“I’m positive I don’t know you,” she spat.
“I swear I’ve seen you before, or maybe I’ve been inside you. There’s been so many over the years, and they all blend together.”
Sahira looked like a tiger tossed into a bubble bath. “I’dneverfuck a dark fae.”
“Never say never, beautiful lady. We are quite… intriguing.”
“That’s enough,” Cole growled.
Watching the interaction between them was enough to convince him that Sahira did not know of Orin’s presence down here. Orin’s black eyes gleamed when they shifted back to him.
“Have you claimed the throne yet?”
“I have.”
“Did the throne or the trials infuse you with so much more power?”
“The trials.”
“Interesting,” Orin murmured as he studied him. “You feel stronger than Father; is that because you recently completed the trials, or is it permanent?”
“Time will tell,” Cole said. “Where’s Varo?”
“Elsewhere.”
“Is he well?”
Orin shrugged. “Are any of us? Well… I guessyou’rewell. You are the king of the dark fae now. Father would be so proud.”
“I had no choice. Unlike you, I can’t throw my duties and family aside for the sake of my pride and a chance at glory.”
Orin’s jaw clenched, but Cole continued before his brother could speak.
“When the Lord killed our father, he made it clear I either took the throne or he would destroy the Gloaming.”
“And if you died during the trials?”
“I’m sure part of him wishes I did.”
“And I’m sure part ofyouis thrilled to have so much power and all the glory that will come with it.”
Chapter Fifty-Six
Lexi never sawCole move before he seized Orin by the throat, lifted him off the ground, and bashed him into the wall. She gasped, and her hand flew to her mouth as Cole leaned forward until their noses almost touched.
Orin’s feet dangled above the ground. He was about four inches shorter than Cole, and those inches separated him from the ground. Lexi wanted to tell them to stop, but this was between them.
Still, she wouldn’t mind slugging Orin over that last statement. Cole would gladly give up every bit of his newfound power to have his father back. Orin knew it, too; he was just being an asshole.
“Donotfuckwith me,” Cole snarled in a tone that raised the hair on her arms.
Somehow, even with his toes dangling above the ground, Orin managed to retain an air of dignity.
“I never wanted this,” Cole said. “Fathernever wanted this.”
“Maybe if all of you had taken a stand against the Lord, instead of playing along with him while secretly plotting behind his back, none of this would have happened,” Orin retorted.
Lexi’s eyes flew to Cole. She would have been less shocked to learn aliens were playing hopscotch in her yard than she was by that revelation.
