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For the first time, it looked like I finally had the bitch where I wanted her. I had been sitting on that juicy piece of gossip for some time—it was just never the right time to use it. Nor did it hold as much weight as I was implying.

Playtime is over.As fun as messing with her was, I had someone much more important waiting for me.

“Try that shit again, and I’ll skin you, understand?” I asked in a whisper and pushed the knife into the hard part of her chest. “This is a warning.”

Before she had a chance to say anything else, I threw the knife across the room and pushed myself off the bed.

“Don’t think you’re getting off easy!” I told her as I left the room with a wicked laugh. The frustrated scream she let out only amused me more.

I’m coming for you, little mouse.

Aurelia

“What anhonor!” A redheaded woman greeted me at the entrance to Vesper’s old room. It was much smaller than I imagined, with only enough room for two twin beds, a small walkway between them, and a single end table for both.

It’s not like I made day trips to the guard quarters, though, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

It certainly wasn’t the smell of magic. It was barely there and artfully hidden by the smell of various herbs and the smell of roses from the front garden, but I could still sense it.

Perfect.

The woman was lying in her bed with one arm behind her head and gave me a lazy smile. She had an air about her that had my skin itching. She didn’t even bother trying to get up to greet me.

I immediately disliked her.

“Where is she?” I demanded, putting my hands on my hips. She had the gall to look amused by my actions.

She sat up, holding her weight on her elbows. A feral-like smile spread across her face, and a light flashed across her eyes. Shewasenjoying the little one-sided game she was playing.

Is this how Vesper felt the entire time we were together?

I would have almost felt bad for the little mouse if I didn’t know how much she secretly liked the games we played. I, on the other hand, didn’t have time for whatever it was this woman was trying to do. I had to get Vesper back before I moved on.

There was something so infuriating about her little disappearing act that I needed to understand, or else I might truly go mad.

“She was discharged, princess, didn’t you hea?—”

“Enough with the bullshit, witch. I know you know more than you’re letting on.”

She let out a laugh and tilted her head to the side.

“Oh? How curious.”

Curious.I wanted to snort at her attitude.

“Both you and Vesper sucked at hiding this little secret of yours,” I said with a smile. “But I’m different. Tell me where she is, and I’ll keep this secret for you.”

She shook her head and stretched out on the bed, her movements languid and far too feral for my liking. She was unpredictable, even more so than her roommate.

Something zapped my spine.A warning.She was dangerous.

“How about we make a sweeter deal?” She waved her hand in the air. “How about…you owe me asinglefavor?”

This time, I truly did laugh aloud.What the fuck is she on?

“You don’t just demand afavorfromme,” I said with a huff. “Did you forget who I am?”

“No,” she replied, her smile dropping. “But I think you may have.”