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Zach nodded. “She wants to become one of us, but Sargon has been hesitant. The alliance with her father’s kingdom is already weak. If we changed her, it would cause a lot of problems. He can’t turn her down, however, as she’s his main tie to Asland.”
“Why does he care about a mortal kingdom?” I asked.
“He’s always had plans of taking over more land,” Sebastian answered. “We’re only one land, and while no one has dared attack us for centuries, the mortals’ weapons and technology only grow stronger with each passing year. So he’s concerned, and rightly so, about an attack. Mortals are tired of vampires. Most want us wiped off the face of the planet.”
“So he wants to invade and take over Asland?”
“Yes.” Sebastian shoved his hands in his pockets. “With more space, he can change more people into vampires, strengthening our numbers. It’s the same reason he holds the tournaments here.”
“Tournaments?”
Erianna answered this time. “Of course, you don’t know. Every year, the king holds a big event where enslaved mortals can come and fight for their freedom. They’re given different weapons, evaluated on their skills, and made to fight each other until the strongest are left. Sargon then appoints them to our armies. He turns seven of them. It’s why he ensures no one is shadow kissed without his approval, even though Nightshade has often turned people behind his back. He likes to decide who is turned, making it desirable so people will fight for it. He wants loyalty and thinks controlling everything around him will bring him that.”
“You can’t force loyalty.”
Zach stood, holding the lists in his thin fingers. “Already, you’re sounding like a better ruler than him.”
“Thank you,” I said slowly, unsure how to take his compliment.
Zach continued. “What if we don’t need to kill Kalon? If we can get him to commit a crime instead, it would be enough to have him exiled.”
“But I wanted to kill him,” Erianna complained.
Zach shook his head. “We both know killing him is almost impossible with his security.”
I chimed in. “I bet I can get him alone. He knows who I am and wants me dead. I bet if he had the opportunity, he would.”
Sebastian gave me an incredulous look. “While you’re at it, you can lie down and put that dagger to your throat for him to slit it with.”
“Obviously, I wouldn’t actually be alone. You would be there.”
“It’s too dangerous.”
“But—”
“Zach’s right. Besides, it would be too suspicious. Sargon wouldn’t stop until he found out who was responsible. If we can break the illusion of loyalty Sargon has for his brother, that’s a fate worse than death for Kalon.”
“What’s stopping him from telling the king who I am if he’s exiled?”
Erianna jumped off the window ledge, cleaning her dagger against her sleeve. “He won’t. As long as there is a chance, however small, that he might be able to take the throne one day, he won’t say a thing. He doesn’t want two people to contend with for the throne, and as long as you’re here, you’re a threat, but not enough to make him dangerous. You haven’t told Sargon who you are yet, and I bet that’s driving Kalon crazy. He'll want to know why.”
“But won’t he come back to try to kill me?” I contested, much preferring the idea of a dead Kalon.
“He won’t be able to get close to the castle once he’s exiled. If we can remove him, Hamza, and his military leaders, it’ll be easier to take down the king. Once you’re crowned queen, we can persuade the court’s loyalty to your side. Sebastian’s good at planting ideas in people’s heads.”
Sebastian smiled smugly. “I can send whispers to the right people of your return. I’m careful on who to trust, as you know.”
“What about me? What can I do?”
Zach strode over to me. “Strengthen your powers, so you can fight when the time comes. Speak to your mom. Make sure she’s on our side.”
“She is,” I snapped. “She hates my dad and what’s become of her.”
“Good,” he said nonchalantly. “You will have one job, however.”
“What’s that?”
“Try not to get yourself killed.”
