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The Decodon’s words from moments before slammed into me as my mind caught up to the events that were unfolding.

“It isn’t what we want,” its voice had hissed. “It is what our king wants.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

BRYN

I’d been duped.

Leo Malesa, King of Esmerelda, my so-called betrothed, had thoroughly fooled me.

I was on my knees, hands bound in front of me by rope, with the stench of a creature directly behind me, watching as Leo paced, calling out his demands, while The Nine were hauled out of the Dome. To where, I didn’t know.

My leg screamed in pain, but the bleeding had slowed for now.

I’d tried to catch my father’s attention again, after Leo had revealed his hand, but he’d put up a fight against one of the Deks and had been dragged unconscious from the room, following the rest of the council.

Only the deceased, and the few guards that had survived, remained, bound like prisoners.

I stared at the dead; at the tens of men who wouldn’t be returning home tonight.

Because of the king.

Leo stopped his pacing, squatting low to meet me at eye-level, still holding a gun in his hands. “I know this seems bad, Bryn, but I need you to hear me out⁠—”

I spat at him, fighting against the rope that bound me, and watched while the wetness slid down his cheek, wishing my saliva was venomous so it would eat away at his perfect skin.

He only smiled, wiping away my spit, unfazed. “Bad, Bryn,” he cooed, rising to his full height. “We don’t have much time, so I’ll try and state my case plainly for you.”

He swept a piece of his hair out of his eyes I’d once thought beautiful, now so clearly one of his many tools used to manipulate, his beauty as powerful as his magic. An easy way to trap his prey.

“The structure of The Nine needs to change,” he said, looking at the council’s empty chairs, some of which had been toppled during his coup. “Their rules are outdated. And quite frankly, unfair. The power gifted to us from the Earth shouldn’t know a time restraint, and should never part from us once it’s ours.”

I rolled my eyes, having zero patience for his rantings. “I don’t understand the point you’re trying to make.”

“Come on, Bryn, think about it.” He motioned to two Decodons, who nodded at him before leaving the room. “Use that beautiful head of yours.”

I did think about it—a king who had everything, partnering with monsters who wanted to destroy every living thing in their sight, was a confusing duo. But then again, Leo didn’t truly have everything, did he?

“This is about your parents,” I said.

“You’re fucking right it is,” he growled, his eyes narrowing on me. Black swirling around his hazel irises, the lovely trait his mother had given him; her loss the cause for all of this.

I’d once thought the darkness that filled his eyes was caused by his powers. But the Nullifiers were up. Leo didn’t have any powers right now. The darkness there had something to do with the Deks.

“If my parents had had their powers when they were attacked, they would still be here today. But because of The Nine,” his voice grew louder, rattling my bones, “they were butchered by rebels who thought the loss of their lives aided in their barbaric cause.”

I shook my head. “Leo, please⁠—”

He looked down at me, his face indifferent. “Don’t beg, Bryn, it’s beneath you.”

I sucked in a breath, trying again to find even the slightest hint of my power.

“It’s simple, Bryn. Rogues display the worst parts of human nature we all carry deep within us. They want to overthrow the royal line because they believe they are more worthy to rule. They don’t possess powers themselves, so they deem it unnatural. But they’re wrong. The Earth that gives them life itself bestows her magic as she sees fit. The Rogues are soulless humans who kill for their cause. They need to be eradicated. They don’t deserve trials and exile. They only deserve death.”

I laughed at this. And not a soft chuckle, but a hysterical cackle. I was astounded by his hypocrisy. “Coming from the man who is acting just like them.”

Leo roared, “I am nothing like them!” He dropped low in front of me, grabbing my chin. “The Earth gave me the power of a god so that I would rule as one.”