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Dead. A blink and they were all dead.
Saoirse barely risked a breath, her heart pounding in her chest as she gazed upon the four bodies.
Hundreds had just witnessed Niall murder the council members who’d served in Ruadhán for centuries. Centuries. Unless they’d lied about their ages somehow. But—no one said a word.
Calm, she drilled into herself. Calm, calm, calm. A warrior didn’t have room for panic.
She wasn’t leaving her warriors here. No way in hell. Niall had lost his mind completely.
But he’d not targeted her or Ellie or even Gavin. Which meant the council were the ones who’d had knowledge of the dungeons. And Niall still thought they were the only ones.
But that didn’t mean the rest of them were safe.
Niall brushed a piece of lint from his sleeve and continued as if he’d done nothing more than crumple a sheet of paper. “Now that the proper sentence for treason had been carried out, we can move on to more important matters.” He stepped forward and those closest to him stepped back. Niall either didn’t seem to notice or the male didn’t care.
“I’ve already sent my warriors to collect our queen. She has been manipulated and lied to and now believes me an enemy. Let me assure you, wrongs will be set right and the one accompanying her will be tried as a traitor.”
Saoirse felt the color drain from her face. Her eyes drifted toward the four bodies behind Niall. She knew exactly what waited for Talon if he returned. It was a good thing they’d already made other plans, but it also meant they needed to get everyone out of this city a lot faster than originally anticipated.
Raevina had taken care of the children, courtesy of a surprise revelation Saoirse still couldn’t wrap her head around. But there were the other half-breeds to consider. Arianna wouldn’t want them left behind.
Niall stood before them, his carefully crafted mask gone. Now she saw a male who’d grown bored of his own game. He was prepared to take what he wanted and eliminate any who stood in his way.
And he wanted Arianna.
Saoirse glanced outside, trying to judge the sun. Would Raevina have found Arianna by now, or had she run into trouble with Niall’s warriors? Had they located and freed Rion? Were the three of them on their way to the safe house?
And if not . . . if things turned completely upside down and Niall captured Arianna too, what would the female be willing to sacrifice in order to save her friends? With the queen in his clutches, no one would dare stand against Niall for fear of him hurting her.
Niall’s voice rose again. “If you look around at those in this room, you’ll notice we’re missing an ambassador.” His fingers flexed. A tic of frustration. “Which tells me the council are not the only ones who have betrayed me.” Niall turned to Ellie then and Saoirse’s heart jolted. He offered the young female a wicked smile that sent a chill skittering down Saoirse’s spine. How did he know? How many spies roamed the manor halls?
“Tell me where Raevina is and what she’s plotting.”
Ellie made a show of looking to those standing at her side. Their weapons were still out. “You’re asking me?”
“Do not play dumb with me. I want to know what that miserable wretch is planning.” Niall stepped forward. “Does she hope Arianna will find The Demon? Do they plan to reconvene at a remote location then return to force me to pay for the crimes they imagine I’ve committed?”
That was exactly Arianna’s plan. Saoirse looked at the bodies again. Not that it would do much good now.
Niall laughed, though it was more to himself. “You think overthrowing me would go over so easily? I’ve been with these people for centuries. They’ve lived in luxury because of my decisions. They’ve eaten well and slept in warm beds and wanted for absolutely nothing because of me.”
“And yet you’re not their king.”
The room drew in a collective breath as the two stared one another down. If Ellie was trying to make Niall lose his composure, she might have just succeeded. One of his fists clenched and for a moment, Saoirse thought she felt that storm again. She gripped her weapon harder. Surely he wouldn’t kill the ambassador of Móirín. It would incite a war that could cripple everything he’d worked for.
But even that knowledge, despite his anger, wasn’t lost on him. Niall stepped back and plastered a fake smile on his face.
“I didn’t want to have to resort to this.” Niall raised his hand and a pair of guards grabbed a half-breed from the crowd. The male cried out and fought against the strong arms dragging him toward Niall. The crowd only watched, their eyes darting from Niall to Ellie and back.
Did Ellie know him? Her brow had furrowed, but recognition didn’t spark across Ellie’s face. Kirian was standing at her side, so it wasn’t the male she loved. The guards forced the half-breed to his knees. He was already shaking, his eyes wide with terror.
“Here’s how this is going to unfold.” Niall whipped out a blade and fast as the wind itself, sliced it across the male’s throat, opening a bright red line. Saoirse didn’t turn away. The half-breed reached for his neck, trying to hold the blood in. He coughed once, spraying crimson over the smooth marble, then his head hit the hard floor. Someone in the crowd screamed and hushed sounds echoed to calm the female.
A servant handed Niall a towel and he cleaned his blade before sliding it back in the sheath at his side. He’d somehow hidden the long sword, beneath his clothes. Another glamour?
Niall clicked his tongue. “Such a waste, but he can always be replaced.” He turned as if the male meant nothing, but Ellie was shaking, her fists balled tight. Saoirse swore she could scent Ellie’s magic in the air.
“Every,” Niall made a show of thinking, “let’s say, thirty minutes, I’m going to kill a former slave until you,” he pointed at Ellie, “tell me what I want to know.”
