I grind my teeth, not bothering to answer the queen’s lapdog.
Tapping her long black nails on her armrest, Queen Krosia uncrosses her legs and leans forward. “Now, now, Germain, we all have our roles. The hunt already proved there’s more potential at Shadowbone than Knox and the others want to admit. Honestly, Knox, at this point I have to wonder whether you’re intentionally trying to keep good warriors from this war.”
I don’t react to her accusation, keeping my composure. “I’m trying to make sure you end up with warriors who can make a difference. What’s the point of soldiers who will simply become fodder for the Xalgrith?”
She narrows her eyes to slits. “Are you accusing me of intentionally wanting my soldiers to fail?” Her voice is even and deathly calm.
“I’m merely stating that most of the students aren’t yet ready to fulfill the roles you have planned for them,” I clarify.
“And it’s unfortunate those ones will die,” she says, though despite her words there’s no empathy in her voice. “But for the sake of the war, blood must be spilled. Besides, I have faith Lady Fate will select more appropriate candidates once there is more…space at the academy.”
“Your highness—” I start, but I don’t get to finish.
“There will be no more discussion around this,” she says, lifting to her feet. “In spite of our efforts, the Xalgrith are growing their numbers, and we must do the same. Besides,the warriors need the games. The attacks are frequent now, and we’re losing warriors constantly. The army could use the entertainment.”
For a fleeting second, I think I see fear flicker in the queen’s eyes, but it’s gone in an instant, leaving me wondering if I’d imagined it.
Is it getting that bad?For the queen to openly admit the warriors need a distraction from the war, shows the situation out there is worse than I’d thought, but I don’t let my surprise show. I’d known the attacks were increasing, but I hadn’t realized things were becoming that dire. “You mean, the warriors need a distraction,” I say, filling in the blanks.
“What they need is hope,” Queen Krosia replies, her lips thinning. “And that’s something the games always bring.”
“So you’re willing to lose potential warriors to help bolster hope amongst the ranks?” I surmise.
“If that’s what the army requires.” She waves her hand dismissively, shadows dancing around her fingers. “But I’ll not discuss this further. Return to the academy. Germain and the others will be at Shadowbone Academy by the week’s end to erect the stadium. That’s why I summoned you here. I trust you will have the necessary arrangements made and creatures all obtained by then.”
Anger surges inside me.A week?It’s too soon, but I know better than to waste my breath trying to argue further. Clenching my jaw, I dip my head, reminding myself that one day her time will come to an end, and I will the one with my blade buried in her throat. “The creatures will all be there when the time comes, your highness,” I confirm.
“Excellent,” she says, smiling. “Then you’re dismissed.”
Knowing there’s nothing else to be said, I turn, but the queen calls out before I leave. “Oh, and Knox.”
I turn back to her.
“I do hope your friends have managed to train that lovely little pet of yours,” she says with a mocking tone. “I’mverymuch looking forward to seeing what she can do.”
An unexpected wave of white-hot rage goes through me, and I only just manage to keep my feelings contained. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy her death like so many others,” I reply coldly, before turning and striding from the room.
Chapter Twenty-One
~ Knox ~
“How’d it go?”
I don’t answer as Thane strides from the forest, heading straight for me. Continuing my task, my shadows flick out, testing the magical barrier around the academy. Power pushes against my shadows as my magic reaches out, testing, shaking the fabric of that barrier. Ensuring the magic is strong enough to keep the Xalgrith out. Then my shadows recoil, returning to me as I walk along the academy wall, searching for another area to test.
Bonfang is sitting close by, and his red eyes remain ever watchful as he assesses Thane. I send my wolf a mental request, and he stalks off into the trees, disappearing into the shadows.
Thane follows after me as I move along the barrier, testing the magic at intervals, taking my time. He follows me in silence for a while, also testing the barrier every so often, though we both know the magic is intact.
“I should have gone with you,” Thane growls, leaning back on his heels as he stares at me.
I finally turn to him. “No. She summoned me. If she wishes to keep me close so she can keep an eye on me, I’ll happily oblige.”
Thane still doesn’t look happy, but he doesn’t argue with that either. “Did you find out any information about who orchestrated the attack by the foxrets?”
“Either no one knows or they’re playing dumb,” I answer, thinking about the conversations I had with members of the serving staff after my audience with the queen. “Either way, we can handle a few pathetic attempts to end our lives. We have bigger problems.”
“The games?”
