Page 134 of Facade

I glared at him, the truth hitting harder than his fists or kicks could. “You said you didn’t know I was at Castle Aurelia until later.”

He rolled his eyes. “Of course, I knew. I’m the one who had you stowed away there and had your memories erased. I couldn’t have you fighting back every step.”

If my muscles could have gone tighter, they would have.

“The location was meant to be temporary, but the Fae and Werewolves had... issues, adjusting to my new position as captain. As for the memories—despite what you may think, I’m not evil. All I want is power, as we all do.”

My gaze narrowed to slits, jaw aching from clenching so tightly.

“I knew if we had a clean slate and time to get to know one another, it'd make things easier for you in the long run. King Raul had even agreed to let me marry you. No cage. No chains. Had the Witch and bastard not interfered, everything would've been fine.”

He spoke as if he believed every insane word out of his mouth.

“What was your blood oath with the King?” I demanded, my heart thunderous as I waited for confirmation of what Ryker had said.

The lock clicked to my cell.

Stone bit at my back as I pressed into it, wishing it would just absorb me.

He sauntered in, crouching before me. “That I'd share you with him. You’d provide him with the means of gaining power. Just like you would me,” he sneered. “So he and I could rule over the new world as generals for the Dark Master.”

“Why?” Anger sliced through me. Who the hell is this Dark Master?

“I told you—power. When the Dark Master is finished, there will be no continents or realms. No kingdoms. He will rule over all, with the Witches as his priestesses. He still needed leaders. King Raul and I will be more than capable. Once we have magic in our veins, no being will be able to move against us.”

“So that’s it? That’s the big plan? Blindly following this asshole calling himself the Dark Master because he claims he can take over the world?”

“He’s coming. And when he does, all those against him will die. My mother saw this long ago. She listened—paid attention. My father, King Ezren, was a fool, standing against the Witches and their agenda. Achieving nothing but his inevitable death. But my mother ensured we were on the winning side.”

His eyes lit up as he stood to his full height, shadow swallowing me. His smile said he believed he’d already won.

“You’re insane, Aiden, to think the Witches or the Fae King would ever let you, a Gargoyle no less, have access to power. And I feel sorry for you,” I snapped.

Aiden bellowed, anger creasing his features as he lifted his boot. I barely had time to brace before he brought it down on my injured leg.

Crack.

White-hot pain tore through me.

My scream ricocheted off the stone walls, black dancing at the edge of my vision as I peeled my eyes open, nausea churning in my stomach.

“You will give me what I want!”

“Wanna bet?”

The words came from the darkness beyond—low, dangerous, and dripping with threat.

Aiden turned—and froze.

Silver-threaded electric-blue eyes cut through the dark.

My attention flicked to the hall, my heart racing as Ryker strode through in his human form, clad in black. His gaze was murderous as his eyes dragged over my injuries and the sticky blood that pooled beneath me. A shudder coursed through my body beneath his gaze, the primal anger in it.

The similarities between the two were clear as day, as they stood side by side. Not sure how I’d ever missed it. One light, one dark. Yet the shape of their eyes and mouths was the same.

Another figure walked in behind him—Freesia.

Reinforcements must be here. Relief flooded beneath the pain.