Phoenix nods and approaches me. She casts a quick glance over me and swallows hard. “Can you…walk okay? Or do you need us to?—”
Before she can even finish her sentence, Jax sweeps me off my feet and takes off at a sprint. “No time! They’re coming!”
He darts through the open door outside into the rain, Phoenix following us. We’re in the back gardens. It’s so dark, and the rain’s heavy enough to immediately drench my clothes. I hold on tight to Jax’s neck while he sprints towards the front gate.
The sound of clanging weapons behind us reaches my ears right as we get to the gate. It’s closed. Reizei’s voice follows. “General…I was wondering when you’d arrive.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
PHOENIX
So close.
We were so close.
I exchange a glance with Jax at my side, Vera in his arms, frail and soaked with rain.
Get her to safety no matter what,I tell him through our bond.
His eyes harden. Before he can argue, I add:It’s an order.
Reluctantly, his stance loosens and he gives me a subtle nod. I dip my chin in acknowledgment and slowly turn to face Reizei and his men. With my head held high, I take a step closer to the father of a man I used to love. Before I slit his throat.
“Reizei. It’s been a while,” I say calmly. “I assume you know why we’re here tonight?”
His dark gaze slides to Vera in Jax’s arms. “To steal another heir from me. It’s getting rather tedious,General.”
Miss Talbot, that maid had called Vera.
No matter. There’s no time for that. Not now.
“You took Vera D’Argent against her will, locked her up, mutilated her, and used her as a way to blackmail your Ezkai General,” I say, words hard. “And that’s only one of the crimes you’re being charged with tonight.”
Reizei’s eyes widen and a slow grin stretches across his face. Then, he bursts out laughing. It irks me to no end, his arrogance. He thinks I’m bluffing. That he’s untouchable because nobody dared to arrest him before me. Now I know where Daegel got it from.
Jax’s anxiety spikes through our bond half a second before the sound reaches my ears. Metal on metal.
Reizei’s laughter dies when the weapons clash behind us.
Every muscle in my body coils. Reizei’s men are closing in from behind. The metal gate rattles behind me.
We’re trapped.
I don’t move, though. Don’t look back. I keep my eyes on Reizei. I won’t give him the satisfaction of watching me flinch.
Only when the gate tears open do I look back.
For a long, terrible second I wait for more of his men. But the black silk tunic whipping in the wind is familiar.
Noire.
He’s supposed to be guarding the back…
No matter.
More of my Ezkai flood in behind him, fanning out at my back. My heart sings with triumph.
Reizei’s men shift—weapons raised, bodies tensing as they stand behind their master. I’m ready to call it?—
