Page 37 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

A gash mars Quarry’s temple. It looks deep, but no blood seeps from the wound. He must’ve applied a clotting tincture to stop the bleeding.

Nine pairs of eyes drill into me from all around the room.

I take a deep breath, bracing myself, before I say, “I can’t tell you.”

Anger billows, fast and hot.

“You insolent child,” Quarry spits, vibrating with fury. “How dare you deny us an⁠—”

“No, you don’t understand,” I interrupt, my voice dripping with meaning. “I can’t tell you.”

Every one of the Elders bristles with varying degrees of indignation, frustration, and confusion. The captains and the general are still as stone, which is honestly more frightening.

Lev catches on before the rest.

“You can’t say?” he repeats.

I give a stiff nod.

He exhales, his lips twisting into a sneer. “The Fae did something that prevents you from speaking about them?”

I nod again, relieved when doing so doesn’t trigger the debilitating pain around my neck.

“Bastards,” Elder Bakersmith snaps.

“Unnatural creatures,” Quarry hisses. “All magic is an abomination.”

My still-recovering power flickers.

It’s okay, I coax gently. They aren’t speaking about you.

My magic titters, not believing my lie.

The Elders continue to spew curses and lament the Fae’s existence. All except for Elder Whitestone.

The more open-minded leader watches me with probing, wise eyes. “Is there anything you can tell us, child? Anything at all so we might know what to expect?”

Run. The Fae will destroy you when I fail.

I suck in a breath when the line around my neck burns.

Lev jerks. “What in the Gods…”

He stares at the base of my throat. A glance confirms everyone else in the room looks there as well.

So, they can see it.

Good.

One less thing I have to try and explain.

I release the words I wish I could say, and the burn fades. The room falls silent.

Then—

“Monsters,” General Ironheart growls.

The fact that he’s angry on my behalf would be touching if I didn’t fear everything about the man.