Reagan’s hand drifted across the table, and a newspaper materialised before me. He pointed to the man in the picture. “Was this the man you saw that night?”
I recognised the long silver hair, the dominant posture, the entitlement radiating from the figure as though he were standing in the room with us. The text in the corner of the image confirmed him as the leader of the Scion Order.
“Yes. This is him,” I answered, noting Reagan’s jaw flex.
I had never known what the man looked like. I should have asked for a picture. It never occurred to me that the most important Scion would be there. Judging by the staff’s expressions, they were also surprised.
It explained Varian’s calculated stare toward me tonight. Perhaps this had been Reagan’s intention in bringing him here. To make Varian believe he was part of the staff and draw information from him. Varian, at least for now, seemed willing to cooperate.
Reagan scratched his chin, his voice tense. “So you’re saying Madden is involved in the schemes against me?”
“He preferred an ally ruling Mountheim, and that is why he approached me. But since that day, we severed contact. Believe it or not, I am not comfortable being manipulated for someone else’s agenda.”
“And now you’re not afraid of Madden’s retaliation for telling us this?” Finn asked. “You’ve just made him a suspect.”
“Like I said, I thought you knew,” Varian replied, glancing at me again. “I’d be foolish not to fear a man like Madden. He is almost as influential and powerful as some of this country’s rulers, perhaps more than some. So yes, I am afraid. But he knows I have no way of incriminating him. He relied on followers who are unconcerned with the law.”
Varian was lying. He couldn’t have known whether I recognised that the white-haired mage was Madden, and he would have kept it to himself. He wove enough truth into his words to make the lies difficult to spot.
“I know I have much to prove regarding my intentions,” he continued, “and all I ask is that you allow me to begin today. I understand it will take time, but perhaps you will see that I am not like them.”
My teeth ground together, my chest careening with anger. “You mean like Caius? Or Goyle, or Dexter?” My voice cracked, hoarse with the lump lodged in my throat. “Because they did your filthy work for you. You had them beat me so your hands would stay clean.”
My hands shook as I balled them into fists beneath the table.
Gwin poured another glass and slid it toward me. It was my third, far beyond my limit, but I didn’t care. I hoped the wine would dull my mind enough so I could sleep later.
I should have been considering the Order’s motives. But my fingers curled, nails biting into my palms, and all I could think was that Madden knew exactly who I was.
A gentle draft brushed my shoulder, ghosting across my skin like quiet fingers. But the air felt too stale to draw a full breath, my body too hot.
“I didn’t order them to do that to you,” Varian said quietly, his expression nearly devoid of emotion. “What Caius did—”
I sprang to my feet, the glass clattering across the table and spilling wine. My heart hammered against my ribs. I wouldn’tlet him speak about that, wouldn’t let them hear how utterly debased I had been on that filthy floor.
“Caius can rot,” I said through gritted teeth. “And so can you.”
I didn’t look at anyone as I left the table.
Chapter 16
Jane
The liquor churned hot and sour in my stomach. I squeezed my eyes shut, counting my breaths. The corridor tilted beneath me. I reached for the wall and felt cold stone bite into my palm.
I didn’t follow Joy to the infirmary. I didn’t return to our room. I drifted instead, seeking for somewhere empty and quiet, at least until I could forget those images flaring behind my eyes.
A mantel cracking, mucky floorboards groaning beneath my weight. Three faces looming above me, mouths pulled wide with hate. I had been so afraid.
Cold sweat slid down my spine as I remembered it, though my skin felt alight with heat. I pulled the sweater over my head, letting it fall to the floor, my chest painfully tight.
“Breathe.”
I heard the whisper in my ear and turned, pulse leaping as something brushed my back.
Reagan stepped away, realising he’d startled me. But it was only him, away from the meeting. I exhaled, letting myself rest against the wall, chest still heaving.
He kept his distance, his voice quiet as he said, “I promise you, Varian will pay. It will take some patience and restraint, but he will.”
