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MORE MISERABLE THAN she’d ever felt in her life, Jade trudged along a narrow, dark tunnel to Ravena’s dungeon, ignoring the guards when they told her to hurry. What was the use? Seeing Kyria’s father’s lifeless body made her realize her parents were not escaping this island alive. Neither was she. Why had she given into her cowardice and betrayed Kyria? Now her best friend was lost to her, and she had no one.
Her fear grew the closer she got to the watery cavern where the dragons swam. Had Ravena no more use for her? Was she going to use her as dragon food? Her death would be painful, but she prayed it would be quick.
Ravena was sitting on the shore, watching the morning sunrise, her dragons snoring beside her, their scaly, midnight blue sides rapidly rising and falling, steam billowing from their wide nostrils.
She abruptly stopped when one of the venomous serpents cracked open an eye. A guard shoved her forward, and she nearly tumbled down the incline. When she reached Ravena, her breath came in hard, fast bursts, and she wondered if she’d pass out from the agony of her heart pounding against her ribs.
The mage gave her a curious look, like a cat contemplating pouncing on a mouse. “You failed to give me proof.”
“Ravena,” Jade pleaded, hands in a prayer pose, “I’ve done all you asked of me. I betrayed my best friend. She wants nothing more to do with me.” She paused to take a breath, summoning the courage to be brave. “Now hold up your end of the bargain and release my parents!” Surprising herself with a sudden swell of courage, she shook a fist at the mage.
“Oh, dear.” The mage flashed a mock pout. “Haven’t you heard?”
Burning bile raced up her throat. “Heard what?” But she already suspected the worst.
“Your mother suffocated your father and then she poisoned herself,” Ravena said, taunting her with a fanged grin. “Someone gave her life water.”
That’s why her mother had stolen the vial from her, to end their lives and free Jade from her servitude. But it was too late. She was already caught in the dragon’s lair, and there was no escape.
A cry escaped from her lips and her knees buckled. “Where are they?”
“I have already given them a burial at sea, dearest. You wouldn’t have wanted to see them. They started decomposing the minute they passed.” She heaved an overly-dramatic sigh. “It’s a shame, for I was about to uphold my end of the bargain and release them.”
Jade fought the urge to launch at the mage and claw her eyes out. It would do no good. She’d already witnessed the bitch’s power, but she wanted to hurt Ravena the way she’d hurt her, to shatter her heart in a million tiny shards. If only.
She looked at her useless human hands, tears rolling down her face. “Then I have nothing left to live for.”
The mage went to her and knelt by her side. “You have yourself to live for, dearest.”
“No.” Jade vehemently shook her head. “I won’t be your pawn anymore.”
“Yesss,” the creature hissed, her fangs extending.
Jade tried to back away from the mage’s rancid breath that fogged her eyes and burned her lungs. “I should’ve never betrayed my best friend. You always meant to kill me anyway.”
Ravena stroked Jade’s neck with a long talon, scraping her collarbone until she drew blood. She sucked it off the tip of her nail, then made a face. “You’re too pretty to kill, and I have more use of you.”
* * *
THE FUNERAL FOR KYRIA’S father was brief. She barely remembered Alexi’s speech or her mother’s sobs. What she did remember was her brother refusing to look at her through the ceremony and the way the Fae unceremoniously dumped Edwardi’s body back into the sea, as if they were throwing table scraps to the hogs.
Genevieve didn’t make an appearance. She probably didn’t want others to see the guilt on her face or maybe she just didn’t care enough to honor her evening meal. She thought it odd how the few Fae in attendance shielded their eyes from the sun’s morning rays, acting as if hell’s fires were raining down on them. Many of them opened black parasols to shield their painted faces. She and Quin shared confused looks. The sun was barely shining.
After the ceremony, Sylvia ushered them back to Kyria’s chamber. “It’s time,” she said. “Your grandfather has readied the ships.”
“You’re holding something back. What is it?” she asked.
“Alexi isn’t going.” Sylvia grimaced. “The king is sending your mother in his stead.”
“What?” She couldn’t leave her brother behind. She wouldn’t.
“He will be sending soldiers for Quin.” She tossed a quick glance over her shoulder. “He is to accompany them.”
Quin pulled Kyria close. “I’m not leaving without Kyria.”
“You will accompany Marcello and Evander,” Sylvia said sternly. “Kyria and I will meet you at our rendezvous point on the eastern shore after we free the slaves.”
Kyria didn’t like the idea of leaving Quin— not because she feared for her own safety but for his. After losing her father, she couldn’t lose him, too.
