Magnus turns to me, clearly frustrated but still level-headed. “And you don’t oppose his actions, little enigma?”
I turn, and my stare collides with Sin’s. There’s no mistaking the challenge in his eyes. I know he would have stopped touching me if I asked him to. But I didn’t.
I wanted it.
Sure, I’m annoyed that he openly claimed me, but what will admitting that achieve? The last thing my allies need is a rift between them, and Damien looks ready to do battle on my behalf.
Not happening. This fight stays between Sin and me.
“Not at all,” I respond sweetly, but I don’t tear my eyes away from Sin. “Especially since he agreed that I can mark him in return.”
Sin raises a brow but doesn’t disagree.
Still, my comment must be enough to calm Damien because he visibly relaxes against Magnus, his lethal intent somewhat dissipating.
“Well, now that you’ve got that out of your systems,” Morgana starts, clearing her throat. “We have a problem to discuss.”
Her comment sends my anxiety skyrocketing.
The last time we had a problem was earlier today. How frequently do problems happen in this realm?
I don’t need more anxiety.
My needs are simple and consistent.
A bookish realm with a ward that doesn’t allow entry to men would still solve ninety-nine percent of my problems.
“Now that Vivian has removed the forsaken from the realm, we have lost our army. We are vulnerable, and if the Council finds out, they will not hesitate to attack,” Morgana says, pulling me out of my thoughts.
Arianna looks at me quizzically, and I shrug, not even remotely sorry. “Enslaving souls is disgusting. I freed them.”
Morgana narrows her eyes at me. “So, you say. However, I note that you have no proof they’ve been freed. And believe it or not, I happen to agree with you. I never enslaved the forsaken. My realm was a sanctuary to them, and they helped me in return.”
I frown at her. “I’m sorry, but don’t you have a freed Destroyer here? Can’t he just dis-exist the Council? Why didn’t you guys do that the moment you got his key?”
I’m not trying to be rude. I’m genuinely curious as to why they’ve dragged things out for so long.
Rosie coughs, and Sin mutters under his breath, “So bloodthirsty, kitten.”
Morgana sighs. “The Council’s Castle is protected by magic that nullifies Destroyer energy. We couldn’t hit them at their heart, even if we wanted to.”
I still don’t get it. “But can’t Sin just un-exist any soldiers sent here?”
Sin sits forward and answers, “I can. Can’t people in your realm just throw nuclear bombs around any time someone misbehaves?”
I swallow.Touché.
Morgana continues, “If Sin uses his powers to that end, we will draw the anger of every neighboring realm. They’ll feel threatened, even if we mean them no harm. We’ll have more enemies than ever. I’m not prepared to commit genocide in every realm. We want to do this properly, to bring peace. Not more war.”
I nod, a bit in awe. Morgana really isn’t evil. She and Sin have the power to destroy the universe, but they refuse to use it.
“We need allies now, more than ever. I’ve made many contacts over the years. Some in the Council, some outside. They have large armies at their disposal. If they can be convinced to join us, we might have a chance at taking down Need and any other corrupted members,” Morgana says, hope entering her tone.
My brow furrows. “But why only do this now? Again, why wait so long to form allies?”
Morgana smiles, and it’s calculated. “We didn’t. I’ve been trying, but they’ve refused to side with us for fear of retaliation from Need. However, there is one thing that can change their mind.”
The others turn from Morgana to me, and I shrink back into my chair a fraction under the weight of their attention.
