Enafollowedthetwodaemons through the passageways of the upper levels toward the Great Antre. Neither of them touched her, but their presence made the hair on the back of her neck stand up and her stomach twist in knots. She didn’t have her Knowing to truly tell her their intentions, but even without it, she could tell—they were bleeding contempt and violence.
The three of them walked in silence as Ena’s mind spun. Did Cole want an update about the mission? That was the most likely scenario, but she couldn’t stem the flow of dread that filled her thinking of all the other worse possibilities.
What if he’d figured out about the amulet? Or learned about her and Ty’s relationship? What if he wanted her to use her Gift on someone again? Or had he figured out that she’d embarrassed him on purpose during theonatacelebration?
Ena was sweating by the time the three of them entered the Great Antre, their footsteps the only sound echoing around the vast cavern—a chilling reminder of her isolation.
Together, they approached Cole, who was sitting at the head of the long wooden table on his throne. Ena was somehow grateful that his throne had been moved off the dais where it had sat during theonatacelebration, but despite that, he seemed to loom over the space still, his presence pervasive.
He watched her with a look of barely contained excitement on his face, like a cat toying with a mouse, as she walked in. Ena’s heart began to pound.
Nothing about this felt good. Nothing about this felt safe.
The three of them paused at the other end of the table from Cole as his face broke into a feline grin.
“So glad you could join us, witch-slave,” he said, his tone gentile and charming, and so at odds with the menace in his eyes.
Ena didn’t know what to say, so she remained silent. Gunnar and Chans still flanked her on either side, trapping her to the point where she felt claustrophobic.
“I require an update on my nephew’s mission. Tell me, what else have you found?” Cole asked directly.
Was that all this was about? The mission, like Ena suspected? She didn’t know for sure, but she began talking anyway, just to appease him.
“I, uh, did find something, actually. A lead on a rune that might work with my Gift. Theimperiumrune.” Ena’s voice shook slightly as she spoke, not at all like the confidence she had mustered during theonatacelebration. But she’d had Ty at her side then, guiding her, watching her back.
Now she was alone.
She was suddenly faced with the overwhelming urge to cry. She didn’t know why—she hadn’t done anything wrong, but she knew she couldn’t do that, so instead she plastered on a polite smile. Maybe if she just kept smiling, everything would be okay.
“Good…good,” Cole mused. But he kept staring at her. He didn’t seem like he was done.
Ena’s hands fidgeted where they were clasped in front of her, but other than that, she tried not to move. She worried if she did, they’d take it as an excuse to hurt her. She was keenly aware that she was outnumbered here. Her use of magic was restricted, and even though she’d been training to fight with Ty and Turner, there was no way she could take these daemons on her own.
“You know…” Cole continued speaking, his voice slithering over her. “I remember you.”
Ena froze.
“My nephew thinks he’s so clever, bringing you here. Pretending as if you’re not the same witch he tried to run to all those years ago.” Cole’s gaze turned hard as steel. “He’s been lying to me.”
Shit, shit, shit. Ena’s brain was frantic. Cole knew who she was? Knew about her and Ty’s history?
Her stomach dropped. What else did he know?
“But I’m no fool,” Cole continued, spitting out the last word. “I remember the way he looked at you. Remember how desperately he tried to get to you.” The man chuckled sadistically. “And there are those in the Underworld, myself included, who see how dangerous his feelings for you are.”
Ena swallowed. Her mouth was bone dry, and she tried desperately to get her sluggish, fear-addled brain to think of a plan. She needed to do something—she could sense violence approaching, and she couldn’t just stand here and let it happen. Maybe she could create a distraction with her magic and run, but the darkrock lanterns were too far away to blow up in their faces like she did to Ty while sparring.
The air, maybe? She could create a swirling vortex in the cave. But then where would she run to? They were deep underground,and they would inevitably catch her when she got lost in the passageways.
She was trapped.
Without Ty to handle this—to protect her—she had no way to protect herself. For the first time since coming to the Underworld, she truly realized what a dangerous situation she’d walked into, and regret started to creep in.
“So, as punishment for you both lying, I think an example needs to be set. To remind him, and everyone, of what you are,” Cole continued, the tension in the room palpable. “But I want you to know, it’s nothing personal. You’ve been a good little witch-slave.”
Cole looked at Gunnar where he stood beside her and gave him a curt nod of permission.
Ena’s head whipped to look at him just as his hand flew out, striking her across the face.