“The two of you are freeing the slaves by yourselves?” Quin asked in a heated whisper.
Sylvia looked away just long enough to know she was withholding something else. “We will have other Eldr helping us.”
“But not enough,” Kyria said.
“No.” Her narrow shoulders fell. “If there are too many guards, we must leave without the slaves.”
“No way in hell,” Kyria spoke through clenched teeth.
“Your Highness,” Sylvia said, “Ravena might be there, and we can’t risk her hurting you.”
Magic crackled in her hands. “I dare her to try.”
“Kyria and I are not separating,” Quin repeated.
Sylvia turned pleading eyes on them both. “The king will suspect something if you don’t go.”
“What about Alexi?” Kyria asked.
They were testing Sylvia’s patience, but she couldn’t imagine leaving the island without her brother, even if he was the world’s biggest idiot.
“I’m sorry, but our priority is getting you on that ship.” Tension lines drew down the Fae’s eyes and mouth, and for a moment, she looked far older than her youthful façade. “We can’t save him.”
Panic threatened to make Kyria’s heart beat out of her chest. “They will kill him if we leave him here.”
“Your Highness,” she said, her voice turning darker. “We have a small window of time. If we delay, we won’t have time to free the slaves.”
And there it was. Her ultimatum. If she left Alexi behind, he’d never forgive her. Perhaps he’d become her enemy or Talon would kill him. But if she had to make a choice, she would pick the slaves. Being that he was Talon’s pet, her brother had a better chance of surviving than they did.
The shadow that passed across the balcony was their only warning. Quin unsheathed his sword when the creature landed on all fours in front of them. Kyria initially mistook it for a wild animal but then she realized it was a person, grotesquely naked with a bald head, sallow, gray skin, shriveled breasts, and protruding ribs.
Sylvia stepped forward, clutching a curved blade. “Get out of here, Genevieve.”
Genevieve! That thing was a Fae? She noticed the thin trace of purple on her lips.
“Traitorous bitch!” Genevieve roared, her hands curled into claws. “I should’ve let Talon lock you up! Fool that I was for protecting my brother’s bastard.”
“I never asked for your favors, dear auntie,” Sylvia sneered.
Kyria’s mind reeled. Genevieve was Sylvia’s aunt? It shouldn’t have come as a surprise, since all second-bloods were directly related to first-bloods, but this meant Sylvia was Kyria’s distant cousin. The creature lurched toward Sylvia, slapping her so hard, she flew across the room, smacking into the wall.
Kyria fought the urge to go check on her. It would have to wait until after she dealt with Genevieve. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
The creature flashed her fangs, which appeared longer than before. “I just got word my darling human is leaving us, and I came to say goodbye.” She licked her lips, her gaze darting to Quin.
“Stay away from him.” She felt like someone else was speaking through her when her voice took on a dark, ominous tone foreign to her ears.
Genevieve hissed again, her rancid breath fogging the room. “As if you could stop me, weakling third-blood.”
“Stand back,” Quin said, trying to shield her with his broad back.
She side-stepped him as magic flooded her fingers. “Don’t worry, my love,” she said with a wink. “I can handle her.”
Genevieve let out a laugh that sounded like an animal in heat.
“Tell me, Genevieve,” she said, slowly circling the creature, “why was your purple lipstick on my father’s neck?”
“Why do you think?” She flashed a triumphant smile, revealing white gums and decaying teeth. “I drained him and threw him over the balcony, just as I shall do with your human pet. I will kill you, too, if you don’t get out of my way.”
Energy pulsed through her, so strong she could visualize it—a sea of white magic at her fingertips, waiting to be unleashed. “You think so?”
“I know so.” Still in a crouch, she followed Kyria’s movements, her skeletal fingers dragging on the floor. “I didn’t want to drain your father, but Talon made me do it. He tasted like old, weak human, and my appetite is not sated.” She stuck out a pale tongue. “Only a strong warrior will do.” Her sharp fangs lengthened even more as she let out an eerie howl that made Kyria’s blood turn cold.
Though she hadn’t yet learned a killing spell, she felt the thickening of her white magic and instinctively knew what to do. Just as Genevieve jumped into the air with an unholy screech, Kyria let out a battle cry of her own and unleashed a stream of energy. It flew at the vampyre like a falling comet, encircling her in a glowing ball of white. The creature screamed and fell to the floor, writhing, an agonized look twisting her already grotesque features. She swelled like a drinking bladder full of water, her ribs and face protruding as white shards of light penetrated her skin, creating smoking holes that bubbled and boiled. The creature let out a terrified scream and popped like a bubble, black tar splattering everywhere.
