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“Yenne,” I finally said, pulling my eyes away from Wren. “Do you have everything you need?”

“Yes, I ‘ave me supplies, just need zee guards,” she answered as her hand patted the satchel draped across her shoulder.

“Good, you and Asrai tether there now. You have an hour; I am not waiting for you to start the raid.” My eyes fell back to the rest of the group, their gaze stuck to me as I clenched my hands behind my back and took a battle stance. The movement felt strange, almost reminiscent.

It was the same move I had seen Asrai make my entire life when commanding the war teams, when training us or talking to leaders of Redelvtum’s House of High. It was like acting out a memory that I had never had, but I squared my shoulders and spoke.

“We are not sneaking in, we are not hiding or trying to do this in secret. We are flying in, and taking them back by force. And once we do, I want them to know it was us that burnedtheir precious city to the ground.” Heads nodded in my direction before splitting off toward the four dragons in the center of the field.

My fingers locked around Andrues’s forearm and his head tilted as he looked down at me. “Do not let Wren out of your sight.”

Chapter forty-six

ATALIIA

Magicseepedfrommypores, unseen energy sliding through the air toward Cyloe and her captor. Invisible tendrils of power flowed toward Dukovich and Landers, an impenetrable wall erecting around their minds to block outside forces.

They would hurt us, I knew that, but I would not make it easy for them.

My head tilted toward Oryn as my eyes followed each step in the slow circle he created around us. Blood filled my mouth and I swallowed it back, teeth locking around my tongue to keep myself from spewing all the threats pouring into my mind.

I had to be smart about this. I had to let him believe he was in control, that I was helpless. But he had no idea that all his guards, all the people of his court that gawked at us like precious gems, no longer had control of their own minds.

They were mine.

Oryn and the High Priestesses were powerful witches, their magic the same as my own with centuries more practice—butI did not see a familiar anywhere near them. I clung to that thought, remembering what Andrues had told me. They were rare, and I was powerful.

Oryn stopped his pacing, standing directly in front of us. With a flick of his wrist, the chains binding Landers tightened, digging into his flesh. Landers let out a hiss through clenched teeth but kept his head high, defiant. A sneer curled his lips despite the pain etched into his features as Oryn chuckled, the sound void of any true amusement.

“I must admit, I am impressed by your resilience,” Oryn said, his voice dripping with false admiration as he looked down at Landers. “Most minds would have broken by now, spilled every secret they had. But not you. No, you cling to your loyalty like a badge of honor.”

Landers did not give him the satisfaction of a response, only held his gaze as blood trickled from his nose over his cracked lips. Oryn’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of annoyance passing over his features at the failed attempt to rile him.

That look, however fleeting, told me everything I needed to know. He liked the game, the taunting in all of this. I was good at playing games and we needed to keep him stalled, keep him talking.

Oryn turned his attention back to me, a sinister glint in his eyes. “But you, little bird, I have a feeling you will sing for me. One way or another.”

His hand shot out, fingers wrapping around my throat as he yanked me to my feet. Snarls tore from Landers and Dukovich, the sound flanking me as a gasp choked out of my lungs. The chains at my wrists rattled, ringing out into the room as my hands instinctively flew up to claw at his grasp. My nails dug into his skin like claws, breaking skin and drawing blood,

He leaned in close, his breath pungent and hot against the shell of my ear. “I will break your little mind, your spirit, untilthere is nothing left of you but a shell. And when I am done, when you have given me everything I want, I will let my men take turns with you until you beg for death.”

He released my throat with a jerk as red exploded into my vision. Saliva saturated my mouth, mixing with the blood trickling from my raw tongue and I launched it at his face. Oryn hissed as my spit connected with his skin and in a blur of movement his hand shot out, the back of it colliding with my cheek. My head snapped to the side, the sound of flesh hitting flesh echoing through the hall as the skin across my bottom lip split open.

Slowly, my head turned back toward him, a smile sliding across my lips and stretching the fresh cut wider. Warm, crimson liquid trickled down my chin as my eyes connected with his.

I dared him to fucking touch me again.

“What exactly have you heard about me, High Priest?” I crooned, holding back the wrath that burned in me.

A low laugh rolled from his lips, his pacing commencing as he thought on his answer. From the corner of my eye, I watched as the noble holding Cyloe’s leash followed every one of my silent commands. Slowly and quietly she removed her collar before slipping through the crowd and out of the room. Cyloe stayed seated, waiting for her moment to sneak away from the prying eyes.

“You are a pure bred witch and one of the most talented skin stealers we have seen in centuries, which makes it so unfortunate that you chose to spy for the wrong side. Not many Hanth have been able to perfect their shifting like you have. Your skills would be rewarded with us.” He lifted a brow in my direction as his words hung in the air. It was an offer and he actually thought it could tempt me.

But he’d taken my bait and now I knew he didn’t know I had a familiar, or at least he wasn’t revealing that information. But I’d have to risk it.

A laugh bubbled up from my chest, the sound harsh and mocking in the vaulted hall. “You think I would ever join you? After what you’ve done?” I shook my head, disbelief etched into my features. “I may be a lot of things, but I am no traitor.”

Disdain filled his gaze. He stepped closer, his hand reaching up to my hair and letting his fingers slip through the strands as his eyes raked over my face. “Soon enough, you will learn your place.”