Page 128 of Apprentice to the Villain

Sage’s brow furrowed. “Whose orders?”

“My mother’s.”

She flinched and gasped, her hand coming up to cover her mouth. “Why would she…?”

He smiled, but there was no joy in it. Just long-buried hurt. “My mother didn’t take too well to how I came out after my time with Benedict. I had returned home looking for sanctuary, and instead I found her waiting for me, along with Clare. It was perhaps the first rift between my sister and Tatianna. Alexander Kingsley was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He came in just before I did. It was supposed to be me, and it was supposed to be death.”

Sage’s eyes flared. The nonsense wheels in her mind wereturning and turning, this time in a fury. “What a bitch—”

The knight called again. “Hello? Are you coming back? Bring the pretty maiden with you!”

Trystan turned to the door and kicked it before roaring, “Apprentice!”

She bit her lip and started back for the stairs. “Well, as fun as this has been, I have to return to Lyssa. Last night was rough for her, and I don’t want her to be alone this morning.”

There was a pang of emotion for the girl, right in the center of his chest. He used to be able to keep track of the few people he cared about with one hand; at this rate, he’d have to expand to…two? Odious.

Still, an idea began to form. A way to help Lyssa heal from her pain.

The pang was replaced by a sting as a question curdled from his lips—one he’d been holding back. “Sage. That day we met, did you first come across an older woman with three children?”

She stilled at the bottom of the stairs and turned to face him. She narrowed her eyes at him, though not in suspicion. More in confusion. “…Yes, at the job fair. I was almost offered a maid position, but she clearly needed it more, so I gave it to her in my stead. How did you know about that?”

Grains of truth could usually carry you through a lie of omission. “The destiny creature told me.”

She smiled. “What an odd thing to share.” She paused, then asked, “Sir, shall I… Shall I look into finding another starlight user?”

He sighed, his shoulders sinking. “Take time, Sage…to mourn your mother. I’ll work on getting the guvre back in the meantime. The male isn’t doing well, but I think he’s grown to trust us.”

She looked grateful, and he hated himself for it. “And then back to it! Stealing the kingdom!” And with that declaration, sheturned on her heel and left. Her footsteps echoed off the stairs, and when they fully faded, he slid down the wall, elbows on his knees.

Kingsley sat there, unblinking, ever faithful. “Should I have told her, old friend?” Trystan asked him quietly. “That there was no older woman at the job fair—that it was one of destiny’s enchanters in disguise, guiding her right into my path?” Kingsley hopped closer, ribbiting. The rest of destiny’s words felt as if they’d been burned onto Trystan’s soul.

You were always supposed to meet Evie Sage, Trystan Maverine. Just as Evie Sage is meant to be your downfall, and you her undoing.

The second he’d heard destiny’s words, he knew the truth of them. So it was decided, as painful and heart-wrenching as it would be—he had to keep his distance from her. Lest she ruin him and he her.

No more. He was through.

Just as soon as he finished one more very important task…

Chapter 81

Evie

Night had fallen on Massacre Manor once again. The Malevolent Guards were all recovering, as was the office—the damage from the fire and the battle was being repaired to restore the manor’s former glory.

“Maybe we should go in there,” Tatianna said warily, kicking out a stiletto boot, arms folded across her chest as she cocked an ear toward the door.

“Give him a chance! It sounds like it’s going well,” Blade said with an optimistic gleam in his eye.

Crash.

Gideon and Evie shared a glance before Gideon nodded toward the room and gave her a look that said,Get in there.

Evie grimaced and lightly pushed against the door. “Perhaps I’ll just make sure everything—”

The door slammed open, nearly knocking into her head.