His eyes flickered, and his shoulders sagged. He almost seemed disappointed. Had he hoped I’d back down and scurry out of here with my tail between my legs? That only made me want to show him up even more. Not only would I survive these vaults, I’d do so in recordtime.
Unless the Sluagh ate me, ofcourse...
As soon as he cracked the door and called for his guards, new unease roiled through me. Why, oh why, did it have to be theSluagh?
Anything else. Vampires, werewolves, sorcerers with insane spell-casting abilities. Hell, even fae, like this one. The Sluagh were the one thing I feared more than anything else. Except for those nightmarish figures in my mind, figures I’d tried so hard to blockout.
Oh, and that bloody prophecy I’d gotten decades before. The one that spoke of mydoom.
“You’re looking kind of pale.” Amusement shone in Lugh’s dark eyes. “Not cut out for thejob?”
“Maybe if you doubt my skills, you should fight me yourself,” I shotback.
A thrill went through me when he crossed the room. My chest constricted as I was forced to drop back my head to meet his eyes. Somehow, the distance between us had vanished. Only a single sheet of paper could fit between our bodies, and I could practically feel the beat of his heart syncing up with mine, and syncing with my steel. His magic curled up my neck, sliding against the delicate skin beneath myear.
I refused to shudder, even though my body begged to shake. I wouldn’t let him see that kind ofresponse.
“That is awfully tempting,” he said in a low growl that sent skitters of hot magic down my spine. For a moment, I held my breath, half hoping he’d volunteer to fight me and half dreading he’d make thatcall.
The door pushed open, and several fae spilled into the room. The power pulsing between us snapped away. Lugh, smirking, stepped back and turned toward his subjects. One was the purple-eyed door greeter, Saoirse. Two more I’d noticed standing solemnly in the back corner of the Great Hall, a female and a male, both with fiery hair. They were clad in all black with swords strapped to their backs. Warriors, nodoubt.
Lugh zeroed his attention in on Saoirse. “Well?”
She gave a quick shake of her head. Lugh frowned, and thentsked.
What the hell did thatmean?
He turned to me, eyes flashing. That blood-curdling magic shot through my veins once again. “Very well then. Moira, it’s time for yourtrial.”
4
The vaults were dark,dreary, and creepy as hell. I’d been given a tiny headlamp and one instruction. Make it through the maze of tunnels and reach the exit two hundred metres to the east. Easy peasy. No bigdeal.
I cast a glance over my shoulder at the cluster of fae watching me. Saoirse looked alarmed. The two ginger warriors looked smug. And Lugh? His expression screamed boredom. Not for the first time, I asked myself why I hadn’t just stabbed him with my sword when I’d had thechance.
He saw me watching him, and his voice dripped with derision. “Last chance to back out. If you don’t have the courage, speak upnow.”
I prickled at his words. This male was such a tosser. How he’d managed to worm his way into being the Master of a House was beyond me, let alone been given the title ofKing.
“Oh, I’m not bloody backing down now,” I shot back. “Tell me though, Lugh, you ever fought dozens of Sluaghyourself?”
Saoirse shifted on her feet uncomfortably, and the warriors settled their hands on the hilts of their swords. But the bored expression on Lugh’s face neverwavered.
“Doubting your future King’s abilities?” hesneered.
“Well, I don’t know much about you, do I?” I shrugged. “Maybe you’re skilled in something like gardening, and you’ve never seen combatyourself.”
His eyes flickered. “What a unique skill you’ve chosen to point out. I know there is a fae in the Morrigan’s court who has a way with plant life. But there would be no way for you to know that, wouldthere?”
Our gazes locked. Was he trying to imply something? Was he suspicious of my motives? If he was, why would he give me the chance to join his Court ofWraiths?
“Like I said. I did myresearch.”
He stepped closer, ducking his head beneath the low stone doorway that led into the vaults. As he came closer, so did his magic. It wrapped around me like a too-tight hug, squeezing the air out of my lungs. “Yes, I can see that you are a fae who likes to be prepared. Is that why you’re stallingnow?”
“I’m not stalling,” I hissed at him. “I just want to know who youare.”
He dropped his face closer to mine and growled into my ear. “I am Lugh, King of the Court of Wraiths. And if you wish to become my subject, you must learn when to stop questioningme.”
