Maxim now stands within easy striking distance of me, his features discernible in the light. “That is my full offer, Antony. What is your answer?”
How can I weigh my response when I don’t know what’s casting this powerful light?
“Why do you want it?” I ask, unable to keep the sarcasm from my voice. “Is there not enough light in your kingdom already?”
Maxim scoffs. “I would have thought you’d know.”
“Know what?”
His forehead creases. “About the darkness.”
“What darkness?” But even as I ask the question, the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
When Thyra flew into the bloodlands, she carried a darkness with her that even Galla Vividari’s starlight couldn’t overcome. It was thick enough for vampyrs to travel along. Ultimately, that darkness didn’t threaten the Iron Kingdom because Thyra seemed to pull it with her. The farther away she flew, the farther the darkness receded from the Iron Kingdom.
But another memory flashes back to me from within the haze of my vampyric frenzy. Right before I fought Stellen, the vampyr swarm that came after Thyra had rushed away, heading south toward the Ember Kingdom.
“A column of night now stretches into my land,” Maxim grinds out. “Vampyrs have already swarmed past our towers and killed my people.”
Not only his people.
Iron Towers are built near Ember Towers.
My people. My warriors. Fighters I trained.
Not just any fighters. Rohan’s younger brother, Riven, is stationed at one of those towers. After what happened to Rohan, I deliberately placed Riven as far from Galla Vividari as I could.
I lurch backward, ready to fly south, but Azul is suddenly there, soaring into the mouth of the tunnel and landing right where he blocks my path. As if the fucking bird knew I’d react this way.
“They’re already dead.” Maxim’s declaration is cold. “Of all the Iron Fae and Ember Fae who guarded those towers, only one Iron Fae survived. He’s now my prisoner.”
My whole body vibrates with rage.
There’s no point in trying to push past Azul to go see for myself. I know liars, and Maxim isn’t lying about this.
All I’ll find is dead bodies.
“Whomever you’ve taken prisoner, keep them alive and unharmed,” I snarl. “Agree to this as well as everything else you’ve already promised, and we’ll have a deal.”
“We have a deal,” Maxim says.
He strides toward me, then pauses for a moment. “For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t have harmed your warrior either way. In case this matters, he has a scar across his chin. Unusual for a highborn.”
Riven.
He cut up his face so he wouldn’t catch Galla’s eye, going to great lengths to keep the wound open and counteract his natural healing. He ensured he was left with a ropey scar she’d find repulsive.
I force my expression to remain unchanged. Not difficult since my expression is fixed in a twisted position.
“My things are hidden on the other side of that ridge,” Maxim says, pointing in that direction. “I’ll get the amulet and knife’s hilt and give them to you first so you know I won’t renege on my promises.”
I follow him to the tunnel’s mouth, keeping at a distance, both of us squeezing past Azul on opposite sides of the tunnel. The eagle ruffles his feathers and doesn’t try to make it easier for us—even though he should probably be mindful of Maxim’s fire.
As soon as Maxim slips past Azul, he breaks into a run, building up speed before he leaps from the tunnel’s mouth and toward the mountain ridge to the left of the valley.
My vision is full of bright spots, but I’m facing away from the light now, so it’s a little easier to see.
I smirk when Maxim sails powerfully across the air, only to miss landing on the nearest outcrop.
