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Brutus had warned them when she concocted this plan, and he had been right; Verdugo was ruthless. Not because of necessity, but because that was just who he was—he enjoyed playing on the fear of others.

Verdugo turned to the others in the room, clapping his hands together and gesturing to the cellar door and the darkness beyond. He cleared his throat. ‘Now that is sorted, please follow me.’ His smile had gone from devilish insanity to unnerving host once again, and the change was so sudden that Areanel was taken aback—though she didn’t allow it to show on her face.

She moved to walk forward, and Rymedur stepped to her side, his hand a reassuring weight on the small of her back as she descended the rickety steps and into the dark below.

As they reached the bottom step of the cellar, Verdugo turned to them, and the low red light from the sconces lining the earthen walls made him seem more ominous. It looked like someone had dug into the ground beneath the building, creating a makeshift basement.

Wooden posts lined the area, and shabby panels were hammered together to make what looked like doors. There were four in total, on every wall—most likely tunnels, but leading where, she did not know.

A singular small table stood by the far wall, and Areanel spied an assortment of tools and weapons laid out on a white cloth at its centre.

Was this his version of a torture chamber?

‘I’m afraid this next part you need to do alone, Areanel.’ She stiffened as Verdugo addressed her by title.

Areanel did not let her surprise show on her face. Schooling her features into one of impassiveness, she cocked her head to the side.

His smile did not waver as he glanced over her shoulder to the two males at her back, then pulled something from inside his jacket pocket: a small, odd-looking circular device dangled from a cord attached to his blood-red vest, no larger than one of the coins she had seen being exchanged in the gambling hall upstairs.

‘This…’ Verdugo swung the bronze device back and forth before pressing his thumb to a mechanism on the side. A soft snick followed by a quiet click had the device sliding open. Areanel spied an opal stone in its centre. ‘This little invention was a gift from a customer and soon-to-be business partner. Turns out, there is an abundance of opportunities on the Isles of Soteria.’

Areanel paused at the mention of Soteria as Rymedur took a sharp breath in.

Soteria? That was Rymedur’s human father’s home. How many times had she heard him whisper about his adventures there as a young child? He had mentioned taking her and the children there countless times. If Verdugo had connections there, then…

A plan started to form in the back of her mind.

‘What kind of opportunities?’ Areanel found herself intrigued.

Verdugo’s smile widened, and Areanel thought she spied sharp fangs under his wolfish grin. What exactly was he? ‘Well, take this stone for example.’ He held up the small opal, its colours almost iridescent compared to the dark natural tones of the underground cellar. ‘This, like many other stones in Soteria, is imbued with gods’ magic. The very same power rushes through your veins, princess. Each has its own properties, allowing its owner to use them as they see fit. Like this one—’ he flourished a hand gesturing towards them ‘—allows me to see past manipulations.’

His eyes sparkled with a knowing gleam as they turned to her left and settled on Caius. ‘I have been able to see through your lies for quite some time now, Caius.’ He hissed the name like a serpent warning its prey, and every joint in Areanel’s body locked in place.

Of course. That’s how he’d known who she was. But Caius’s ability was powerful; he could weave intricate realities. So, just how strong was the magic in this singular stone?

‘And there are many more just like it, waiting to be mined and sold. Unfortunately, the way to Soteria is quite treacherous, even for me. However, I believe there’s a chance for us to work together to get what we want. But for that to happen… Are you ready to strike a deal with me, Areanel? Alone. In return, you can interrogate my prisoner.’

The gears turned in Areanel’s mind, whirring and flicking through all the possible solutions. But there was only one: strike a deal with Verdugo to interrogate the chieftain.

Easy enough. Right?

Areanel felt more than saw Rymedur’s rising anxiety, but if they were to get answers, this was the only way.

As Rymedur’s hand dropped from where it had been positioned on her lower back, Areanel wished she weren’t telling him to leave. He would not be able to stay with her; Verdugo had made it clear that she was the only person he’d allow in the interrogation.

Regret bloomed within her chest when she told him to leave with such unyielding command. She wanted him to stay. Needed him by her side. But they needed answers more.

Plus, the thought of him seeing her tear into someone mercilessly… She feared he would never look at her the same way ever again—with love and devotion.

Before he turned to leave, Rymedur reassured her that nothing would change between them, but she had been afraid of what he might think should he witness this side of her.

It was better this way. He did not need to witness this. She was a formidable woman, and she did not need him to coddle her, but he would still worry, even if it was from afar.

She needed to do this alone.

So, with a quick kiss to his already bruised lips, she watched him follow Verdugo’s goon, Caius hot on their tail, as they ascended the stairs leading to the back door of The Zenith.

Interrogations usually lasted a while. Longer if the person could withstand the torment.