Still nothing.
I ground my teeth. “Dammit, Talon, at least give me a heads-up if I’m about to walk into a dangerous situation.”
He halted, sighing, and turned to face me. For once, he wasn’t glowering. His features smooth and reassuring, he raised his hands slightly in a calming gesture, though a glint of impatience lit his eyes. Message delivered, he continued walking toward the garrison’s exit.
Inwardly cursing, I reluctantly caught up to him. “What’s this about?” I again asked, unable to imagine what could have sparked the Sovereigns to essentially summon me.
A shrug was his only response.
My every step reluctant, I allowed him to lead me out of the garrison and over to the tower. All the while, I struggled to make sense of this—and not merely because my anxiety made it harder to reason it through. Where was the actual point in them requesting a face to face meeting? Why take time out of their day to speak with me when they could attain whatever answers they needed simply by asking Talon?
Sparing him a quick look, I bit into the inside of my cheek. Maybe he had reported something about me that interested them. But what? I hadn’t done anything notable. I hadn’t shown any outward signs of power.
The only thing that could have piqued their interest was that I’d demonstrated an immunity to lamiae venom. But they would have learned of that way before today, and I didn’t think it something they would feel inclined to speak with me about anyway.
So what, then?
I just didn’t know. Inwardly cursing yet again, I drew in a deep breath. The edginess building in my system made my fingers flex and my heart beat faster.
When we reached the tower, Talon turned to me and cuffed my twitching fingers. His gaze sober, he shook his head. His message came through loud and clear:Don’t let them see you’re anxious; show no weakness.
I heaved in a centering breath, stilled my fingers, and gave a long nod.
He released my hand, opened the door of the tower, and ushered me inside. The walk up the winding staircase was no more pleasant this time than it had been last time, but it didn’t hurt my legs quite as much, and I didn’t lose my breath.
My treks around the Pines had clearly toughened my body up some. A realization that would have made me smile if I wasn’t about to see the Sovereigns again.
Once we reached the same floor as we had on our previous visit to the tower, Talon led me down a familiar hallway and directly to the audience chamber. Only the three ruling half-bloods and Ariadne were present.
“Ah, here you are,” Minos said to Talon, planting his hands on the armrests of his throne.
The constant purr of power within me … dimmed. No,withdrew.As if it reflexively shied away from the Sovereigns or something.
What the—
“Anara,” Minos intoned, his rich voice almost a rattle in my bones. “How are you this evening?”
I mirrored Talon in coming to a halt several feet before the platform of thrones. “Fine, thank you.” My voice came out stilted.
Minos lifted a calming hand. “Be at ease. There is nothing for you to fear.”
I inwardly snorted.
While Minos wore a jovial smile, Rhad regarded me through narrowed eyes as he absently tugged at his beard. Eacus stared at me blankly, one ankle resting over the knee of his other leg.
“Tell me, Anara,” began Minos, “what do you think of our city?”
I blinked. Was this a trick question or an attempt at idle chit-chat? “It’s more wondrous than I could have imagined,” I replied, figuring a little flattery couldn’t hurt. “I am sure there is no place like it.”
“You are right. Nowhere on Earth could compare to it. And yet, human offerings are never pleased to be sent here, are they?”
Well,obviouslynot. “We’re told … stories.”
“Yes. And so no one knows what to expect when they come here. People, human or non-human, like to know what they should expect. So it can often be annoying when something keeps us guessing.” He paused. “I had hoped to have answers where you’re concerned at this point, but I do not.”
You and me both.
“I have always pitied humans,” he commented with a sigh, seeming to view himself as so very compassionate for that. “To be such easy prey must be supremely difficult. Predators will always come. Takeyou, for example. I heard earlier that another candidate made an attempt on your life. How frightening that must have been for you.”
