My heart clenched as two cultists dragged Lord Lucien out of the woods. He was bound in iron, as I was, and looking grave. His face was marred with bruises, blood dripping from the wounds.
“Leave him alone,” I said, voice rising. “He doesn’t have any part in this.”
“We all have a part to play tonight,” Lady Korva replied. “His is to make sure you don’t run off.”
My throat tightened. They’d captured Lord Lucien to be sure I’d comply. Even if I had the strength to run, I would stay, because I didn’t want them to hurt my dad.
“Everything will be all right, Emma,” Lucien told me. “Just stay calm.”
I didn’t know how he wasn’t losing his mind at a time like this. A horrid laugh came from the woods. “You are a hopeless optimist.”
Acolyte Vesper came waltzing out of the forest, looking rather pleased with himself. Disgust welled within me.
“Fuck off, Vesper.” I spat at his feet.
He jumped aside and wrinkled his nose. “I thought a queen was supposed to have manners.”
“She is no queen.”
Gabby emerged from the shadows, red cloak sweeping around her, face set on malicious intent. The sight of her caused every rotten emotion I’d ever felt to well up inside of me. This bitch had caused me so much suffering, so much pain. I wished I had killed her on the rooftop of Arcanea University months ago. I was no longer scared. I was fuckingpissed.
“Didn’t know you’d bother yourself to come down and finish the job,” I shot at her. “Figured you’d make one of your cronies do it.”
“I have to perform the ceremony. I am the mate of the Hidden King, and Droga’s patron. I am the only one who can accomplish the task,” Gabby replied shortly, as if she was eager to get on with it.
Gabby was paler than I remembered. She winced as she approached me, and was slow to walk forward. She cringed as she began anointing the grave with oil.
Her labor had taken a lot out of her. I wasn’t the only one who wasn’t at the top of my game.
“Where’s your baby?” I demanded. “Or did you sacrifice her to Droga, too?”
Gabby spun around so fast I was surprised she didn’t break her neck. “Leave my child out of this. She is the only part of Eli I have left.”
Gabby drew herself up. “But not after tonight. After so long apart, my love and I will finally be reunited.”
My jaw dropped open. Did Gabby intend to resurrect Elijah, to bring him back from the Underworld? She was crazy.
“This is a mistake,” I insisted. “Elijah is dead.”
“He is not dead, just in another place, oneyousent him to!” she raged. “Once I resurrect Droga, he will bring my beloved back to life.”
“You can’t! Gabby, this iswrong.”
“Do not judge me,” she sneered. “You would do the same, if you were in my position.”
“I wouldn’t force Ethan to return to a world that—”
“You have no idea what I’ve been through!” Gabby’s voice rose, screeching across the forest. “You cannot comprehend the devastation I have felt, carrying a child whose father no longer roams this earth!”
The grief in her voice was nearly enough to make me feelsorryfor her. The loss of Elijah had driven her half mad, and seeing as how she’d been nuts already before all this happened, now she was full-on insane.
“Gabriella, please,” Lady Korva pleaded, as if to calm her.
Gabby’s eyes flared. “Just keep your mouth shut, Sosna. Before I find a way to silence you.”
I gave a cruel laugh. “Go ahead and break my other knee.”
“I just might.” Gabby narrowed her eyes. “It’s funny that it takes you, your mate and all your friends to outwit me, and you still lose.”
