Noir’s voice floated over, singsong and delighted. “Aww. Family drama. My favorite.”
Zane shot a glare at him. “Shut up.”
Finn moved closer, his presence warm and steady, and bumped his shoulder lightly against mine, offering comfort without a word.
“I know what I’m doing.” My throat felt tight, and I swallowed it down before anyone noticed. “We’re doing the right thing.”
“Of course you are. Killing solves everything,” said Noir.
Zane’s fist slammed into the table. “Stop talking, Noir. Before I make you.” His voice deepened as shadows unfurledaround him.
Finn nudged the fruit plate toward me, gentle and grounding.
I shook my head. “Time to get ready.” And face the Flask of Dominion’s judgment for the third time.
Chapter 32
Sidney
The great hall hummed with predatory energy, a cage disguised as a sanctuary. From the elevated galleries, spectators leaned over the railings, their eyes tracking the remaining candidates like hounds scenting blood.
I stood among the competitors, flanked by Zane and Finn. Noir crouched at my feet, still bound, his manic grin visible through a tangle of beard. My missing stake gnawed at the back of my mind. Who had it now? A servant who’d moved my belongings? A candidate? Mathias himself?
I forced my attention back to the present, scanning the line of survivors. The numbers didn't add up. Ten of us had survived to this moment—ten out of the twelve who had exited the labyrinth what felt like a lifetime ago. A fraction of the twenty-five who had first vied for the crown. Yet only six stood here. Four were unaccounted for…and Felicity was among them.
My chest tightened at the thought that she might be dead.
To my right, Razira waited in perfect stillness, silver hair gleaming under the light. Though worry still gnawed atme, it was a relief to see her. She'd survived the trial and, somehow, passed Lord Clement’s interrogation. To my left stood Tierney, spine rigid, every inch of her carved from military discipline.
Mathias remained nearby, beside the artifact on its velvet pillow, hands clasped behind his back as he regarded the survivors. “Two candidates have not returned. If they fail to appear before the final candidate presents their prize, their fate lies with the Flask.”
The iridescent liquid inside of it rippled. A rumble followed, then came the scrape of claws against the crystal. Two figures pushed free of its neck and expanded, canine in outline, their bodies moving with the fluid shimmer of blood in motion. Their eyes were dark and hungry. Leaving a trail of crimson pawprints, they paced at the base of the dais, tails lashing, eager to be released.
A current of unease swept through the line of candidates. Though instinct urged me backward, I remained rooted, unwilling to show my fear. Beside my boots, Noir let out a growl like a territorial dog. I nudged him with my calf.
“And two have returned empty-handed,” Mathias’s voice cut cleanly through the chamber. “They found the House of Whispers too vast, or perhaps their own courage too small.”
The creatures lifted their heads at his words, nostrils flaring as if already catching the scent of the missing. Their attention slid past the rest of us without interest, yet their presence still sent prickles down my spine.
I focused on our dwindling ranks. Felicity’s absence weighed on me like a crushing stone. A burden I shouldn’t feel for someone I was destined to kill. But Felicity was out there, and those hounds were waiting to hunt her down.
A creaking sound pulled my awareness toward theentrance. The double doors opened, and two vampires entered under guard escort.
Cordelia stumbled forward first, a contestant I’d never spoken to. She was loud-mouthed and hawk-nosed, her teal gown torn and stained with dried blood. “The House of Whispers was too well fortified. I couldn’t?—”
“Silence.” Mathias’s voice sliced through her explanation. Power flickered in his eyes, and a feminine echo hid partially beneath his words. “The Flask of Dominion does not accept excuses.”
The container brightened, and the drop within swirled faster.
Cordelia’s eyes widened. “Please, I tried. I nearly had one, but their guards?—”
The Flask’s inner light intensified to a blinding degree. Cordelia’s scream began as a sound and ended as something else. Her body convulsed. The essence of her streamed from her mouth and eyes in ribbons of red mist.
The crystal vessel drank it all down.
When the light faded, Cordelia’s corpse collapsed. Nothing remained but a dried husk, lips pulled back from fangs in a final rictus of agony.
My gorge rose, and I swallowed quickly before I could show weakness by vomiting at the sight. I’d seen death arrive in many ways, but this…this was gruesome in a whole new way. I forced my attention away from what remained of Cordelia. If Felicity didn’t arrive soon, I feared the same sort of demise was coming for her.
