I followed out into the lashing, icy wind to survey. There were guards outside my door, but as I leaned over the edge of my balcony, I discovered none below. My floor was too high to jump without wings, but my goal wasn’t to escape. My time in Goldfell manor had made me adept at climbing, so I inspected the stability of the wall and ledges.
If Auster wasn’t going to feed me, I was going to get to the kitchens myself. I didn’t even care about being caught after that. In fact, proving I could elude his efforts to contain me would be quite satisfying.
Changing into the most suitable clothing and boots from my wardrobe, I hoisted onto my balcony railing and threw all caution to the wind. The castlehad enough narrow ledges, and a gritty texture for grip, that making my way across and around the building slowly wasn’t strenuously difficult.
Two floors down, I finally found a window slightly ajar. After deeming it clear, I slipped inside, needing to take a moment to rub my hands together, shivering violently to bring back the warmth to my fingers.
I enjoyed the winter and loved the snow, but unequipped it was absolutely dreadful.
“I need to know where she’s hidden that damned key,” Auster hissed.
I stiffened, then launched toward the wall as if it might grant passage away from Auster. I’d chosen the wrong hallway to infiltrate, clearly.
“I may have that answer, but what are you going to give me in return?” Tarran said.
His voice was unexpected, and now I wanted to march around the corner their voices drifted from and wring my hands around the vampire’s neck.
“I’ve already promised you reign over the vampires. Don’t test my generosity.”
Tarran snickered at that and I tensed. Daring to edge closer to their voices, I peeked around the bend and found them standing in close proximity alone. Tarran had his arms folded, completely unafraid of Auster.
“I don’t expect your promise to hold true, not with your new allegiance to an unfeeling creature from the depths of Hell itself,” Tarran said.
Auster was out of his league, not knowing how to handle Nightsdeath, and that was clear in his hesitation now. His voice turned to a hushed whisper, but I eyed the darkness as if Nightsdeath lingered in every trace.
“We’ll take care of him once Rainyte is gone.”
Tarran’s chuckle was part amused, part sardonic. “If you thought Rainyte was a merciless villain, you’re severely outmatched, facing him without a shred of humanity. Because that’s what Nightsdeath is.”
“He will have a body of flesh that can be killed. That’s all we need.” Auster’s tone turned low and threatening. “Don’t question me,soulless; I’ll easily find someone else to get me this information.”
“No, you won’t. You’re running out of allies and options, Nova. Is she really worth your relentless pursuit?”
That snapped something in Auster, and he wrapped a hand around Tarran’s throat and pushed him against the wall. A few strokes of lightning broke over his knuckles, and Tarran gave a pained sound. Then he smiled. Looking almost… delighted by the threat. Auster stared loathingly into Tarran’s eyes before pushing off the soulless vampire with a rough shove, lingering only for a pause before he twisted and stormed away.
What the hell was that about?
Tarran stared after him for a moment; then to my horror his head turnedtoward me. My heart leapt up my throat as I jerked back and plastered myself to the wall, praying it would open up and swallow me whole.
My instinct was to take off, but my elbow was caught by a hand before I could take a step. Then I was the one being slammed against the wall, finding pure amused delight spilled over Tarran’s face.
“You’re a better spy than this,” he said playfully.
“How did you know I was here?”
“You know vampire and fae senses are sharper than celestials’. I could scent you before you even slipped in that window.”
“Why are you here?” I snapped, not hiding my accusation.
Tarran shrugged. “I never declared I was only on your side.”
“Then what are you truly hoping for at the end of all this, regardless of who sits on the throne?”
He ignored me to ask, “Are you risking punishment by leaving your rooms just to prove a point?”
“I was hungry. He neglected to remember I need to be fed.”
“He’s terrible at keeping pets.”
