“Jodhar knew enough of your plans that you felt the need to kill him.”
Castiel chuckled, the sound low and dismissive. “He was nothing but a big, empty-headed Alpha, eager to pocket any coins he could get his greasy paws on. He knew nothing beyond the bounty we offered.”
“Then why kill him?”
He looked at her, his expression serene, peaceful. “Because I felt like it.”
The chilling reality settled over her. Her breath hitched, composure threatening to crack as she stared at him. How easily he said it—as if snuffing out a life required no more effort than swatting a fly.
Perhaps, for him, it didn’t.
Perhaps he’d done it so many times, the act no longer carried any weight.
She swallowed hard. “I suppose you feel no remorse.”
“Why should I?” His brow lifted as though the question itself were absurd. “Jodhar was a leech. A loud, witless dog snapping at shadows. The world is better without Alphas like him.”
A chill pricked at her spine. The world was better off without Alphas like Jodhar—or without Alphas at all?
“And Kaelen?” she pressed, her voice dropping, sharper now. “Was it you who fired the arrow that poisoned him?”
His grin was disarming. “No, that was Jodhar, but I watched it happen.” His eyes hardened. “Make no mistake, dove, if I’d meant to kill your prince earlier, he would’ve been dead.”
Her stomach churned at the admission, but she pushed the nausea aside.
“You let me go,” she said. “Back on the ship. You left the cabin door open. Why?”
He met her gaze unflinchingly. “Who says I left it open intentionally? Perhaps it was carelessness.”
“Careless? You?” Her lips pressed together. “I think not. I’m realizing you never do anything without cause and effect.”
His grip on her waist shifted slightly as they turned in perfect unison, his movements smooth, controlled, practiced. He didn’t answer, but she wasn’t letting this go.
“So?” she pressed.
“You always ask the wrong questions, don’t you, dove? Instead of askingwhyI let you go, perhaps you should be askingwhatI took in return.”
Her pulse stuttered, but she forced herself to hold his gaze. “You took nothing from me.”
His smile was all sharp edges. “Didn’t I?” he murmured.
Then, with a flick of his wrist, something glittered between his fingers, catching the ballroom lights with cruel precision—a delicate, wing-shaped pendant.
Reiya’s stomach dropped.
The last time she’d seen it, she had pressed it into Mei Mei’s palm, a silent farewell, a promise to one day see the girl again. It should’ve been far from here—safe, untouched.
Yet, here it was, dangling from Castiel’s hand.
A cold shock ripped through her, the ground beneath her suddenly unsteady. Her chest tightened like a fist had closed around her ribs.
No.
Castiel’s lips curled faintly as they turned again, their dance movements a mockery of normalcy. His hand on her waist guided her just firmly enough to remind her of his control.
“Ah, you recognize it. Lovely craftsmanship, isn’t it? A gift, if I recall correctly?”
She nearly stumbled, but she caught herself. Her pulse thundered in her ears. “Where is she?”
