Goals.
Leon stares daggers at her, but she dismisses him to fully scrutinize me. From the corner of my eye, I can see his fist is turning white from how hard he’s clenching it.
Such thin skin. Some people have never been bullied before, and it shows.
I give her my sweetest smile, and she jerks back a little, clearly not expecting it. I assume she’s about to completely ruin my self-esteem when she’s cut off by the door slamming open.
A man strides inside before a servant can get the door, and he walks with an air of domineering self-importance.
The moment my eyes lock on him, it takes a concentrated effort to stay in my seat. Because this is a man that I’ve been dying to get my hands on.
Rydon. Need’s captain of the guard. The man who raped my best friend, in a cell deep below this castle, almost every day for over a century.
His cold, calculating gaze finds mine, and I keep my own expression stony, not breaking eye contact. I’m not afraid. I’m livid.
Leon stands, clasping Rydon’s hand as the captain takes the seat beside Lilanthara. They exchangefriendly words, while I wonder what the shipping policy is from the Otherworld to the Shadow Realm. Would a dismembered penis be too rotten by the time it arrived? Asking for a friend.
Need enters the room a moment later, her gaze sweeping across the space. Her lips purse, like she’s found something lacking, before she settles at the head of the table. Leon and Rydon immediately quiet, both standing until she is seated.
“Vivian, how lovely to see you again,” she says with a smile at me before looking at the others. “Well, I’m pleasedmostof you could make it on time.”
She does not, in fact, sound pleased.
“Mother sends her apologies. Her presence is required in the Fae Realm to organize security for our newest guest.” Lilanthara’s lyrical voice is entirely at odds with the tone she used earlier. “She will return in time for court tomorrow.”
She and Need exchange a knowing look, and even Rydon nods like he knows what they’re discussing.
Of course, I have no idea what they’re talking about, but I’m used to that by now. Leon, on the other hand, is looking between them like he is two seconds from throwing a tantrum.
Someone dislikes being left out of the cool kids’ club.
I really shouldn’t condone bullying, but I’m tickled by how fragile Leon’s ego is. Besides, it’s important to embrace your faults. I’m pretty sure one of my daily affirmation calendars said something like that once.
The evil villain bonding is momentarily interrupted when the door inches open just enough for a youngwoman to edge inside. She’s silent as she slides over to stand beside the door, rather than joining us at the table. Her eyes never leave the floor, but I recognize her violet-tipped hair. She’s the same woman I saw in the hall earlier – the one who didn’t look impressed with Leon’s speech.
“It’s about time you decided to join us,” Need snaps, not hiding her irritation.
“I’m sorry, it took longer than anticipated to lock–” she starts.
“I don’t care what it is you were doing. Now stop skulking in the corner like some commoner and sit down,” Need interrupts.
The girl flinches and immediately moves to a chair further down the table. My heart goes out to her. Is she being held here against her will, too? Maybe she can be a potential ally. If this is the inner circle, then an ally here would be amazing.
No one else seems put off by Need’s behavior. Rydon is grinning like the mistreatment of others is a turn-on for him (creepy and far too close to the realm of possibility), and Lilanthara looks smug.
Need stays quiet until the servants finish piling food onto her plate. Then, she holds up a hand, and everyone freezes. “That will be all. Leave,” she orders.
The servants scramble out of the room, and as soon as the last one is gone, Need waves a hand, causing the air to pulse around us. Instantly, the sound of retreating footsteps is silenced.
My brow raises. She must have set up some kind of magical sound shield.
I suppose that explains the lack of secrecy for this dinner. Why bother with dark, secret meeting spots when you can use magic to stop anyone else from listening in?
Need turns to Leon. “Do use the leash to ensure these words don’t leave this room.”
He jumps into action, like a lapdog eager to please his mistress. “Vivian, you will not say a word about what you hear within the inner circle.” He says it with authority, like using a magical leash to control my actions is an accomplishment.
Weak flex, bro.
