The Red Queen.
LillivereJaninaCross.
Chapter 36
Things Get Broken
MAX
Luther lets go of me with a start. “Reds have no standing here. You’re trespassing on Summer ground,” he says, his tone haughty, almost bored.
His piercing gaze finds mine as he walks past me, showing no hint of humanity. No mercy.
He’d gladly cut these women down.
He leaves me behind, though I’m still bound by his magic, and strides toward the Red Queen with the casual guile of a younger, unruly sibling, reminding his elder of the house rules.
Lillivere’s gaze slides over him, dismissive and cold. “I’ve had enough of your lot stealing away my slaves.”
“I’m the commander of this army, and once again, you are trespassing. This is the Summerlands, and I’m perfectly within my rights to destroy you if you attack first.”
He sounds as though he’s bluffing, but I’m not sure he is.
What is he playing at?
The Red Queen draws the katana strapped to her back, the edge of the blade catching what little light remains. Her powerdrums through the air, almost as drugging as Luther’s, but not quite.
Her mouth curves. “You’re no King of Summer, and your master, the Lord of the Tides, isn’t here.” Her gaze sweeps over the camp at our backs with obvious contempt. “This rat’s nest needs sweeping.”
Luther smiles from ear to ear. “I’m not above killing foolish women—or overconfidentqueens.”
But the women are not alone. Twelve knights in white cloaks follow behind them, swords in hand, clad in gold helmets, plated armor, and fine chain mail.
Lillivere eyes Luther up and down, then slowly licks her blood-red lips. “Surrender the witches, and I will let you go. Fight for them, and you will learn what it means to serve a Red Queen.”
“Color me intrigued,” Luther chuckles. “But there’s no universe where you manage to catch me, Janina—let alone kill me.”
A woman gasps and steps out from the rear of the formation, breaking rank.
“My Queen,” she says sharply. “The witch behind him is Sierra Morgan’s daughter.”
Riley.
Her voice hits like a slap.
The Red Queen’s nostrils flare. “Maxine Morgan? Are you sure?”
Riley nods, one hand wrapped tightly around the hilt of her katana, her eyes burning. “Without a doubt.”
It’s so easy to see her for what she is here.
Not long ago, she was wearing sweats and a too-big hoodie, pretending to be a first-year university student. She roped me in with her awkward smiles and harmless questions, playing at friendship across cafeteria tables and library desks like she wasjust another exhausted mortal girl surviving on caffeine and sheer panic.
I told her my secrets. Laughed with her. Trusted her enough not to question why she wanted to meet my family.
The girl I thought was my friend is now guarding the wretched woman who stepped over my mother’s body on her way to the crown, standing by her side in crimson leather and blood-red silk.
“Hello, Max,” Riley greets me with a delighted chuckle. “It’s been a while.”
