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He tilted his head, disheveling his dark hair. “I always liked that about you. You’re not afraid of me.” He smirked, then lit another cigar, puffing out a circle of smoke. “It’s both admirable and foolish. You are braver than anyone else here, except perhaps me.”
I repressed the urge to roll my eyes as I watched him lean toward Erianna. “I will help you, if you agree to join our family after.”
She held her breath, and everything in me screamed to run. There was no way Erianna was sacrificing her life to serve these assholes. “No.” I answered for her. “We’re leaving. This isn’t worth it.”
She placed her hand up, then shot me a compassionate, but stern look. “Come on, Salvor. We both know there’s something you want more than me serving you.”
He shook his head, leaning back. “That’s my price,” he said simply, his gaze evaluating her every movement. “The castle is heavily guarded, and Salenia trusts me.” He tapped his cigar on the end of a silver tray, the ash falling into a pile of gray. “Betraying a goddess comes with a heavy price, if this one doesn’t win.” He gestured in my direction. “I need to ensure the price is worth it. I want you in Malum Dominor and, naturally, I would expect the leniency of my queen in matters with my organization.”
My chest tightened as he said the words so dismissively, as if having the queen on his side was just an add on to sweeten the pot. I opened my mouth to protest, but Erianna let out an audible sigh, then nodded.
“If you won’t budge, then fine. I’ll join you,ifyou get us to the castle.”
A sadistic grin curled his lips, and I couldn’t help but wonder what Erianna was letting herself in for, and if they really were more powerful than the monarchy. Because he barely looked at me, as if his prize was Erianna and he was going to do whatever he liked with her. I couldn’t allow it. I wouldn’t. But Erianna stood, agreed on a time for us to meet tomorrow, then swept us both out of there before I could argue.
TWENTY
Sebastian
Azia’sarmsstrainedashe lugged out two leather suitcases into the foyer. I leaned against the banister at the bottom of the staircase, anxiety threading into me as we prepared to leave.
“I used to believe you cared about her,” I said, my eyes flicking up the stairs as Olivia and Erianna discussed their plans in whispers. Someone turned on an old radio from inside the room, and classical music shrouded the rest of the conversation.
Still, I’d heard enough. They were planning on what to do if I tried to stop them. She didn’t trust me. I supposed she was right not to. But I hadn’t decided yet on whether to sabotage their plans on getting to the castle. On the one hand, I didn’t want to kidnap her, which is what it would be. However, I would not let her die, either.
Azia ran his hand over his bad, tattooed head, then sighed. “What makes you think I don’t?”
I supposed them turning on the radio to cover their whispers wasn’t the worst thing—it meant they couldn’t hear us either. “Avyanna,” I said, stalking forward.
“What about her?”
“She didn’t tell you?” I asked, but was entirely unsurprised. “She explained how Olivia will die if she fulfills the prophecy.”
His gaze widened, the browns in his irises shimmering with a gold tint. “I didn’t know.”
The muscle in my jaw feathered, my fingers flexing inside my pockets when I took a step closer. “I am supposed to believeyoudidn’t know? The psychic sorcerer? I know Olivia went to Malum Dominor last night, after your lesson.”
“Zach,” he said, then shook his head. “I assume he was listening.”
“He’s a soldier. He wakes up to the sound of any door opening or closing. He told me you watched her and Erianna leave.”
He put his hands up. “Look, let’s go talk in my office.”
My nose scrunched as I watched him pivot around. “No.”
He halted. Most would think it a mistake to threaten Azia, but I had no fucks to give when it came to Olivia’s safety. “We talk here. You know something, and you better start talking.”
“If Olivia knew you were—”
“Do not hide behind my wife!” I snapped. “I don’t care how powerful you are. When it comes to her, I will take on any sorcerer, vampire or god who I believe means her harm.”
His swallow sounded in my ears. “I don’t want to harm her.”
“I believe you, but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t let her die to fulfill the prophecy you told her about.” I closed the short distance between us. “You are a psychic, so you know what I’ll do to anyone involved if something happens to her.”
“She won’t die,” he drawled. “Avyanna is mistaken.”
“Is she?” I asked. “Olivia may believe everything that comes out of your mouth, but I remember you before all of this, hanging around Sargon’s side, casting spells you knew would trap mortals in the castle. You aided the vampires for your own gain, and suddenly you’re the savior of Sanmorte and care about destroying the underworld?”
