Well, in theory, we were, anyway.
I didn’t agree with some of Lilith’s antics, and I wanted to know what she and Michael had done to my brother. But I wasn’t going to stand against the current regime as a competing monarch.
Ismerelda was my priority now.
Along with finding Cane, I decided.And helping my lioness hunt and kill Michael.
Jace cleared his throat. “Cam.”
“Jace,” I countered. “I’m listening.”
He gave me a look.
I returned it with an eyebrow arch.
“Perhaps we would all be more comfortable upstairs,” Darius suggested. “Hazel gifted us a case of blood wine when we landed. She mentioned that humans are not a common menu item in this tower, as Deirdre City is rather short-staffed.”
“Deirdre failed to mention that upon my arrival,” I replied, looking for Hazel and finding her standing near Khalid. Both ofthem were observing me with interest. “Is that why Deirdre tried to take Keys?”
Hazel glanced from me to the silent human behind me. He’d been shadowing me and Ismerelda since we’d entered the room, his natural instinct to protect one that might become useful at some point.
Hazel cleared her throat. “She likely wanted to ensure he had appropriate accommodations.”
“Or she planned to turn him into wine,” I returned. “If your staffing issues are a result of gluttony, then consider that your problem to fix. Not mine. And certainly not Keys’s, either. He stays with me unless he chooses otherwise.”
Khalid and Hazel shared a look.
Then Hazel shrugged. “You’re among friends here, Cam. Or, if you prefer, allies. We want similar things. A world where we respect our origins rather than exploit them. I have no interest in harming anyone here, including the humans under your protection.”
“I echo that sentiment,” Khalid murmured. “But feel free to talk amongst yourselves. The technology Damien gave you will check the rooms for listening devices. However, I recommend you use this scanner to help remove that tracker in your neck.”
He held up a small item in his hand while he spoke that last line and moved across the room to hand it to me.
“You’ll just need a blade. Maybe yourErositawould like to do the honors?” he suggested. “I know Emine enjoys cutting me.”
His dragoness scoffed from across the room, but her blue-gray eyes glittered with the prospect of making Khalid bleed.
They definitely have an interesting dynamic,Ismerelda said.
Would you like to have a similar one?I asked her.Because I can find you a knife.It would only be fair after how much I’d made her bleed for me over the last two weeks.
She hummed, considering it.We’ll see. But maybe not right now. Your neck is a bit risky for our first time.
Worried you might slit my throat?
Yes,she admitted.
I would probably deserve that.I’d killed her upon our reunion. She should probably return the favor.
That won’t fix anything,she whispered to me.Besides, I need you alive right now.
Do you?
Yes. There are too many unknowns. And you’re my link to immortality.
A practical assessment,I murmured back to her as I took the item from Khalid. “How do you know I have a tracker in my neck?” I asked him.
He glanced at my hand. “I scanned each of you with this earlier. It’s a useful toy. Feel free to keep it.” With that, he returned to Hazel and his dragoness. “Shall we take a walk? I think there’s a lot we should discuss.”
