“Butwhy?” Sam asked again. “He is innocent. Does your power give you a reason?”
“In a way.” She paused for a moment. “It’s hard to explain. I justknow, and at my brother’s trial, I saw Caius’ beautiful golden soul darken before my very eyes.”
“You can’t see the souls ofRoyals,” Lauren interjected.
“You’re correct,” theRoyalagreed. “But Caius was on trial. I have to see their souls when they’re on trial.” She smiled sadly. “Caius would have tried to kill Gedeon. He was angry and hurt, whereas Gedeon was ruthless and cunning. Our brother would have anticipated Caius’ retaliation, and he would have killed him.” She looked off, almost in a daze. “Why it was five-hundred years, I’m not sure. All I knew was he needed something.”
Leaning against the wall, Lauren crossed her arms. “Needed something?” Her voice lost its edge.
“I didn’t know.” Adila gave them a meaningful look. “Until three months ago.”
Sam and Lauren both stood at attention. “Rory,” Lauren concluded.
“Aurora? Yes. I don’t know why or how he needs her, just that he does.”
“Even pissed off, Caius would have won against Gedeon,” Sam argued, unable to push the thought from his mind. “Gedeon could not have known Atarah’s power would pass to him. Caius had years to learn to control his power.”
“He killed Atarah.” Adila and Sam looked at Lauren, who staredback at them like they were idiots. “He killed her with only a dagger, and she could have turned him to ash. Do not underestimate him. Ever.”
The three stared at each other. Sam didn’t understand why theSeraphimwaited five-hundred years to send Rory to Caius, or why Adila’s power didn’t think he could kill Gedeon. Why not send hisAeternumimmediately, and why did they give Gedeon the Lux power, anyway?
Nothing the creators did made sense to him.
“Rory wants to speak with you,” Lauren told Adila. “Her memories are back, and she wants you to send her back to Vincula.”
“Her memories are back? When?” Sam barked before Adila could reply. Lauren glared at him.
Did Caius know? If so, why did he not inform him?Sam wondered. The king was distracted earlier, but something as crucial as Rory regaining her memories shouldn’t have slipped his mind. He’d not been the same since Rory left, and Sam was afraid he was headed to a place where he could not be saved.
“Yesterday,” Lauren answered. “We went to Max, and I gave him a little boost. It worked.”
Sam stared at her incredulously. “A boost? You could have killed them both.” AnAngel’spower was beyond anything in the realms, and if too much was used, it would destroy everything. Using it on a mystic was a risk. Sam had considered helping Caius, but the amount needed to complete his task would kill him.
Lauren faced him and matched his imposing stance. “I am not an idiot, Sam. It was a small push. Small enough that I didn’t think it would work.”
“I cannot send her back,” Adila cut in.
Lauren whirled on her. “Why? You said yourself Caius needs her.”
Adila looked stricken. “I can only send someone to Vincula if they are on trial. I have already explained the Scales of Justice to you. If she commits a crime, there is no guarantee she will be sent to Vincula.”
She could be sent to hell.
Lauren swore under her breath. “Can you break her contract Caius took over?”
Adila’s sadness turned quickly to annoyance. The quick change almost made Sam laugh.Almost. “If I could, don’t you think I would have already?”
“We need to discuss Gedeon,” Sam reminded them. “A maid told me anyone who questions the reason for the non-Aatxeguards is fired.”
Adila looked surprised. “What maid? She’s a brave woman, speaking with a stranger about something that could get her fired or worse.”
Sam shifted slightly. “You are dwelling on the wrong thing. You said his guards are spying on you, but why would they need to if your room is compromised?”
“I don’t sit in my room all day like an old maid,” she replied hotly. “But anywhere I go within the palace, a spy is always nearby. When I noticed what was happening, I hired an undercover guard, a woman named Heather. As far as everyone else knows, we’re best friends.”
Lauren wrinkled her nose. “What kind of name is Heather?”
Sam shot Lauren a‘Not now’look.
