AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That information isn’t in any book,” he snaps, stalking toward me, not coming to a stop until we’re toe to toe.
“There’s a book in the library about the origins of dhampir,” I tell him honestly. “I’ve read it. Well, most of it.” I’m still working my way through the thick pages.
“I was wondering where that went,” Asher sighs from the doorway that leads toward the kitchen. “I thought maybe Miriam had taken it so that you wouldn’t find it while snooping.”
I raise an indignant chin. “It’s a library,” I say sharply. “I wasn’t snooping. I was looking for something to read, since my wardens didn’t deign to provide extracurricular activities.”
Asher smirks, his eyes lighting up as he licks his lips. “I’d say that last night’s activities were pretty extracurricular.”
Heat floods my cheeks, the warmth spreading down my neck as I recall our debauched…orgy? Gangbang? Whatever the hell it was.
I straighten my back, determined not to let him see how much his words have affected me. It’s useless, though; the Kings have a knack for seeing right through me. However, there is one thing I will not reveal: that it was actually Miriam who first told me about dhampirs before I even found the book.
“Doesn’t matter,” Weylen snaps, getting in my face. “I know for a fact there isn’t any book on strigoi. So where did you learn about them?”
Hell no. I don’t care about the repercussions that may follow my actions. I refuse to continue being a timid princess who cowers at the slightest hint of intimidation. Even though he’s not shouting, his presence alone is enough to make me feel small and powerless. But I’ve had enough of their games since arriving here. If they were looking for a docile prisoner, they should have left me alone. But now? Now, I’m full of rage.
“Get the hell out of my face,” I scream at him, fire burning in my eyes. “Why the hell do you think I would tell you anything? Especially right now? You want to know where I learned about strigoi? Maybe you should try asking more nicely instead of getting all fucking grumpy and trying to intimidate me. That’s all any of you have done since I got here. Intimidate and humiliate me, and I’m done with it.”
My body shudders, and I feel something untethering inside me.
“Did you think that maybe if you treated me with a little respect and decency that maybe I would tell you?” A light pulses through me, stretching from my fingers, causing them to tingle. “First that fucking dinner with your skeezy human business partners, then ignoring me for days, as if I don’t exist…” Heat radiates from the light, growing more intense with each pulsating beat. The air around me seems to vibrate, as if holding its breath in anticipation of what’s to come. The temperature inside me increases steadily, reaching a fever pitch that makes everything else fade into insignificance. It’s a fire burning bright and fierce, consuming everything in its path.
And when I place my hands on Weylen’s chest to shove him away, it explodes.
And so does the room around me.
Chapter 29
Thalia
Agony surges through my body as I’m violently thrown backward, the blinding light radiating through me like molten lava from a volcano. A guttural scream echoes through the room, shattering the stillness and piercing my ears. Someone desperately calls out my name, their voice barely audible over the chaos that surrounds us.
What have I done?
The pain in my head feels like an explosion, every nerve ending tingling with searing heat. The buzzing sound in my ears intensifies, drowning out all other noise. Dimly, I make out vague shapes rushing into the room, their hurried footsteps muffled by the ringing in my ears. Drystan’s deep voice breaks through the chaos, but his words are lost on me.
His face hovers in front of mine, worry etched into his features as he frantically tries to communicate with me. But before I can respond, darkness overtakes me, and I’m pulled into the welcoming oblivion of unconsciousness.
“We can’t afford to have any more delays,” a strong, familiar voice roars into the telephone. The device looks miniscule in his meaty hands, which are clenched so tight around it I think he might crush it in his grip. “We need to get our hands on that formula. He won’t like being disappointed, and I refuse to be the one to go down for your incompetence.”
Wait. I remember this conversation. I was playing ball with Annalise, one of the new maids, in the hallway outside my room. The ball had tumbled down the stairs, landing just outside of Father’s office. I’d just turned ten at the time. The words were confusing to my underdeveloped brain, but now, as I stand in my own shadow, a full-grown adult, I take them in fully.
“This was the agreement, Cosa,” my father sneers down the line. “I keep her alive and fed, and you do what the fuck I say.”
Cosa.
The name is familiar, like a dream that’s been forgotten in shadow.
“You will never see that little wretch if I can help it,” he snarls, his face growing a mottled purple. “If it wasn’t for her, your precious daughter would still be alive. Think about that before you beg to see her. She’s a murdering bitch, just like her mother.”
An ache spreads through my chest at his harsh words. Words that held no meaning to me at my tender young age. Now, though, they cut deeper than any sword. I can’t believe I forgot about this. I remember my father catching me outside of his office. My backside was black and blue for a week after his guard was done with me. Punishment for snooping, but in reality, I was the target of his rage.
“You can’t stay here, miss.” A small voice speaks up from the end of the hallway. It’s the maid, Annalise. I don’t remember this part. Annalise never came for me. I look around, but ten-year-old me is gone, and I’m alone in the empty hallway. With wide eyes, I stare at the woman in front of me. “You don’t belong here, Thalia.”
“How…?” I swallow audibly. “You can see me?”
She gives me a small smile. “It’s time for you to go now. You still have a lot to do.”
