Odette made a small sound, but Delmare wrapped her hand around Odette’s mouth so she’d be quiet. My heartbeat quickened when there was a pause— but then the two resumed their conversation.
“I get that it made a few people drop out. The competition is much easier to conquer, but we neededEthanto quit. He’s our biggest challenger,” Gabby hissed.
“Do you honestly think he and his welp bitch are a threat to us?” Elijah sneered.
“She’s Magdalina’s favorite. That’s a problem for us. She needed to be taken out.”
“That was your task, and you failed. It was your fault Morgan got the bad end of your spell instead of Sosna.”
Kiara grabbed my arm. I grabbed her back and held on tight.
“I didn’t intend to hurt Morgan,” Gabby said slowly. “You know that was an accident.”
“You should’ve checked before you cast the curse!” Elijah said, voice rising.
“I would’ve revealed my position!” Gabby burst. “The plan was to hide in her dorm until Sosna showed up, and kill her so Ethan wouldn’t pick her for the Contest. If I had known Morgan was going to pull that prank, I would’ve waited another night.”
“Well, your poor execution got us into this situation now,” Elijah said. “Your efforts to take Sosna down should’ve became more desperate after you failed the first time!”
“Magdalina isalways watching her,” Gabby insisted. “It’s not as easy as you think. I barely got away with hurting Morgan! The headmistress has her eye on me. Why couldn’t you just take care of the situation altogether, and eliminate Nowak?”
“You know why I couldn’t do that. The prince is too powerful. If I had tried anything against him, and failed, Queen Antonia would’ve suspected me first, as I’d be the obvious choice. Then she’d have my head.” Elijah’s tone was thick with disgust.
“It doesn’t matter.” Gabby’s tone was nervous. “We can eliminate them during the Contest. It’s a dangerous competition. People die every time.”
“Forgive me, but I think we’ll be too busy worrying about saving our own necks to be preoccupied about slitting theirs,” Elijah said sarcastically.
“We still need Sosna’s blood,” Gabby said. “Even after this is all over. Otherwise, our deal with the Black Claw is null and void.”
I was so stunned I couldn’t move. Elijah and Gabby knew about the Black Claw’s plan to use my blood to raise the Dark God? How?
“I’m well aware.” Elijah’s voice had grown cold. “It’s something to worry about after the Contest is over.”
“We need to worry about itnow. If she dies during the Contest, we have to gather a large enough vial to perform the ceremony.”
“We’ll make it work. The Black Claw wouldn’t have declared me the Hidden King if they didn’t believe I’d fulfill their dark prophecy. They claim I’m the one they’ve been waiting for.”
“And are you?”
“Is there any doubt?”
There was silence for a moment, and Elijah said, “Come. We need to get back to the party, before we’re missed.”
The four of us along the wall started, but their footsteps faded in the opposite direction. We didn’t move away from the wall until it was clear both of them were out of earshot.
Holy shit. Elijah was in with the Black Claw. The cult had him in their pocket. They’d proclaimed him the Hidden King.
I don’t know why I was so surprised. This should’ve been obvious from the beginning. By the gods, how could I have been sostupid? The signs were right in front of me all along. Guess I should’ve spent more time solving murders instead of chasing after the Phantom.
If Elijah won the Contest and was put on the throne, Malovia’s worst nightmare would come true. The Black Claw would have total control of the monarchy, the country, and everyone in it.
“What the hell was all that? Did Elijah just confess to murder?” Delmare asked.
“And Gabby, too. She tried to kill Emma!” Odette peeped.
“We need to tell the authorities about this,” Kiara said. “Elijah and Gabby will be kicked out of the Contest for such crimes.”
“No,” I said slowly. “They won’t be.”
