Page 16 of Hunger & Harmony

“An infiltrator, huh? Who sent you? The Midnight Court? The Crimson Veil?”

“The who? What?” I stammer.

“Wait . . .Don’t tell me you’re a Hunter,” he whispers, like the word alone shatters his heart.

“N-No! Ez, please, I . . .I messed up, but I’m serious. I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“Only Hunters have developed wards for the siren magic in a pureblood’s voice.” His eyes narrow. “Come to think of it, what other explanation would be feasible?”

Tears well up in my eyes, and I mourn both my mascara and my own life as I sob.

“Ez . . .I’m sorry, I just . . .I got my best friend to forge my application and get me in because I’m tired of my parents controlling me! This was the best situation away from my hometown! I don’t even know what you’re talking about, I swear on my life!”

His anger wavers, eyes softening just a touch.

“I want to believe you, Cadence,” he says. “We just started this tour, and having someone to bother Ryel and His Majesty is great.” His hand remains. “But how can I trust that?”

“I’ll prove it to you,” I promise, even if I don’t have a single clue how.

Behind his fury is clear hesitation. Hurt, even. Mixed emotions swirl in his eyes, and really, it’s like he’s not even looking at me anymore.

“Ezren Black.”

Selene’s voice sends a cold shiver down my spine. I give Ezren a pleading look before he glances back at her in the doorway.

“Selene,” he says, not budging. “Your amulet. Mendax.”

Despite the sudden demand, not a whisper of shock or even curiosity changes her body language. She approaches like every other time, measured and intimidating.

“I haven’t used it in so long,” she says.

“The king’s right-hand would never not have it, right?”

Her reply is pulling a necklace out from under her billowy shirt. It’s a small vial of a liquid so dark, it shadows black itself. The cap is made of smooth metalwork and hangs from a simple silver chain. Despite a forgettable appearance, power radiates from it as she loops the amulet off of her and holds it up.

“What happened?” she asks, questioning the situation for the first time.

“I lied!” I shriek, and Ezren reinforces his hold on me.

“She claims escaping her parents is the only reason she lied to get this job. That just doesn’t make sense,” he says. “What does make sense is her lying.”

“You suspect she’s a spy,” Selene says, filling in the blanks.

“I’m not,” I say, shaking my head as best I can. “I promise!”

Her ice-blue stare pins me harder than Ezren, pulling me apart and examining every part of me.

“Do we call off tonight?” she asks him.

“Not until we confirm,” Ezren says, nodding to her necklace.

Call off the show? With the whole venue already waiting, that’d be a PR nightmare. The weight of this accusation hits me full force.

“Only one way to find out.”

Selene draws the amulet closer to me. I tremble, too petrified to even pray.

“Are you a spy sent to harm King Niklaus Vane?”