Not only had they punished Ronin for followingtheirorders, she had a sneaking suspicion that they’d been hiding things from her as well. That they, and Skanisse, knew far more about Otto’s plans than they’d revealed. Had knownexactlywhat Mireille was and had put her squarely in Otto’s crosshairs.
Layla continued. “Whatever Otto’s got planned for tomorrow?—”
“He wants me to perform the final solo fromThe Curse of Faurana,” Mireille cut in. “As a dishonor to the High Goddess to appease Adelphinae. I don’t think he means to kill me at the end of it, like he did the diva.”
“You don’tthink?” Ronin growled.
“He wants me to join him.”
Ronin’s face paled. “What thefuck? You didn’t say yes, did you?”
“Of course I did. Let him think what he wants.” Mireille approached the roots, surveyed the stones. Close up, she could see a faint, rainbow shimmer running through them, small, nearly microscopic particles.
Was that really all a soul was comprised of?
“Do you remember a Beastrunner female named Larissa Bisere?” Mireille asked.
Layla cocked her head. “Coyote bi-form?” Mireille nodded. “Yes. She was one of Otto’s most eager guests. She asked so many questions, about herself and her heritage. I liked her; she was spunky. I almost tried to save her, but she was so desperate for Otto’s offerings that I’m not sure she would have believed me even if I’d tried to talk her out of it.”
“Was Otto able to restore her fire?” Mireille asked.
“He’s never even tried,” Layla whispered. “He kills them before they even get the chance.”
“Which one of these stones belongs to her?”
“Why?”
“Because her brother deserves a chance to say goodbye,” Mireille answered. Ronin squeezed her shoulder.
Layla pointed to the center crevice.
“How do you know which stones belong to which slain guests?” Ronin asked.
“Because I bore witness to each of their deaths.” Layla squared her shoulders, pain and regret passing over her beautiful features. “It was the least I could do.”
“What does he do with their ashes?” Ronin whispered.
“He uses them to fertilize his rosebushes.” Layla sneered. “Bone meal is full of nutrients. The traces of anastasium are what gives those roses their pale blue color.” She plucked up Larissa’s stone and handed it to Mireille.
“Why give this to me now?” Mireille slipped the cool stone into her pocket. “Won’t Otto realize it’s missing tomorrow?”
“We’ll just have to make sure he’s too distracted to notice.” Layla’s grin was savage. Deadly.
“Follow me.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Layla led them out of the chamber and into the white stone hallway.
Ronin had no idea what to make of everything the female had shared, so he focused on a single goal.
Survive tomorrow. And ensure that Mireille did as well.
Layla took a forked path that led into another chamber filled with tables and racks of weapons—swords, maces, hammers, and an entire wall of axes in different shapes and sizes.
A devilish glint shone in Layla’s espresso eyes. “Take your pick.”
Mireille and Ronin shared a mischievous grin, then bounded into the room.