Kyria looked down at her throbbing fingers, amazed at what had just come out of them. She stared in stunned silence at the mess that had once been Genevieve. Parts of her body were still intact; half of her face stared blankly at the ceiling, melting into a pool of black ooze.
A wave of relief overcame her when she realized what she’d done. She hadn’t just avenged her father’s murder, she’d destroyed a vampyre using magic. White magic! She only had ninety-three others to kill.
Her relief was short-lived, replaced by overwhelming sadness and despair at the loss of her father. She hadn’t had time to grieve him properly, and she doubted she’d be able to anytime soon.
“Great goddess, you are a white witch, just like Kyan.” Sylvia crawled to her, blood dripping from her nose, then sat up on her knees in a worshipful pose, tears streaming down her face. “We are saved!”
Kyria looked from her to Quin, who was beaming at her, pride in his eyes. Quin morphed into two men, then one, then two again. The room spun like she was in a whirlwind, and she fell back with a gasp, thankful when strong arms caught her.
“Kyria?” Brow furrowed, Quin held her. “Are you okay?”
“I-I don’t know. I feel dizzy.” Someone banged loudly on the door. “Tell them to go away,” she mumbled, too tired to fight another battle.
“Kyria!” Alexi called. “Are you okay?”
She sat up and leaned against Quin.
Sylvia held a goblet to her lips. “Drink. It will give you energy.” She then handed her cheese and slices of fruit. Kyria took a few bites.
“Kyria!” Alexi continued to knock. “Open up before I break down the door.”
“Let him in, but no one else,” Quin said.
Inhaling a deep breath, Kyria felt a spark of magic stir in her bosom. If she had to, she could battle others.
Sylvia cracked open the door, and Alexi slipped inside. She slammed it on a guard who tried to come in.
Brow furrowed, Alexi knelt beside her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she said, perturbed by the concern in his eyes. Since when did he care about anything other than fucking the servants? “What are you doing here?”
“I heard you cry out.” He wiped moisture from his eyes. Had he been crying?
She remembered the war cry she’d let out before attacking Genevieve and realized she must have also cried out in her mind. Had her subconscious called to her twin? She was suddenly grateful he’d responded. She’d begun to think he no longer cared. Perhaps their father’s death had woken him from his trance.
“What happened?” He noticed the pile of goo that was once Genevieve. “Great goddess! What is that thing?”
Taking Quin’s hand, she slowly stood. “You don’t recognize dear Cousin Genevieve?”
He gaped at her with horror. “That can’t be her.”
“It is.” She thanked Quin when he helped her to a chair. “They’re all demons, Alexi, even our grandfather.”
He stumbled back, looking as if she’d struck him in the heart with a spear. “No.”
“Alexi,” she said in her new deep voice. “Look at me.” His vulnerability reminded her of the little boy she’d once known. “Genevieve tried to kill Quin. She killed our father on Talon’s orders.”
He clutched his chest. “Grandfather wouldn’t do that to me.”
Quin let out a startling roar of anger. “By the goddess, Alexi, you’re a thick-headed fool. How is it that you were once a defender when the only sword you wield is your cock?”
He flushed and looked as if he might strike him.
“Please open your eyes,” she pleaded. “The Fae are not what they seem.”
“Then what are they?” he asked.
“Vampyres,” Sylvia said flatly. “Centuries of drinking life water turned them into creatures that subsist on human blood.”
“I think I’m going to be sick.” Alexi leaned over, clutching his knees.
“We don’t have time for you to go soft on us, Alexi,” Quin said in disgust.
“We have to go before they find her body,” Sylvia said.
“I’ll take care of it.” Feeling her strength return, Kyria stood, recalling a spell she’d read channeling wind. She remembered Kheelan and Willow telling her strong mages didn’t need to memorize spells. She visualized a powerful storm and aimed her magic at Genevieve’s remains. Wind blew from her palms so fast, she was knocked against Quin. The black goo blew out and over the side of the balcony.
Alexi let out a low whistle. “How did you do that?”
“I’m a mage.” She gave him a hard stare, watching for any cracks in his features, fearing he’d betray her and alert the guards. “And when Talon and Ravena find out, they will try to kill me."
“Why do you say that?”
“Because they have already murdered three of his children,” Sylvia answered.
His gaze shot to Sylvia, then back to her with new resolve. “They will have to get through me to harm you.”
Quin chuckled, slapping his back. “It’s about damn time you woke the fuck up.”
Alexi hung his head. “I’m sorry it’s taken me this long.”
