The other two amsirah also didn’t move as the guards stopped before a rack of spikes. I studied the lethal contraption with a wary eye.
Been here. Done this.
While that was true, I wasn’t looking forward to what was about to come. Gaius emerged from the crowd.
When our gazes met, he grinned at me. “Your father has decided to give me the honor.”
Of course he had. Gaius was much like the duke, and Veni recognized that in him. Gaius was someone Veni would keep a close eye on; he’d enjoy watching him work, but he’d keep him close… for now.
“You know you never had a chance with her, right? The entire time you were pursuing her, trying to wedge your way into her life and into her bed, she was already mine. She told meeverythingabout you, even that kiss you forced on her, and notoncedid she desire you. Shelaughedabout you.” She hadn’t because he unnerved her, but Gaius didn’t have to know that. “You and Veni have a better chance of fucking a poltergeist than you do Ellery.”
Gaius’s face hardened, and malice shimmered in his eyes. From down the row of cells, Tucker groaned.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX
Ellery
As I entered the cavern,the stone erupted with its vivid red color. Along with my lightning, it created a burst of radiance that illuminated the gargoyles within.
Neither of those light sources illuminated the stone creatures at the top, but it did reveal the bottom half of them. Throughout my run, I hadn’t felt anything from the stone; now, it was growing increasingly hotter as it seemed to burn a hole in my pocket.
Its power vibrated against my leg as my breath plumed before me. Fear tickled my nape and caused the hair there to rise while goose bumps broke out on the rest of me.
I’d forgotten how cold it was in the cavern. I didn’t know if that was a sign the gargoyles shouldn’t be trusted or one more anomaly in this awful place.
Now that I was standing before these creatures again, I had no idea what to do with the stone. I could always make the gargoyles talk again, like we did before, but I couldn’t stand the idea of being alone while listening to their creaky, ancient voices.
I wasn’t afraid of much, but the idea of that unnerved me, especially since I could sense them all watching me. The ones above remained hidden, but their eyes bore into me; I couldn’t see them, but my lightning and the stone made me a clear target.
Despite knowing they couldn’t move, I still felt like they were creeping closer, encircling, and preparing to devour me. And if this went well, I’d soon be setting them free to do exactly that.
Have you lost your mind?
Yes, but I didn’t know how to get it back. Maybe these things could help me do so.
I refused to acknowledge how absolutely insanethatsounded.
Increasing the lightning around my wrists, I took a deep, fortifying breath and crept toward the gargoyles across from me. As I neared the statue, my lightning played across its features and too sharp canines.
The ugly, stonelike countenance of the creature didn’t move, but it watched. I was sure of it.
We’d learned they were at least somewhat aware of what was happening to them, but I hoped that when the light left this place, they slipped into a deep sleep. I wanted that sleep to protect them from the passing of time and their inability to do anything about it.
If such a thing didn’t happen, then not only were these things capable of decapitating someone with a swipe of their claws, they were also stark raving mad. There was no way they could be trapped here for countless millennia and still be rational.
And I was about to wake them up.
I’m not so annoying now, am I?that irritating little voice taunted.
If you can come up with a better plan, then I’d love to hear it.
That shut the bitch up.
With trembling hands, I dipped into my pocket for the stone as it flashed red again. Though it had felt like it was trying to burn a hole through my pocket before, I didn’t sense that anymore, and the stone remained cool against my palms.
I must have been imagining it earlier, but I wasn’t imagining the feel of Ryker’s clammy finger brushing mine before I pulled the stone free. Nausea surged up my throat; what had I been thinking to pickthatup and put it in my pocket?
I couldn’t answer that, and I also couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. The idea of keeping it repulsed me; the thought of leaving it behind made me want to cry.
