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“Your days are few, enchantress,” one of the soldiers across from me says. “We look forward to spreading those pretty thighs of yours and seeing what a king’s treasure tastes like.”

It tastes like your death, my siren whispers.

Around me, the night darkens.

Des.

“The next soldier to threaten my wife will be openly eviscerated,” the Bargainer calls at my back, his voice ringing into the night. “And please test me.”

I spin to face him.

The King of the Night paces towards me, clad in his royal regalia. His bronze circlet sits across his forehead, and his three bronze war bands are on prominent display. He even wears a cape, and it should look ridiculous, fluttering and snapping behind him, but if anything it seems only to add to his menacing presence.

Des comes up to my side, his wings fanning out behind him. “I leave for one hour, and look what trouble my mate gets herself into,” he says softly, his eyes sparking. “You’re not even wearing your daggers. Have I not taught you better?” He snaps his fingers, and the daggers and their holsters manifest, fitting themselves around my hips.

Beyond him, Malaki is storming out of the palace. Temper saunters out behind him, looking pleased.

For the moment, Des and I have Somnia’s attention. His people watch from windows and rooftops and the streets below. The soldiers stare sightlessly forward, though I know that behind those seemingly empty eyes, the Thief of Souls lurks.

Des eyes them. “Why are you here?” he asks.

“Is it not custom for new rulers to meet?” a soldier replies.

As I stare out at the sleeping soldiers, I notice that among them are a few casket children. I have to bite back my horror at the sight of their sweet faces covered in gore, their eyes filled with malicious delight. Their bodies might be young, but whatever souls reside within them, they’re ancient, corrupted things.

“The Night Kingdom does not recognize your rule, Thief,” Des says.

For a moment, the only noise is the snapping of the Bargainer’s cape in the wind. Then a low laugh starts up among the soldiers. It raises my gooseflesh, hearing that evil laugh ripple amongst the line of them.

“For now.”

I step forward, my skin burning bright. “You’re so eager to acquire this kingdom, and yet here we all stand. Idareyou to make good on just one of your threats and take me.”

Come for me, and I will rip you to shreds.

I’m not surprised when the air darkens. Des hates when I bait the Thief.

“Tempting,” the soldier says.

I open my arms. “Take me, Thief. Right here, right now. I know you want to.”

“Cherub.”

I ignore the King of the Night as I step closer to the edge of the property.

A great hush has fallen over the crowd. It was silent before, but now it’s as though the world is holding its breath, waiting for something to happen. I can feel a thick, dark magic pooling around me. Whoever the Thief of Souls is, his hunger presses down on me.

The first line of soldiers steps forward, until they’re right up against the fence. Grabbing their weapons, they lift them and strike out at the bronze railing.

Before their steel ever hits the fence, it collides with an invisible barrier—some strong enchantment made to ward off the enemy. The ward doesn’t simply hold, it blasts the line of soldiers back like an explosion, throwing them into their comrades.

Another line of soldiers steps forward and attempts to break the enchantment, and like the first row, they’re blown back. Then a third row comes forward—

“Stop,” I command.

Immediately, the crowd stills.

I look over the men and women, with their empty eyes. “You might be strong, Thief, but today won’t be the day you defeat the Night Kingdom.”