Someone knocked on the door. Had the guards heard what happened?
Quin glared at Alexi. “Don’t open it.”
The knock came again. “Your Highness,” a guard called. “Please open up.”
“We can’t stay here forever,” Sylvia said, hoisting her dagger. “We must fight our way out.”
“It might not come to that.” Alexi crossed to the door. “I doubt they heard anything through these thick walls.”
When he opened it, four tall, buff Fae guards stepped over the threshold. None of them held swords, which was a good thing.
A guard stepped forward. He was taller than the rest, with sandy hair and freckles. “We have come for the human Quin. King Phoenixfire says he must depart with the ships.”
Kyria’s relief that they obviously hadn’t heard the battle was short-lived. She would not let them take him from her.
Quin said, “I’m not leaving Kyria.”
The freckled guard smirked. “The king said to take you by force if you refused to cooperate.”
“There has been a change of plans.” Alexi moved to stand between them. “Please tell my grandfather I have need of Quin here. I’m sure he will understand.”
“I’m sorry, but our orders are—”
“I don’t give a damn about your orders!” Alexi hollered. “The plans have changed. If you wish to take him, you must go through me.”
“My grandfather will not be understanding if my brother comes to any harm,” Kyria added.
“Very well. We will tell him of your plans,” the guard said disrespectfully.
Kyria wondered why all second-bloods had not aligned with the Eldr. They had to have known what the Hundred were. Then again, perhaps they didn’t wish to turn against their fathers, or maybe they were also bewitched by Allura potion.
Alexi waved them off, though Kyria picked up on the subtle tremble in his hands. “You do that.”
After the guards left, Sylvia slammed the door. “We need to meet the ships at the rendezvous point.”
Alexi rubbed his chin. “Grandfather may delay now.”
“He won’t.” She flashed the faintest of smiles. “He has timed the delivery of the weapons down to the minute. We must hurry.”
* * *
HOLDING TIGHTLY TO Quin’s hand, Kyria followed Alexi and Sylvia through a winding maze of tunnels. They moved at a brutal pace, and her legs ached with each step, but she dared not complain. As soon as they were somewhere safe, she’d have time to heal. Her breath caught when two guards met them at the end of the tunnel. Magic tickled her palms as she prepared to blast them.
“You’re late,” one of them, a big, burly man with one green and one blue eye, said, holding a ring of keys.
“We were held up, Jon,” Sylvia answered.
Jon gave Alexi a long, cool look. “He’s with us now?”
Kyria protectively grasped his arm. “He is.”
Alexi looked at Jon defiantly. “I didn’t recognize what the Fae were, but I see clearly now.”
“Good. We must hurry.”
She was relieved the guards were with the Eldr, but they weren’t in the clear yet.
They crept through more halls until they came to a low, dark archway. A guard took the keys from Jon and went ahead, motioning for them to wait. Two second-blood soldiers were lying on the slate floor, throats cut, lifeless eyes staring at nothing.
Sylvia must have sensed her unease. “They would’ve alerted Ravena.”
“Why would they tell? Don’t they see what the first-bloods have become?”
“Many second-bloods have the delusion they will one day be given equal power.”
Jon let out a bitter laugh. “They’re too cowardly to sign the pact.”
When Kyria gave Sylvia a questioning look, she said, “An agreement that we will kill one another should our blood turn black.”
“When will that be?” she asked, worrying that she’d lose her new friends too soon.
“Hopefully not for a long time,” Sylvia answered. “The second-bloods are only given sparse rations of life water.”
Kyria remembered Jade telling her life water was only for the wealthy and the soldiers. Then she’d learned that life water no longer worked on first-bloods. Perhaps it was a good thing the second-blood soldiers rationed it.
The guard returned, whistling the all-clear and waving them forward. After shutting another heavy door behind them, Jon lit a lantern, revealing a long, winding row of dark, dank cells. Prisoners stuck dirty hands through the bars, begging for food and water. Many of them sounded like young children.
Kyria’s heart ached when she saw a familiar pair of wide, dark eyes blinking at her behind a row of bars. “Lea!” she cried, then cringed when Jon gave her a sharp look and placed a finger over his lips. “Please release her,” she begged.
He took the keys from the other guard and opened her door, then proceeded to open the rest of the cells.
Kyria grabbed Lea in a fierce hug. “Lea, my darling child,” she said, stroking her hair. Her arms were covered with bumps and bloody scabs.
To her surprise, the girl pulled away, hissing at her like a feral cat. “You abandoned me!”
