Dawn shook her head. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“I know all of this is a little hard to believe,” the handsome man said with a friendly smile, “but I am a man of my word. When you’re ready to talk business, just let our furry little friend here know, and he’ll get in contact with me. But don’t wait too long. Humans are so fragile, and Dazimin is a dangerous place.”
The feed suddenly disappeared, and Ally thought her legs might give out on her. She realized suddenly who the beautiful man was, and that made his beauty all the more fantastical.That was him. The Crown Prince of Hell.
Lyk came up behind her, his arms circling her waist, and she was grateful for the support. Ally closed her eyes, breathing heavily.She’s still alive. And we might be able to get her back.
The hope that had been fizzling sprang back to life, renewed by the image of Evie. Even though her sister was in mortal fear, she was alive and looked unharmed.I will get her back, she vowed, her purpose restored.
Dawn slipped to her knees again, peering closely at the robot. “He’s altered you somehow, hasn’t he, Ladee?”
The creature didn’t respond. It blinked lazily, allowing his former companion’s scrutiny. Dawn let out a curse and returned to her feet. “He needs a full examination. That means I need to take him apart.”
“Shouldn’t we tell the rest of the family before you start dissecting our negotiator?” Lyk asked with a slightly sarcastic tone.
“He’s done something to him. Something… unholy.”
“It’s a robot, right?” Ally asked. “How could he do anything unholy to a robot?”
“He’s the fucking Prince of Hell,” Dawn snapped. “His minions stole my friend from me, then made me forget he ever existed. If Zelup hadn’t tried with all his might to make me remember, I would have lost him forever. Hell, I could still lose him because whatever that thing is now, he isn’t the sweet Ladee I created.”
“But he’s the Ladee we have,” Ally said, trying to soften her tone while simultaneously speaking with authority. “And he’s the best shot we have of getting our people back without risking lives on Dazimin.”
“Our people,” Dawn sputtered. “You think Penn is going to give up Tess? He’s already been to Dazimin once to bring her home.”
“But your queen, her own brother is suffering there.”
“And Jazmine will definitely have a say in what comes next. But it’s naïve to think we’ll do some kind of convoluted prisoner swap with the prince. He’s not exactly trustworthy.” Dawn picked up a penlight and flashed it in Ladee’s eyes. “I know he did something to you, and I’m going to figure it out.”
Lyk let out a frustrated groan. “It’s becoming abundantly clear that we won’t be heading back to bed anytime soon. In that case, I’m going to convene my brothers for a healthy discussion of our plans for Dazimin.”
Dawn nodded. “I’ll bring Ladee to the War Room soon. Everyone is going to want to hear what he has to say.”
Putting a hand in the small of Ally’s back, Lyk started to steer her out of the lab.
“Wait,” Ally said, suddenly remembering the school group. Turning back to Dawn, she asked if the scientist had any clothing she could borrow.
“In my quarters, sure, but they’re across the palace from here. I do have a lab coat you can borrow, and it buttons up, so you don’t have to worry about that oversized robe falling open.” Dawn pulled out a crisp white lab coat and passed it to Ally.
“I’ll get this back to you as soon as I can,” Ally said while taking off the robe and exchanging it for the lab coat.
“Keep it,” Dawn said, already distracted once again by her robot creature.
“Don’t forget the War Room,” Lyk called to her as they left, and Dawn waved without looking up from Ladee.
Ally finished buttoning up the lab coat as they were walking into the corridor. “Where to?” she asked Lyk, who was striding down the hallway fast enough that she had to jog to keep up.
“Marek’s quarters. He’ll issue orders for the family to assemble.”
She scurried down the hallway, attempting to memorize her surroundings, but it didn’t take.This place is a maze. If I let Lyk out of my sight for one second, I risk becoming lost forever.
A red door received Lyk’s insistent knock, and the sounds of two children erupting into twin crying fits made Ally grimace.Shit. That’s not the way to get on the King’s good side.
The door burst open and a glowering Marek stood there. “What?”
“I know it’s late, but we’ve just had a special visitor. Does the name Ladee ring any bells?”
“What are you talking about, pirate boy? Too much rum again? We just got the children down to bed and you come along, pounding on doors and ruining all our hard work.”
