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“I know you’re a Child of Prophecy,” he continued, “as your father was before you. And that, like your father, you took command of the Nor Doruvian army at a young age.” He drew a deep breath. “I know he was cruel and…powerful. More powerful than even a vampire of the warrior class should be.”

I waited, knowing I should kill him for what he was about to say next.

“I know he possessed unusual abilities…and that you share them.”

I held his stare. “Like the power to speak in a person’s mind?” I asked in his head.

He paled. His mouth worked as he tried to answer, eventually managing only a whispered “yes.”

“You dug too deep in the Brotherhood’s towers,” I said aloud. And those corrupt fuckers had been doing far more than just predicting births.

“I know, my lord.”

“They won’t rest until you’re dead.”

“I know that too.”

I sat back, and he sucked in a sharp breath, no doubt expecting a weapon to fly at his throat. When I merely settled more deeply in my chair, his swallow was an audible gulp.

“I assume you don’t wish to die, Jordan of Twyl.”

“No, my lord,” he choked out. “I very much want to stay alive.”

“You’ll have to pledge your loyalty to me. Completely.”

“You have it, Lord Varick.”

“You’ll serve me as my sworn man.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“If you break your oath, I’ll kill you. It won’t be a quick or easy death.”

His eyes closed briefly. “I understand.”

The blade of my dagger thunked into the table in front of him, making him yelp and clutch at the front of his robes. His gaze bounced between my hand and the quivering hilt, like he couldn’t quite believe I’d moved without him seeing it.

“Swear it,” I said, resettling in my chair.

“I…”

“Grip the blade and swear it on your blood.”

Wincing, he curled his fingers around the dagger. With a grimace, he squeezed until blood trickled between his fingers. “I swear it,” he rasped. “I pledge my complete loyalty to you, General Lord Varick of Lar Keiren, Commander of the Army of Nor Doru. I am at your service, for whatever you require. I swear it on my blood.”

Not bad for a human.

“The knowledge of my ancestry—and my gift of Voice—doesn’t leave this room.”

“It won’t.”

I nodded. “Now, tell me everything you’re not supposed to know about House Lar Satha.”

Chapter Thirteen

GIVEN

“Anything else, Princess?”