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Aetas’ eyebrow rose as the smile turned to a smirk. I looked between the two of them, glancing over at Hunter before bringing my focus back to the two men who were awaiting my answer.
“I think it would be an honor to tie with our leader.”
“Excellent.” Aetas led us forward again and I couldn’t stop the sickening feeling that was taking over. “This is going to be a great alliance between the four of us,” Aetas continued. “You and I will tie, and the queen and Hunter will do the same. All four of us will come together and the three of you will dominate our world. It is a great partnership.”
“Wait.” Marko’s pulled his arm free of our leader as we stopped at the table. “Tessa and Hunter?”
“Of course,” Aetas said, firmly. “Hunter is my only creation. He is part of me. He will most certainly rise to the top when his powers develop. That is fact. In time, the three of you may be my top members at headquarters. For all of us to be close is essential, wouldn’t you agree?”
Marko’s stare left Aetas to settle on Hunter. The hatred was evident on both sides as the men locked eyes.
“It’s time to forget the past and move forward. You are king, and Tessalyn, you’re queen. I’ve explained that to Hunter and it may be hard for him to understand now, but as he grows older, he will come to accept this and find his own concubine. Then there will be no more feuds. No more jealousy. We can make this work.”
Still, Marko kept his sights on Hunter. I cleared my throat, turning to Aetas. “You talk as if we are not in a war. As if behind these walls, the humans aren’t planning another attack on our city. Are you saying you will stop this impending battle? Will we all go back into hiding and forgotten from human minds?”
The members around us stopped talking, turning their attention to our leader. It was enough to even have Marko and Hunter focused on Aetas.
“We will not speak of such things during Marko’s celebration. Besides, we have plenty of time before we have to worry about war.”
“Do we?” Marie closed in at my side. “Do we have time, Your Highness? I don’t feel as though we do. The very fabric of human society is unraveling and if we close our eyes to it, I’m afraid it may be a mistake on our part. If you ask me, we’re already there.”
“Someone’s suddenly become brave.” Aetas’ head cocked to the side as he peered into Marie’s lowering face. Her eyes darted up through her lashes, but she wouldn’t meet his stare.
“I’m sorry if I spoke out of turn.”
“No, no,” he whispered, reaching to bring her face back up. You’re close to the king and queen. They trust you. Perhaps there’s a reason.”
Marie glanced over at me.
“She is to be trusted. Her visions are very powerful and their accuracy is usually dead on.”
“Are they? I am in need of someone new.”
Aetas’ voice was almost silent as he whispered the words. Alarm flashed over Marie’s features, but she straightened and met his gaze head on. For seconds they were silent and I knew Aetas had breached her walls and was breaking through her memories and predictions. When he blinked and turned to me, I barely caught Marie’s falling form.
“I’m impressed, even if she is a bit … delayed. I’m sorry to take her, but it is vital she move to headquarters and associate herself with my members. To prepare.”
“Prepare?”
Aetas nodded. “Her gift is only given to a few and she needs to strengthen it. Right now she’s the strongest alive. It’s best if I keep it that way. She’ll become part of my circle.”
The shock hit me hard, but Marie, harder. Her hand clutched to my bicep as she tried to stay steady on her feet.
“I’m … honored. I …” Her eyes flickered to me and I quickly shook my head, reading her thoughts from our tie.
“You will not apologize or worry for leaving us.” I smiled, brushing back the dark curl that had escaped the pins holding her hair back. “You’re going to show them who you are, and you’re going to wow them with your gift. This was meant to happen, Marie. This is your path.”
I leaned forward, pressing my lips against her cheek.
“It wouldn’t be if it weren’t for you. You,” she said, lowering her voice, “are destined for great things, but you know that.”
“I believe we all do,” Aetas said, cutting in. “Let’s sit, shall we. Everyone that is, but our queen. She will be our first entertainment for the night.”
The slight grin on my face fell. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“You will sing for your king. For all of us. I do believe you know how.”
“But … I don’t sing anymore. I mean, not since my change.”
