Lord Cato growled, “Do as your ruler says!”
Warm blood rained down from above.
I was free.
I blinked in confusion, the surrounding silence immense, and turned around on slow feet. I wiped the blood off my eyelids and stared at the gore before me—a bodyliterallypulverized and minced to a level of uncooked ground beef. White flecks were all that remained of bones. Shreds of clothing were barely seen. I shut my mouth and lifted my eyes to the Overlord standing in the middle of what was left of Devin.
Lord Belshazzar licked the blood off of his right thumb, his eyes glowing red. He stated coolly, “I warned him.” He tipped his blood-covered head to the side. “Your majesty, you should move behind me now.”
Shit. Fuck. Oh, good God.
I blurred with speed to move behind him.
The attack came before I got there.
Not that it mattered.
Lord Belshazzar held Ysander up in the air by his throat. With enough calm to soothe a child, he stated, “Master Niallan just lost one partner. I don’t think he can handle another today—maybe tomorrow, though.” The lord winked before he shoved and chucked the druid through the air.
Ysander landed on his feet. Barely.
Furious tears streamed down his face, and his unnatural fangs were bared. “Iwillkill you for that one day.”
Lord Belshazzar snorted. “You don’t listen very well, either.”
Master Niallan leaned heavily against the table on his left arm, with his head lowered and his right hand covering his eyes. His shoulders shook hard as he wept without a sound.
The Overlord’s uncompromising gaze landed on the druid. He explained coolly, “The twelve hours starts now, candidate. And I suggest you bring Queen Gwynnore back without a scratch on her, or I will make what happened here seem like a fucking beautiful birthday wish.”
No response came. Nothing at all.
Master Niallan continued to weep silently.
Lord Otto cleared his throat, and stated softly, “We’ll allow you ten extra minutes to collect yourself, candidate. You’ll be able to find the queen in our quarters when you’re ready to leave.”
I veered wide around “Devin” and followed the lords out of the room. Once we were far enough away, I allowed myself to smile. I whispered, “Well, that’s one down. We know who’s going tomorrow.”
The Overlords’ grins were pure evil.
It was breathtakingly stunning.
We’d all have pleasant dreams tonight.
Thank fuck the dolls were nowhere in sight.
* * *
“Where do the Three live?” I asked as we walked out of the castle. The winter sun was high in the sky at midday. I pulled my freshly washed hair up into a ponytail. “Do we have to leave the stronghold?”
Master Niallan still didn’t speak.
His eyes were bloodshot. His perfectly tan face was splotchy. His lush lips were swollen. He still wore the clothes from last night. His gait wavered left and right; he was hardly staying on his feet.
And he was mute.
I explained gently, “I understand you’re livid right now, and can barely see straight, but talking might keep your mind off of it.”
“Your majesty, for both of our sakes, just shut up,” Master Niallan responded. His tone was dull and dead to the world. “I’m trying really hard right now not to slit your throat out of vengeance.”
