Total pages in book: 401
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Attes rolled his eyes.
Thorne’s smile kicked up a notch when his attention returned to me. “Until next time.”
“I hope there isn’t—”
Thorne disappeared, and the tear closed behind him, leaving only the faint smell of burnt ozone.
Malik let go of Delano. The wolven spun and snapped at him. Malik narrowed his eyes. “Next time, I’ll let you get obliterated by a Fate.”
Delano huffed and then bounded over to me. I reached down to pet him.
“So,” Kieran said, turning to us. “That’s a Fate?”
“Unfortunately,” Attes said. “And they are all varying degrees of that.”
My head cut toward him. “Do you know how many there are? I’ve met that jackass, Holland, and Lirian.”
“There’s also Aydun,” Casteel said.
“I know of two more.” Attes frowned. “Why?”
I let out an aggravated breath. “I need to know how many can die before the realms unravel.”
“Fucking gods,” muttered Malik as Attes slowly turned to me.
“Well, let’s hope,” Casteel stated, his voice threaded with disdain as shadowy essence flashed in his eyes, “that the realms can afford to lose two.”
“Someone has betrayed us,” Casteel announced to the packed Solar, his fingers idly spinning a bloodstone blade. “And it has to be someone in the chamber while we discussed our plans regarding Pensdurth.”
We’d returned to the Solar shortly after the incident with Thorne. The Shadow Council had been summoned, with the edition of Valyn, Hisa, and Attes. We were missing Perry since he was with his father and the unofficial members—Tawny and Reaver. Casteel’s father and the Commander of the Crown’s Guard were the only two Casteel, Kieran, and I agreed could be trusted beyond doubt.
“Are we positive the thing masquerading as Isbeth was telling the truth?” Valyn questioned from where he sat across from Casteel on the other side of Kieran. “It could’ve just been an educated guess.”
“It could’ve been,” Kieran replied, shifting in his chair. “But add that to how Isbeth—the one we know was truly her—knew about our plans regarding Oak Ambler, and it lessens the odds that she made two educated guesses.”
Casteel’s attention shifted to his brother. “Were you aware of anyone who could’ve been working with the Blood Crown?”
Malik shook his head. “If someone told Isbeth about your plans to arrive in Oak Ambler earlier than expected, she never let on.” His half-closed hand rapped silently off the table. “I know I’ve said this already, but she wasn’t forthcoming with her plans—whether she didn’t fully trust me or because she simply chose not to. The only one she held counsel with was Callum.”
I exhaled slowly at the mention of the Revenant. My…brother. No. That didn’t sound or feel right.
Several tight braids fell against Vonetta’s cheek as she leaned forward. “I can think of three who could be the rat.” Her winter-blue eyes met mine. “And I bet you can think of the same.”
“Murin, Gayla, and Aylard,” I stated.
“It’s got to be one of them,” she said, glancing around the table. Emil and Naill nodded. “Possibly more than one.”
Valyn swore as he exchanged a look with Hisa. “I know the three you’ve named have been…difficult to deal with.”
“Difficult?” huffed Vonetta.
“But for them to not only be working with the Blood Crown but also with Kolis?” he said, dragging two fingers over his brow. “That’s the kind of treason that goes beyond politics.”
“I think we can safely assume the Blood Crown and Kolis are one and the same at this point. But Alastir was also conspiring with the Blood Crown,” Casteel reminded him as he leaned forward and picked up the water carafe. “He did so because he believed it was in Atlantia’s best interests.” He topped off my glass, then sat back, once more spinning the dagger with effortless precision. “It’s possible this person believes the same.”
“Alastir belonged to the Unseen—not that I’m excusing his actions by stating that.” Valyn lowered his hand. “Only pointing out that there was significant history there.”
“Who’s to say there hasn’t been history with this person?” Kieran countered. “We don’t know how long they’ve been feeding information to the Blood Crown.”
“It’s hard to think of any of them being responsible. Even Aylard,” Hisa said, speaking for the first time since the meeting had been called. “But I swear to you.” Her steely gaze met mine and then Casteel’s. “I will find out who it is.”
“I’d love to assist,” Vonetta offered.
Hisa nodded.
Flashing a tight smile that promised violence, Vonetta leaned back and let her elbows rest on the arms of her chair. On her other side, Emil looked at her with a curve of the lips that said something entirely different.
Likely feeling my stare, Emil’s gaze shifted to me. I raised a brow. He immediately faced forward. Across from him, Naill smirked.
“Finding the traitor in your midst is important,” Attes spoke. He was another who had been quiet until now. “But there is a more pressing issue.”