“I think it’s more complicated than that.” I shook my head. “People who betray royalty aren’t usually motivated by gold alone. My guess is she offers them something specific, something they desperately want that only Dark magic can provide.”
“Like what?” Seri asked, her gray eyes wide.
“Immortality. Youth. Power.” I took a sip of coffee. “Maybe even revenge. Arabesque is skilled at uncovering people’s deepest desires and exploiting them.”
Seri shuddered, and I immediately regretted my bluntness. She, more than anyone, knew exactly how manipulative Arabesque could be.
“Speaking of spies,” Koa interrupted, his attention on his laptop, “our little friend is stirring.”
He turned the screen so we could all see the feed from one of his spy eyes. Amabel was finally getting out of bed, stretching lazily like she didn’t have a care in the world. The sight of her made my jaw clench. This was the woman who had tormented Seri, who had helped Arabesque keep her prisoner, who had participated in the illegal siphoning of Seri’s magic until she was a shell of herself.
“Time to move,” I said, standing abruptly. “Zane, get the SUV ready.”
Zane nodded and headed for the garage, while Koa continued monitoring the feed. Seri began clearing the dishes, but I gently took them from her hands.
“Leave them,” I said quietly. “Let me help you get ready.”
She looked up at me, her expression resolute despite the worry I could see lurking beneath the surface.
“I’m not afraid, Simmy.”
“I know, my brave love.” I leaned down to touch my forehead to hers. “ButIam. I can’t lose you.”
“You won’t.” Her small hand came up to cup my cheek, and I turned my face so I could kiss her palm. “Everything’s going to work out. Hang onto that, okay?”
“I’ll try.”
#
Thirty minutes later, we were all kitted up and ready to go. Zane had backed the armored SUV out of the garage, a sleek black beast that Sebastian had gifted us as a wedding present. It was a technological marvel: bullet-proof, armor-plated, warded down to the spark plugs. Even Father had been impressed when Sebastian had presented it to us, pride evident in his usually stoic expression.
“This will keep our beloved safe while we deal with Amabel,” I’d told my brothers, and they’d agreed without hesitation.
Our plan was simple. We would all pretend to be leaving the estate, driving the SUV down the winding driveway until we were just out of sight of the mansion. Seri would stay safely in the vehicle with Brumous standing guard, while my brothers and I doubled back to catch Amabel when she inevitably tried to sneak into the house.
I still didn’t quite believe she’d try to kill Eluned if she couldn’t free her. True, my own morals veered towards gray at times, but to eliminate Ko or Zane or even Sebastian? I’d die myself first.
“Are we missing anything?” I went through one final mental inventory as we prepared to leave.
“Nope. We’re ready.” Koa patted his tactical vest, his favorite daggerSerafinafront and center in his chest harness.
“Can’t wait to slap this on that bitch.” Zane stroked the handle of the Hexenf?nger as seductively as if it were Seri’s neck.
I nodded, but paused at the sudden feeling that something was wrong. Shaking my head, I pushed the thought aside. The plan was solid. Everything was in place. We’d been successful many times with far less planning and prep.
We would be fine.
#
The first hint that our perfect plan wasnotfine came when Koa cursed under his breath, his eyes glued to his laptop. We were still getting into the SUV when his fingers froze over the keyboard.
“She’s gone,” he said, his voice tight with alarm.
“What do you mean?” Climbing into the driver’s seat, I started the engine with a frown.
“Amabel just entered Ondine Filcher’s cottage,” Koa explained, typing furiously. “The spy eyes can’t follow. Water witch has wards up.”
I glanced in the rearview mirror at Seri, who sat between Zane and Brumous, her face pale, but her eyes alight with determination.