Jon hurried to them, a murderous look in his eyes. “Quiet the girl before she gives us away!”
When Lea shrieked and clawed the air, Jon pulled out his sword. “Last warning,” he said. “I can’t let her jeopardize all of us.”
Green magic raced into her palms and spread outward. “Calm yourself,” she said to Jon, her voice surprisingly deep and soothing as green smoke wrapped around his head.
His eyes glazed, and he sheathed his sword. Kyria didn’t know how she’d manifested the spell. It was one she hadn’t yet practiced, but somehow she’d known what to do.
A deep, dark chasm opened up in her soul when she turned back to Lea. The child had crawled to the corner of the cell, looking like a frightened, injured animal.
“Lea, I’m sorry I let you down.” Slowly raising her hands, she stemmed the flow of her green magic, letting it trickle out and snake its way toward the child. “The people I trusted to save us have betrayed us both. I know I don’t deserve it, but I’m asking you to trust me one more time. I swear I will do whatever it takes to help you escape this hell.”
The girl hissed again, raising her hands as if to fight, trying to swat the green tendrils of smoke away. When the magic finally reached her, wrapping around her chest, Lea went still. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed on a pile of hay.
Alexi scooped up the sleeping girl in his arms and joined Sylvia, the other Fae, and about a dozen slave girls, some as young as Lea and others that looked to be Kyria’s age. “Your magic is stronger than any mage,” he whispered to her.
She was too choked up to speak. It wasn’t strong enough to earn Lea’s trust, not that she blamed the girl. She could only imagine the hell she’d endured. One more reason Ravena and Talon must be destroyed.
* * *
FROM THE BALCONY FACING the north shore, Talon watched the second-blood army load their vessels. Unlike the eastern side of the island, the north shore had a cove that was shielded from harsh winds and strong waves. Two dozen ships, carrying a thousand second-blood soldiers, were ready to launch. This was his most massive offensive against King Milas, and it had been a long time coming, payback for ousting the Fae fifty years ago, after Talon had made a simple request: a yearly quota of human sacrifices in exchange for a wealth of jewels. Talon thought he’d been quite generous. Instead, the human king’s mage had slaughtered six of his closest first-blood advisors. She would’ve killed more if Talon hadn’t made a hasty retreat.
This time Talon’s army would not retreat. They unknowingly carried the weapons that would take care of King Milas, his mage, and the Eldr. The secret society of second-bloods thought he didn’t know about their plans to overthrow the Hundred. Idiots. How dare they think they could take on the Lamia!
Talon had just finished giving a grand speech and kissing his daughter farewell. She’d been happy to go in Alexi’s place. General Orion walked Adelina toward the dragon’s mouth. The whore would likely fuck her way across the ocean. She believed herself to be an important Fae emissary, not knowing she was nothing more than a pawn. Soon after the vessels reached Periculi, the Destroyers would go off, killing everything and everyone. It was a shame so many virile warriors would die. The blood of strong humans always revived him the most. But he had no choice. With the warriors out of the way, the nation would be defenseless, and he would have first pick of the remaining humans.
He scanned the busy docks, upset when he saw no sign of Kyria’s human pet. After she’d refused to attend court last night, he’d had a feeling she’d keep him beside her. She was almost as big a whore as her mother.
And where was Alexi? He was uneasy his grandson missed his speech, though not surprised. He’d probably been distracted by a pretty servant. He would ask Ravena to cut back on the Allura potion. The town was already crawling with enough of Alexi’s bastards.
Four of his second-blood soldiers approached empty-handed. “Where is the human?” he demanded.
Eli, his most loyal guard, bowed. “Alexi was with him. He refused to let the human go with us.”
“That doesn’t seem like my grandson,” he said, annoyed. He didn’t like the way the guard shifted from foot to foot. “You have something else to say. Speak!”
Eli flinched. “Sylvia was with them.”
The bitch loyal to Marcello and Evander, two of the Eldr’s masterminds? The one who’d failed to assassinate King Milas? He knew he shouldn’t have let Genevieve talk him into releasing her. “She should be on a ship with the others.”
“What do you wish us to do, My King?” Eli asked.
“Nothing,” he snapped. “The ships must depart on time.” He felt a pang in his chest, and instantly recognized it as heartache, though his heart had stopped beating centuries ago.
Though Ravena didn’t speak, he felt her dark aura behind him and knew she’d been listening and gloating. “Go deal with them,” he whispered, refusing to turn around and see the smirk on her face.
“What if they betrayed you?”
The ache in his chest deepened as he waved to Adelina below, forcing a smile. “Then do what must be done.”