She shrugged like the admission meant little, but the dark stain on her cheeks said otherwise.
“Haley,” I said softly. “There’s something you should know. I never meant for you to… The situation in Midnight is complicated. I realize you and your companions feel like prisoners here, and in some ways, I suppose you are. But I do not wish you harm, Darkwinter. Only—”
“Darkwinter,” she snapped, her eyes flashing, the momentary peace between us vanishing in a blink. “Your so-called enemy. The ultimate evil, right? Which is saying a lot in a place like Midnight.”
“Haley, no. I didn’t mean—”
“Youdidmean it, though. In your mind, that’s what I am—an enemy. An enemy to be broken, bent, and reshaped to suityourneeds. You’ve tortured those Darkwinter fae. Hunted them, just as they hunt you. So every time you say that name—every time you callmethe name of your sworn enemy—you jam the knife a little deeper into my gut. So don’t youdaretell me you don’t wish me harm. The fact is, youareharming me. You can’t just wish that away with some bullshit platitudes about how complicated your situation is.Lifeis complicated, Keradoc. Get over it.”
“Midnight is at war—has been for a long time. I’m only doing what’s best for my people.”
“And who are your people, Keradoc? Your daughter? Your generals? The soldiers you leave to rot on the field? Or maybe the ones you parade through the streets until they finally succumb to their wounds? What about the people starving right outside this very castle, begging your servants for the scraps you’ve left on your plate? What about the people you feed to your ghouls?” She shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping. “If that’s how you treat your so-calledpeople, I’m happy to be your enemy.”
My stomach churned and roiled. Every one of her accusations rang true.
But those daggers weren’t meant for me. They were meant for the man whose mask I wore. Whose mantle I now bore, along with all the power—and the judgment—that had come with it.
I’d taken on those things willingly, gladly, all in service of my ultimate goal.
But when all was said and done, which of us would be called to atone for those sins?
Did it even matter?
I turned the ring on my finger, the skin burning and blistering beneath. It was getting more painful by the night; the magick was faltering, the bond between us unraveling. His death was close.
And mine was probably not far behind.
“I don’t know why I ever thought we could have one nice conversation,” she said, standing up to leave. “You know what? I hope whatever’s chasing you in your dreams finally catches you, and I hope it bites off your—”
“Your sisters,” I blurted out, desperate to defuse her. To make her stay, even for a moment longer.
To prove to her that I wasn’t the monster she believed me to be.
Her face turned the color of the first moon. “What about them?”
I rose to my feet. “I wanted you to know that they’re safe, Miss Barnes. Haley. I give you my word.”
“And what, exactly, is that word worth? Can I trust you, Keradoc?”
“On this? Yes.”
She held my gaze for a long moment, scrutinizing me through narrowed eyes, her breath stirring a strand of hair that had slipped from her braid.
Moons and stars, she was lovely. A dark flower blooming in an even darker world, and when I’d said I had no need of her company, it was a lie as bold and black as I’d ever told.
“I’ve got associates in Blackmoon Bay keeping a close eye,” I said. “Your sisters are alive and well, as are the witches with whom they practice their craft and the men with whom they share their lives. A vampire and two demons, I believe? And a wolf shifter and a mortal man, or so I’m told? Honestly, the arrangement sounded rather tedious and confusing, but nevertheless, all are safe and well.”
She pressed a hand to her heart with a gasp, and tears filled her eyes. “My sister Gray. Those are her mates. Asher and Ronan are the demons, Darius is the vampire, and Emilio is a wolf shifter. Liam used to be Death, but now he’s mortal.”
“Death?” I couldn’t help the curious lifting of my eyebrow.
“Long story.”
“Indeed.” I offered a tentative smile. “Such a strange realm, your home.”
“You have no idea.” She returned my smile, and it felt like forgiveness. “Did you mean what you said? Really? My sisters… Everyone’s okay?”
“As I last heard from my associate earlier this evening, yes. Everyone is okay.”
