But my mind turns to her words. If Oslo isn’t here, where he knows he should be, then something has happened. Possibly to him.
“Did you find him earlier?”
“No. And that’s what worries me.”
It worries me too.
“Reid said you killed a guard trying to take you,” she murmurs, voice low. “Now, Uncle is missing. Zelos is up to something. I don’t know what, but you need to be ready for anything.”
At the center, Zelos stands, drawing attention to those still lucid. Most have broken off into hidden spots for trysts. Fee and I stand straight, Reid gently pushing away his guests, one eye on us, the other on his father.
“Friends, allies. We gather to witness a dawning of a new age.” He raises his glass, body covered in golden glitter and rogue teeth marks. “We have drawn our agreements—the Fae kingdoms are united in this! Soon, my son will return with the information we seek about the Lone Human King and wewill attack. But first.” He stops, staring at us. Reid slowly stands, shirt undone, leather pants low on his hips, swerving through the Fae to come closer.
“I promised a demonstration of the weapon I have procured.” He practically oozes sinister delight.
My lungs stop working, anxiety and fear exploding in my gut.
Me. He’s going to show them what I am. I can’t breathe, and suddenly, the room is too hot, suffocating me as my feet stick to the tile.
Fee’s hand clamps on to my wrist as if she can physically restrain me. Reid makes it to my side, kind amber eyes glaring at his father. It’s the first time I’ve seen such disdain from the younger royal.
“You can’t,” she whispers, harsh words stirring my hair. “If you try to pull your powers, you’ll fail.”
“She has to, Fee,” Reid argues, looking to his sister than me. “If she doesn’t, Zelos will take it as an excuse for disobedience.”
The word shakes the princess and I frown. Seeing the strong female falter spurs me into action.
“I have an idea.” It’s a long-shot, but it’s better than nothing. I take my dagger, slicing my palm, the smell of fresh blood and the tantalizing feel of it on my fingers, stirring something within me.
My magic.It rises like a wave, ready to take.
“You’re going to use your own blood?” Fee’s nose wrinkles.
“Will it work?” Reid asks, worried.
The crowd starts to part as Zelos calls me forward, a devilish feline smirk gracing his lips. “It has to.”
It must. If it doesn’t, the entire room will turn into a frenzy from rage and alcohol, and I’ll be thrown back into the dungeon—or worse.
Slowly, I hold my bleeding hand to my chest, weaving through the lords. They inhale, scenting me, my fear, my blood, but I focus on keeping my steps steady. Physically, I look fine, but my lungs burn. There isn’t enough air to breath and there is no Kaden to buffer me from the king.
My other hand holds my dagger tighter.
“I sent my son into the Human realm, to the Lone Human King’s palace, in search of a weapon, to destroy his force.” His eyes fall to me as I stumble to his side. Nauseatingly, he smells like sweet fire peonies and musk. “A weapon that will give our kind the freedom, we so desire. No,deserve. That’s where he met Maximillia.”
He turns, circling me like a predator to prey. The hair on the back of my neck rises, my magic thrashing against my poor control to defend. “A small thing, unassuming, but the holder of the greatest magic our world has ever seen. Take note of her lips—a trait only one Coven is known to possess.”
Murmurs sound around us, picking up speed and intensity. The crowd sees my red lips and knows it’s a Blut Coven trait.
Standing straighter, I feel their scrutiny turn harder, deeper. They’re peeling back the layers, gauging my power, my worth. It’s the same feeling as the Coven elders judging me to be in their village. I will not bow to it.
“I give to you, the last blood summoner of our continent.” His smile turns edged, dark and wicked. “Our greatest weapon.”
Clapping his hands, he stops behind me. Two guards come forward, neither of them in armor, but simple leathers, a sword on their hips. They’re faces are devoid of emotion, simple statues, looking to their master, awaiting commands.
It’s unnerving how listless they seem.
“Now, the demonstration.” Leaning close, his lips brush my ear and I shudder, revolted at the intimate touch. “Control them, my dear. Show them what you can do.”
