Ryker
“Of course not all of them,”Ivan scoffed, “but that bitch was hell-bent on helping to free my prisoners before, so let’s see what she does when she has to watch others suffer because ofher. I’ll pull on her tender fucking heartstrings until they snap if necessary. And I’ll carve those strings from her chest when she comes forward.”
“You plan to kill the only female lightning bearer to ever exist?” I asked.
“No, but I’ll make her pay for going against me. I’ll make her screameverydayfor the rest of eternity.”
Which was why I’d never let him get his hands on Ellery.
“What if she’s not in the crowd?” I asked. “What if you missed rounding her up, or she’s from one of the sea villages or a home in the countryside? What if she lives in the Revenant Woods, and you never find her?”
“The sea villagers are here too. Who do you think is coming through the portals?” Ivan replied.
Beyond the glass, more women poured into the field and over the hills. There were so many they stretched as far as I could see.
A sinister smile curved the corners of Ivan’s mouth. “Maybe we missed some of the women, but she came out of hiding to save those who rebelled against me, and they werefarfrom innocent. She’ll come for these fucking rodents too.”
Ivan had no way of knowing Ellery was the woman he sought, but he already knew her well. And if she came forward before I could stop or free her, they’d imprison us both.
My father knew of our relationship, and while he thought it was over, once he discovered Ellery was the female lightning bearer, he’d never believe I didn’t know about it. Not only would Ellery be in their hands, but so would I.
I had to get down there, but I still had no idea how to stop this.
A knock on the door turned my head toward it, but Ivan didn’t say anything. After a small hesitation, the door creaked open, and a servant poked his head around the corner enough for his eyes to be seen.
“I’ve been asked to inform you that they’re ready for you, milord,” the servant said timidly.
“It’s about time,” Ivan snarled.
Given how irate he was, the king rose and smoothed down the front of his deep red robe with an elegant grace I hadn’t expected. Gold trimmed the front of the robe and the edges of his sleeves; yellow diamonds formed the buttons holding the robe together.
“You will all accompany me to the field,” Ivan said before pinning Samael with a hard stare. “Your father was a failure, but you’ve done well by bringing me Ryker Locke. Don’t become afuckuplike your creator.”
Samael bowed his head, but not before I saw the flash of resentment in his eyes. “Of course not, milord.”
“Follow me.”
Though I didn’t like it, I followed Ivan as he swept across the room toward the door. It was a sign of his eagerness to get to the stage that he didn’t command someone to carry him on his throne.
My father fell into step beside me while the rest of the aristocrats walked behind us. I lost sight of Gaius and Samael as we left the room.
CHAPTER NINETY-THREE
Ellery
The sweat drippingfrom my forehead plopped onto the ground between my feet. It wasn’t the first drop. It wouldn’t be the last.
My heart raced so fast I was certain it had bruised my ribs. I couldn’t breathe as the surrounding bodies crushed me between them.
I’d lost Ruby and Scarlet after that woman fell. I hoped they were safe, but it was better if they weren’t near me. Once the guards took me, they might have a chance of escaping this atrocious place if they were far away.
The women’s sobs tore at my heart and battered my conscience until I yearned to scream, “I’m here! I’m right here!”
But I kept my lips clamped shut as I tried to figure out if there was a way to get out of this without anyone, besides me, getting hurt. I couldn’t wait long, as all these women and children were suffering because ofme.
I could stop this. I could lift my hand right now and tell them it was me.
Doing so would put an end to it all and sentence me to a life of misery.
