Fury’s lips lift into an amused smirk while her eyes glitter with a keen look. “What you fail to understand is that the attackwasjustice being served. The attack was an act of revenge, and you killed Murtis as a result. Fate has chosen her victor, and you have won. Take that and be satisfied.”
The Huntsman narrows his eyes. “You know who sent Murtis, don’t you? You sanctioned the attack.”
“How could I not? Like I said, it was a matter of revenge, which I fully stand for. She petitioned me with her case, and I approved it. It was an unconventional duel, but still within my rights to approve.”
My heart hammers against my ribs. I find myself gripping the armrests of my chair with all my strength. “Who petitioned you with her case?” I ask, even though I already know the answer. It was Queen Tris. She’s here, in this very city, just like I theorized last night. I’m struck by a sudden spike of anger so strong it threatens to devour every ounce of calm my tincture has provided. Fury’s answer will confirm that Tris has succeeded at the very thing I’ve fantasized about doing since I first set foot in Department Wrath. Tris didn’t have to struggle to save money to meet with Fury. She didn’t have to worry about making the perfect first impression to petition her case. She didn’t need to figure out a way to tempt me to meet her face to face.
She took my ridiculous, impossible dream and turned it into a solid plan. Not only that, but she did it in a way that keeps her identity hidden. Keeps her name from being sullied.
Keeps her guilt a secret.
I take a deep breath, digging my fingers into the velvet armrest of my chair. The soft fabric manages to cool some of my anger.
Fury lifts her chin in defiance. “I will not tell you. I shouldn’t have even said it was ashe.”
I bite the inside of my cheek against a fresh wave of rage. Based on Fury’s fearless composure and the intelligent gleam in her eyes, I doubt anything she says is an accident. I’m willing to bet she wanted to bait us, tease us with the slightest hint of truth.
The Huntsman stiffens in his seat. “If you will not tell us whosheis, at least tell me what case she petitioned you with. What exactly was this person’s reason for orchestrating an attack against me?”
Amusement dances in Fury’s eyes. “She said someone was planning to murder an innocent woman and asked permission to use one of my fighters to rescue her.”
My stomach turns as I pore over her words. Since Tris can’t lie, she used the truth to gain Fury’s favor. I suppose being a royal didn’t hurt either, even though the Spring Queen has no sway in the Fire Court.
“Madame Fury,” the Huntsman says, “your petitioner tricked you into aiding an unjust cause.”
“Do you deny it then? Were you not planning on murdering an innocent woman?”
He says nothing for a few tense moments. When he speaks, his voice is dark. Dangerous. “I will not deny that I held such intentions, only that a matter of innocence is yet to be established. Either way, I assure you that you were misled. The woman in question stands alive beside me, as you can clearly see. Not only that, but the ogre wounded her as well. If your petitioner was so concerned over my companion’s well-being, she could have executed this supposedrescueby gentler means.”
Fury cocks her head and assesses him from under her fiery lashes. “What an entertaining turn of events.”
“Give me her name, Madame Fury.”
“Or what? You’ll report me to the Alpha Council? I’ve already told you, they won’t care. I am in my rights here. The Seven Sins Hotel is a unique entity bound by special rules. It is both the risk and reward one takes when stepping foot onto this property.”
My heart sinks. Fury is right. The hotel has certain privileges other parts of Faerwyvae don’t. Nowhere else can one so freely gamble without limits on what one can wager. Nowhere else can one watch bloody fights involving fae magic and the threat of death. Nowhere else can one buy pleasure with a fae courtesan.
Fury brings a long finger to her chin and gives us a calculating look. “You know, Murtis was supposed to fight Helody this evening. I booked their fight to last two nights. It was hard enough to convince Helody to hold back during the first fight in order to make a two-night spectacle possible. Once she finds out Murtis died by someone else’s hands, she’ll be enraged. Besides, the show must go on.”
I frown, trying to understand why she’s telling us this. “Are you saying you fixed last night’s duel just to give Murtis the chance to attack us?”
She barks a laugh. “Hardly. I’m a businesswoman and an entertainer. I planned a two-day fight between Helody and Murtis from the start. Murtis was always meant to yield during the first fight and agree to a second duel to commence the night after.”
My heart sinks a little. It never occurred to me that any aspect of the fights at Department Wrath were staged. I’ve watched duels that lasted weeks at a time. I admit, it’s disappointing to know the truth.
“How about this,” Fury says. “I’ll help you if you help me. Huntsman, you will fight in the pit tonight. You owe Helody as much, considering you killed Murtis.”
The Huntsman’s jaw shifts side to side. “Why the hell would I agree to do that?”
“Because if you fight Helody and win,” she says, then slowly slides her gaze to me, “I’ll let your female companion duel the woman whose identity you seek.”
14
ASTRID
The Huntsman rises from his chair. “Absolutely not. Miss Snow will not fight in the ring.”
My eyes dart from Madame Fury to my enraged companion. I don’t know whether I should be more shocked over Fury’s offer or the Huntsman’s concern for me. Then I remind myself he doesn’t care aboutmebut fulfilling his bargain. If I’m violently slaughtered in the fighting pit, it might prove difficult to retrieve my heart.
