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He cocked his head. “You’re the one who’s supposed to do it.”
I blinked twice. “I don’t care about what the prophecy says. Azia said timelines change and you have more reason to kill her than me.”
His brows knitted together. “I’d disagree.”
I nodded, not pushing it further. “Regardless, can you steal the elixir? Does she trust you, Niall?” I asked, because even if I didn’t fully trust him, he was all we had. Getting us out of here did little.
“I think so.”
“Then you should know, my father kept it behind the painting of the city hanging in his office. There’s a loose brick. She may have moved it, but it’s a place to start.”
“I’ll look.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, shocked the words were leaving my lips, especially to him. “Remember, kill Avyanna too.”
“I will try.” He stood, then without so much as a whisper, raced out of the dungeon, leaving us alone in a pitch black void.
Erianna sighed. “You did the right thing before you ask,” she said, sensing my unspoken question. “Us escaping would raise suspicion and she would get rid of the elixir for good, if she hasn’t already. I’m too weak to move and I can’t fly. You don’t have your magic, and there are a hundred guards out there. I’m not sure how he even got in here, but I’m sure it wasn’t an easy feat. Unless Salenia sent him.”
I shook my head, but my intuition told me he was being genuine. “I could feel his emotions from the moment he came in here. He’s scared, and angry. I think he’s telling the truth. Even if he’s not, it’s no secret that we are planning on killing Salenia, or even that we’re after the elixir. Avyanna would have told her. He knows nothing she doesn’t already. But, as far as she’s aware, we’re locked away here and safe.”
I shut my mouth as the door opened in the distance, footsteps nearing as a guard came to check on us. I wouldn’t be surprised if the check-ins didn’t become more frequent. Salenia was paranoid, and having us here, under her control, meant she felt safer than she had since finding out I was alive.
That was exactly how I needed her to stay. I only hoped Niall succeeded.
THIRTY
Niall
Iwalkedtotheprivate dinner with Salenia, the elixir in my pocket. I was surprised it was exactly where Seraphina said it would be last night. I’d filled Elizabeth on the plan, who was still intent on staying and becoming a vampire. Fortunately, Carla had come back, a little more in control of her blood lust, that afternoon. She’d filled us in on Salenia’s plans for the day.
So while she’d gone down to the dungeons to torture Olivia and Erianna, I snuck off to find the elixir. Then Carla told me about the private dinner Salenia had planned for the two of us, and finally the stars were aligning.
I opened the door to the small room where Sargon used to hold dinner parties and spotted Salenia. “Kill her yet?”
Ah. That’s what this was about. “I’m about to.”
She rolled her eyes up. “I’ve given you more than enough time.”
“After this dinner,” I said. “I wanted to feed from her one last time.”
She didn’t look entirely convinced, but sighed anyway. “I’m glad,” she said, but didn’t elaborate when she met my stare. “I hope you didn’t drink too much.”
I paced the length of the table, casting my gaze to the mortal, Alana, then to the fire. The flames in the fireplace chased each other up and down, casting flickering shadows across the room. The smell of wood smoke was thick. The amber light from the hearth warmed my skin and invited me to sit in one of the leather chairs on either side of the mahogany table. The polished wood was intricately carved with sigils of emperor demons from the underworld. On top of it rested two silver goblets that glittered when they caught the firelight.
Salenia's gaze flicked to the lone mortal in the corner of the room, giving away a silent demand. She clicked her fingers and commanded, “Fill it up.”
Alana's gaze held mine across the room, dark and smoldering as if we were alone together. Her lips curled into a knowing smile as memories of our times in the feeding room together floated back.
Alana took an ivory-handled knife from her pocket and drew it across her palm swiftly. A line of crimson appeared along her skin, and she tilted her hand over my goblet, letting her blood flow freely. The smell was intoxicating, and my fangs protruded from my gums.
I slowly turned my head to meet Salenia's gaze. She looked at me with wide, blue eyes. I forced a smile and picked up her goblet. “My queen,” I said softly, lifting the cup slightly. “Allow me to serve you a drink.”
Salenia's eyes flashed as she studied me, then she slowly nodded. The light in the room shifted and glinted off her crown, nestled high atop a head of blonde hair. “I hoped you hadn’t killed the mortal,” she announced. “I need her alive,” she finally explained her earlier statement.
My chest tightened and my heart pounded against my ribcage as I made my way to the drinks cabinet. “Why do you need her?” I asked, trying to keep the panic from my tone.
“Where's my drink?” she asked, not answering my question.
