He looks at me, eyes swimming with calculation, but not as sharp as they usually are. There’s a layer of intensity missing, like somebody’s peeled back the surface of who he presents to the world, and snippets of the true Cain are slipping through.
No, that’s not right. His blankness isn’t a mask—itisthe true him, but he has a single weak spot that can transform him into a different person.
“Make your peace and make your plans,” Cain says. “Ember will be transferring to Dagon tomorrow. Whether or not she remains that way is entirely up to you. If you interfere during the trade and in any way endanger my Chosen, I’ll kill both of you. Otherwise…” he trails off with a shrug that truly seems careless. “Once I have Azalea, I really don’t give a fuck what you do. But, until then, you stay in line or you die screaming.”
He's given me free range to plot something, only to put me on a leash. I completely believe his threat that he’ll kill both me and Ember, because at the end of the day, we mean nothing. The girl Dagon has, however? The prodigal chemist?
She means everything to him.
“Get out, both of you,” Cain says. “Take Tobias with you. I’m not to be disturbed between now and tomorrow.”
I catch what hedoesn’tsay; that he’s giving us the freedom to plot, unencumbered by him gazing over our shoulders. He doesn’twantto know what we’re planning.
Greyson and I both leave.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Ember
The more time I spend with Scarlett, the more I find myself appreciating her presence. She’s smart. Bright. Quick-witted and sharp.
She also tried to kill Greyson when he pushed her too far, which automatically earns her points of respect in my book. I appreciate anyone who has the fortitude to stand up for themselves despite trying circumstances.
“So, you’re saying you could engineer plants to secrete a specific poison—one never before seen?”
“A hybrid of known poisons, yes,” Scarlett says. “It’s a holistic approach. Icouldstand in a chemistry lab and mix and match compounds, synthetic or natural, until they have the desired outcome—or I can engineer life that’ll create something entirely new. I’m thinking of crossing the nightshade, oleander, and hemlock. It’s super tricky, though, since those flowers aren’tnaturallycompatible for cross breeding, so I’ll need to alter their DNA a bit.” She sighs. “It’dbe nice to have a chemist in the lab with me, or someone with more experience in gene editing, but I’ll manage—”
Several beeps sound on the door, then it swings open. Scarlett sets down the Oreo pack she was picking at, eyes sparkling as she turns to face the door.
Max comes in first—Greyson stands in the doorway and beckons Scarlett to him. Both men wear morose expressions, as if they’re about to attend a funeral.
Something’s wrong. Something’sverywrong. Whatever alarm Maximus got, it led to terrible news. He’s staring at me with an expression of sheer devastation, barely-underscored by anger.
The only reason I could see for him staring at me like that is…
No.
I don’t realize I’ve said it aloud until Max’s lips thin and his eyes start to shine with something that look suspiciously like tears.
“No,” I repeat, the word slick with terror.
“What’s going on?” Scarlett’s voice is a little shrill. She’s caught on to the tension.
“Let’s go talk in our room, Flower,” Greyson says.
“No—what’s going on?”she demands.
“Scarlett.” Greyson’s tone is seeped in warning. “Come.”
“Not until you tell me what’s going on—”
“Now, or I’ll make you.”
Scarlett stiffens at the threat. She casts me one last, uncertain look, then stumbles out of the apartment, ignoring Greyson’s outstretched hand.
He locks eyes with Max. Shakes his head. Mutters, “Fuck.”
And then he’s gone.
