“I need to speak to Seferin,” I demand. “I have something he wants.”
The guards glance at each other and scoff. “Fuck off,mortal.”
I snatch the dagger Thane gave me and point it at them. “Tell him I need to see him. Now!” My voice is steady and firm, but my hands are shaking.
The guard on the right sneers.
The one on the left raises a stern brow. “I suggest you leave, or we’ll slit your pretty little throat right here, right now.”
I should be frightened by that threat, but after enduring The Shallows, it’s going to take a lot more than a couple of sorcerer guards to scare me. “I’m not going anywhere until I speak to him. I know he’s in there, and I’m sure he’ll want to hear what I have to say.”
As my words echo against the stone walls, one of the doors behind the guards clanks and peels open.
A man steps out. I know exactly who he is as soon as our eyes meet.
Black suit. Red tie. Warm ivory skin. Sleek black hair. Dark, beady eyes.
Seferin.
Chapter 61
There’s no denying that Seferin is a handsome man. I can see why he appealed to Analla so much, especially since she flocks to powerful men with dark features.
Seferin has a strong jaw, full light-pink lips, and slightly pointed ears. He appears young, yet everything about his demeanor is practiced and calm, as if he’s roamed Thelanor for many,manyyears. His youth likely has something to do with his practice of black magic.
There’s nothing but pure evil in his eyes, though. How Analla hadn’t seen such malevolence at first sight confuses me. This man is a walking xerven.
“Well, hello.” Seferin’s sharp-toothed smile makes my skin crawl. “Zaira, correct?”
I try not to react to him knowing my name and lift the dagger higher. “I know you have my sister in your dungeon, and I want her out.”
One of the guards rushes for me, but I swing the dagger and slash at his face, performing one of the moves Rynthea taught me. Blood wells and trickles down his cheek. “You bitch!” he roars, grabbing hold of my upper arm and yanking me toward him. “I’ll enjoy killing you, you little shit,” he spits in my face.
“No, no. Let her go.” Seferin’s voice is much too relaxed, considering I’ve just attacked one of his people.
I pull myself away from the guard, throwing him a grimace before focusing on Seferin again and pointing the dagger at him.
Seferin takes a step forward and tilts his head, studying my weapon. “A gift?”
“What?” I snap, mildly confused.
“That’s a dagger from The Divine, no?” He lifts a hand, and the dagger flies out of mine to land in his. He catches it by the blade’s edge, hands curling around the metal as he inspects the hilt. There’s no blood on him, despite how sharp the dagger is.
“Ah.” Seferin chuckles to himself. “Yes. I can sense his magic. This belonged toThane Valkor.”
My heart drums a faster rhythm at Thane’s name. He senses his magic? Does that mean he knows Thane is nearby? Or does he only sense it on the weapon because it was his?
“You two,” Seferin calls, not taking his eyes off of me. “Leave.”
The guards carry themselves through the corridor without hesitation. Seferin finally turns his eyes away so he can go to the double doors. He opens one of them wider.
“Come in.” He gestures inside the room. “Let’s have a chat about your darling sister…and the thing you have that I need.”
My throat dries. I swallow to moisten it.
Pulse pounding in my ears, I trudge forward and move past him to enter the room. As soon as I’m inside, though, all the air leaves my lungs because standing near the window with deeply furrowed brows is Maliek.
His arms are folded, mask up, and blue eyes narrowed. If looks could kill, I’d surely be dead—just like he’s supposed to be.
