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I scroll down the first story.‘A young woman who was reported missing by her family was found dead today on the grounds of the Ramsden estate, seat of the royal family of the House of Arij. Rumors have been running wild about the orgies and rituals taking place at the palace of the Arij demons ever since the Coalescence and the rise of the four magical races to prominence and power. It’s not the first time that corpses were found on the estate. The body shows signs of violence and torture.’
Sourness is rising in my throat. The article is dated about five years ago. That means Emrys was, what, thirteen? At most.
‘Fingers are pointing at the crown prince of the House of Arij, who has been known for his libertine ways during formal galas and parties.’
Crown prince? Okay, I hadn’t realized. Also hadn’t known that he was famous for his debauched ways, though it shouldn’t surprise me.
‘He is also known for having a taste for pain, not uncommon among hell princes, and is said to enjoy spending time in the dungeons torturing and raping willing and unwilling victims. Unfortunately, no proof has as yet been found of his involvement in any of the killings—”
“I’ll have my phone back now, thank you.” Vanessa yanks it out of my hand.
I reach after it. “I haven’t finished reading yet.”
“Tough.” She shoves it into her pocket. “Learn to read faster.”
I give an incredulous laugh. “You don’t want me reading through the articles? Don’t you think that’s suspicious?”
“I don’t know, is it?” She leans forward in her seat, eyes hard. “Weren’t you supposed to ask them about it?”
Damn.Ashton admitted to harming people, too. In fact, all of them seem to be haunted by guilt.
But I still don’t want to believe it. I’m staring at her, at the fire in her eyes, and suddenly it all clicks into place—the feeling I’ve been having about her, the reason she is here.
“Melissa gave you those articles?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
“I don’t believe you.”
The fire in her eyes flickers. And why am I seeing actual flames dancing in her irises? “Melissa told you she’d get proof. Here it is.”
“Why didn’t she show it to me herself and sent you here instead? Was she also the one who sent you to me when Emrys was in my room and you delivered your little speech then and there?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t have to listen to this. I came to help—”
“You’re the one who has been goading Melissa into hunting the boys. You’re the one with the real grievance, aren’t you? Going to the parties, pretending that you’re hot for them. Always watching them, stalking them—”
“You mean likeyoudo?”
“It’s not the same,” I mutter. “Watching them for any mistake you could use to bring them down, for any information…” I trail off as I sense something from her. “What in the world…?”
Magic. A surge of magic emanating from her—heat and crackling and pain.
Oh crap.
“I don’t need to watch them for info,” she all but spits. “Are you nuts? I just showed you the articles. Whatever info I need is on the net. And besides that, I don’t need the truth to bring them down, remember?”
“You’re a witch,” I whisper.
“What?”
“Your affinity is to fire. You’ve been trying to get to Emrys for a long time, but he’s stubborn, isn’t he? Resisting you at every turn. You couldn’t believe how easily Ophelia got her claws in him when she came back. That must have stung.”
“I don’t…” She gets up, fury in her eyes. “I won’t listen to this. You don’t know what you’re saying.”
“I can sense magic. You didn’t know.”
“You said you’re not an Apollinari!”
