‘But, if you’re working for Fiana, why try to kill me?’ I ask. ‘She wants me alive.’
He says nothing for a moment, and Lia sits up fully.
‘Don’t try anything, Harbinger,’ Voss warns. ‘Your power won’t work on me.’
‘I already know that.’ Lia’s eyes bore into him. ‘You’ve always underestimated me.’
‘I don’t know what you mean. We’ve barely ever spoken.’
Lia rolls her eyes. ‘Come, come. I have a mate who’s a mage. A conjure to show someone whatever you want them to see? To hide injuries, even make sure they can’t be scented? That’s no simple conjure, Voss.’ She leans forward with a sneer. ‘Or should I call youRikoth?’
Voss’ eyes widen comically.
‘How did you survive Varrik’s keep that day? They told me you were dead.’
Before my eyes, Voss’ face changes. His hair and eyes grow much darker and his large stature morphs into a male of smaller frame. His expression is cruel. Next to me, I feel Lia shudder, and her hand seeks mine surreptitiously.
‘Fiana returned for me before I succumbed to death, as I knew she would.’
‘So, you’ve exchanged a master for a mistress, Rikoth?’ she asks.
She’s clearly afraid, but her voice is strong. ‘How long have you been spying for her in the Underhill? How long since you killed the fae who’s face you wear?’
'Years!’ he laughs. ‘Ever since you started this place. When did you first suspect, Harbinger?’
Lia’s shrug is nonchalant. ‘In truth, not until the day of Bryn’s trial when you beat her and hid it from everyone in the Hall. But I could see it in the way she walked, held herself. How many times did you do that to me, Rikoth?'
‘So many times, Thalia. So many good memories of those times, eh?'
'I suspected it then,’ Lia continues as if he hasn’t spoken, ‘but nothing came of it. You hadn't raised any suspicions in the Underhill. By all accounts, you were a normal enforcer. And, of course, you were Calder’s, so he ensured no one spoke ill of you. When I started trying to investigate you, I was quickly shut down.'
'So,' I say, ‘that’s why your students are so weak and pathetic. Why they have no knowledge of the Dark Realms. You’ve made them so.'
His grin is dark. 'None of them will be any use to the Underhill. The arrogant little fucks think they're ready. They think they already know everything. And I've made sure thatwhen the time comes, they won't do a damn bit of good against Fiana and her army, and they will be about as useful as a chocolate teapot as spies in the Dark.'
'You've ensured the Underhill is weak,’ Lia mutters.
'Yes. As I ensured the village was weak by making sure that Calder was put on the Council. That fool thinks he’s so intelligent. Always thinks he’s five steps ahead. Idiot. He spent so much time plotting for power, not enough in his studies. But then again, some people are just fools. Why do you think I chose him?'
Lia lets out a huff.
‘So, you’re here to take us to Fiana, I suppose?’
‘Not quite. I’m afraid you’re going to kill each other in this very room.’
‘That doesn’t make sense,’ I say, trying to buy time to work out how I pulled Fiana’s magick from her because I have no idea how to do it again. ‘Fiana needs me to find the Black Lake, and I’m quite sure she wants the Harbinger to torture.’
Rikoth takes in a long breath through his nose, looking annoyed and taking my bait. ‘The problem with Fiana is that she…’ his hands rise, fingers curling like claws in his frustration, ‘is her own worst enemy!’
He sighs deeply and dramatically.
‘My mama was killed by humans,’ he mimics Fiana’s high-pitched voice, ‘tortured and killed for being a fae in the Light. Blah blah blah. Who doesn’t have a story like that from those times, I ask you? But every fae doesn’t waste valuable time tormenting all the humans they can find,’ his eyes find Lia’s, ‘especially dark-haired slave girls who look likea certain Harbinger.Every fae doesn’t try to amass as much power as possible simply to destroy the Light.’
He looks skyward. ‘Her obsession with dirty humans, especially with you, Thalia, is a liability. It’s pathetic and I couldsee the same thing beginning all over again when she heard about the human Kismet. No, I won’t be taking you to her. This is for her own good. Bryn, pick up the knife on the table. Thalia, you won’t move.’
I glance at Lia, wondering why Rikoth expects me to just do as he says, but when I see her expression, it’s terrified, and she’s perfectly still.
‘I’m waiting, Bryn.’
