Wondering what I was going to do about this emerging Hugo problem, I headed upstairs.
***
Once I reached the sanctuary of my bedchamber, I was taken aback to see a single cream envelope lying on the floor. As if someone had slid it under the door.
Odd. Tarben’s notes typically came with my breakfast tray and they didn’t look like this.
Curiosity piqued, I tore open the envelope and unfolded the note that was tucked inside.
In the central crest of the parchment lay an unfamiliar symbol—two symmetrical circles stacked vertically with three long lines cutting through them.
But it was not the symbol that made my stomach plummet for the second time that day. It was the words written in bold handwriting.
I know what you are, and the lies that you weave.
Remain at the castle, or else more will grieve.
Your secret is safe, just do as I say.
If you flee, your fair prince I will slay.
Chapter 20
I read the note over and over again, until the letters blurred into nonsensical lines and dots.
My hands shook furiously and the room spun while I stood tethered to the parchment in my hands, trying to make sense of it.
Someone claimed to know what I was, and was using that knowledge to coerce me into remaining at the castle. And if I did not, they threatened to kill Tarben.
‘Your fair prince I will slay.’
Feverishly, I scanned the note for any indication of who could have written it, but there were no clues.
‘Remain at the castle, or else more will grieve.’
More.Did that mean it came from Lord Hywell’s murderer?
It was a possibility. A possibility that made my scalp prickle. I felt sullied from clutching something that might have been penned by a cold-blooded killer.
Once I had committed the words to memory, I tossed the wretched thing in the fire and watched it burn.
I paced the room as I attempted to puzzle through the predicament I found myself in.
How could I have been discovered? I took every precaution to blend in with the mortals. I hadn’t used my powers in front of anyone, aside from that tiny incident in the tavern. But I’d madeit look like Magnus had knocked over that ale. And the only ones who could have witnessed it were Tarben and Magnus.
Could the note have come from one of them?
Tarben? Impossible.
Magnus? Unlikely, but not impossible. Yet, vexing as he may be, I couldn’t imagine Magnus murdering anyone, or threatening to murder his oldest friend.
The pounding returned to my head with a vengeance. Massaging my temples, I filled my lungs with deep, deliberate breaths.
This was the last thing I needed, especially after my unpleasant run in with Tarben’s vile brother.
Collapsing onto my bed, I cradled a pillow against my chest. I needed to be calm and remember the facts.
Someone potentially knew I was Mer. However, that didn’t mean they knew why I was here. In fact, it was nearly impossible that they did.Unlessthis note came from the Crow. But what did she have to gain from me remaining at the castle? Also, if she truly wanted to keep me here, why only grant me until the full moon to complete my task? It made no sense.
