whispered through the crowd at that revelation, but they fell silent at Cole’s next words.
“And I think, given how unique and rare that Power is, even amongst daemons, it would be in the spirit of the celebration to receive a…demonstration.”
A demonstration? What was this asshole up to? Ena’s Gift wouldn’t work on anyone here, except for the…
Ty’s train of thought was cut off as Zak led one of the mortalimperito the dais next to Ena. Her eyes darted to Ty. There was fear and helplessness in them, and it cut Ty to the bone.
What should he do? Should he stop this? Stopping it might put Ena in more danger, if Cole saw his response as a threat. But he knew Ena was still coming to terms with her Gift and didn’t like using it against others unless absolutely necessary. How would she react to this? Having to use it on an innocent mortal?
“Ty,” Cole began, directing his dark, malicious eyes onto him. “Would you please order your witch-slave to show us the promise of what you’ve brought?”
Ty held his tongue. Cole had him backed into a corner here, and he knew it. Averting his gaze from his uncle, he looked at Ena and nodded once. “You heard him, witch,” he said, his voice coming out harshly as he intended.
He spoke without emotion, but with his eyes, he tried desperately to reassure her.
You need to play along with this. It’s the safest choice.
Ena’s chin lifted as she looked at theimperithat Zak had brought. The man was older, in his late sixties. He’d been brought here almost fifteen years ago after discovering a daemon using his Power. He’d bargained for his life and agreed to come to the Underworld and serve willingly in exchange for being allowed to live. But Ty remembered Turner mentioning that the man had left his entire family behind, and he thought of them often.
“W-what do you want him to do?” Ena asked Ty, her voice trembling slightly.
Ty looked to Cole, raising an eyebrow. This was his command; he should be the one to get whatever it was he wanted out of it.
“Have him fetch me a drink,” Cole said, as he sat back down in his throne, looking far too pleased with himself.
Ena refocused on the man wearing theimperaecollar, whose eyes were lowered to the floor. Ty could see the war in her eyes as she felt pressured to use her Gift on an innocent man for no good reason. But she was brave. He knew that already, and soon Ty felt the hairs on his arm stand up as the eerie voice of hervisanisechoed around the room.
{Fill a cup with woodwater and deliver it to the king.}
The man didn’t even look at Ena, he just moved as if in a trance, walking back down the stairs from the dais over to where the barrels of woodwater were kept. The entire room watched as he took a single cup and filled it to the brim with woodwater, then walked calmly back to the dais with it.
He walked up the stairs, and that’s when Ty noticed his hand trembling slightly. Woodwater sloshed out of the cup in small amounts, leaving dark drip marks on the stone steps.
Ena’s Gift might take away someone’s will, but it didn’t take away their fear over what was happening beyond their control.
Ena’s shoulders dipped slightly in relief as theimperiwalked directly to Cole’s throne, holding out the cup in offering.
But Ty saw that feline smile spread across Cole’s face, and he knew that this wasn’t over.
“Most impressive,” Cole said, a pleased look in his eye. “Now tell him to drink it.”
Ena looked to Ty, confusion on her face. What the fuck was Cole playing at?
Ty wasn’t sure, but nodded to her.Keep playing along.That was the safest thing for everyone.
{Drink the woodwater.}
Theimperidid as he was told and brought the woodwater to his lips, draining the cup in several gulps.
The man coughed and sputtered afterward. Ty wasn’t sure if theimperiwere used to drinking woodwater, as they were usually given the most basic of provisions on the lower level.
