Elle and Holly walk into the room then, both of them smiling warmly at me before they take their seats, one on each side of me.
“Good morning, everyone,” Holly says brightly. I notice Luca’s affect slightly change with the greeting, his face softening a little.
Ivan clears his throat, and the meeting officially begins. “As I was just telling Mae, we have a lot to discuss today. Of most importance is going to be the increasing number of cambions, our response to them, and how to keep you safe,” he says, glancing at me. “We also need to discuss the selection of the High King.”
I nod, expecting this because of my uncomfortable conversation with Elle the other day.
He continues, “Mae, yesterday caught us by surprise. We had been monitoring the cambions in Willa’s neighborhood. I only agreed to you having dinner there because we hadn’t seen any around there for several days. It’s my opinion that the witch who summoned them has inside knowledge of your movements,” he says gravely, his gaze lingering on each of us.
“You think someone’s feeding the witch information? Who knew I was going to Willa’s yesterday?” I ask, looking around the table.
“All of us,” Ivan says, motioning in a circle to everyone seated at the table. “Willa and the guard also knew. As far as I’m aware, that’s it.”
“The guard,” I mutter. “Could it have been him?”
He hesitates but says, “He’s been questioned extensively, and I don’t think so.”
Beside him, Luca clears his throat and says, “I find it interesting that Marik has been present for both attacks.”
I refrain from rolling my eyes at the accusation. “Marik didn’t even know we were going there,” I say, my voice firm.
“It’s my job to consider every angle,” he says tersely.
Elle drums her fingers on the table, something I’ve noticed she does when she’s deep in thought. “Is it possible that anybody else knew about the dinner?” she asks.
“I sent Willa the invite by mail. Could someone have intercepted the letter or something?” I ask.
Luca tilts his in consideration. “That’s a possibility,” he says.
“Refrain from sending any mail over the next couple of days,” Ivan tells me. “Any mail that contains sensitive information needs to be hand-delivered from now on. Understood?” he asks, looking around the table at each of us.
I nod in agreement. “Did Asmo fill you in on the osseris?” I ask, glancing at Ivan and Luca.
Holly freezes beside me while Elle slowly turns to me. “There was an osseris there?”
Ivan says, “Yes. Asmo told Luca and me about the osseris. They’re vicious creatures. Whatever witch is controlling the cambions is also likely controlling the osseris, to an extent.”
“What do you mean, ‘to an extent?’” I ask.
“They’re created by witches using dark magic. They take a piece of a soul—human, Fae, or hybrid—and use the fractured soul to create the osseris, which then allows it to have a mind of its own but still be controlled by the witch.”
“That thing was part human? Or hybrid?” I ask, my blood running cold.
Ivan nods and says, “Likely made by someone who wishes you harm. We have no idea who would want that, but I’m betting my entire salary that whoever is responsible for your father’s death was also responsible for the attack on you all last night.”
“Why are they doing this?” I ask, my voice full of dread.
Elle reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. It doesn’t comfort me.
“We don’t know,” Ivan says, his voice soft.
“My theory is that they’re trying to take down the throne,” Luca says beside Ivan, his voice grim. “Whoever it is probably didn’t realize that you would take the throne, Mae. Now, they’re trying to kill you so they can finally come to power, whoever they are.”
“What do we do?” I ask, feeling helpless. “We still don’t know who’s responsible.”
Ivan sighs deeply and says, “You need to marry. Fast.”
I sigh in frustration. “I’m sorry, I just don’t understand how my marrying helps deter people from trying to kill me.”
