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“So they are,” she replied with a flirtatious smile. “As is to be expected of Immortal burial grounds.”

So the Ancient Lands were Immortal burial grounds. That meant there had to be Nectar and Venom there.

“You may see the map, but you may not have it,” the Night Prince told the Sun Queen. “And be warned: it is well-guarded.Allof my treasures are well-guarded.”

“I would never dream of stealing from such a gracious host,” she said lightly.

I didn’t believe her for a second.

“We have to steal that map before she does,” I told Zane.

“I thought we were here to steal the grimoire.”

“We can steal both.”

We were at the Vault door. But just as the Night Prince prepared to open it, one of his guards came running down the hallway. “Your Majesty.” He bowed to the Prince. “Your champion and the Sky Prince’s champion have completely disappeared. The arena cameras cannot find them.”

The Night Prince went back down the corridor, moving much faster now. The Sun Queen struggled to keep up in her high-heeled shoes, but the Prince’s guard wasn’t giving her much of a choice. He was practically prodding her with his gun to get her moving. Apparently, the Night Prince wasn’t so lovestruck that he’d allow her to freely wander his castle’s halls.

“What happened?” the Prince asked the guard.

“The Beast punched through the barrier Bella cast around the forest. He then set the trees on fire to force her out of hiding.”

“What the hell is Harker doing?” I growled.

“Trying to get Bella’s attention, I suppose,” replied Zane. “Angels don’t operate like normal people, you know.”

“Yeah, I know,” I sighed. “Well, whatever he’s dying to say to Bella, his impatience is ruining our whole plan to cure her. How are we supposed to get into the Vault now?”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out, Leda. You always do.”

“The Beast drove your champion back to the ruins,” the guard continued, completely oblivious to our secretconversation. “He tackled her, and they both fell into an enormous chasm. They’re deep underground now. The cameras are searching for them, but they’ve had no luck thus far.”

I was sure this was all part of Harker’s plan to save Bella. I reached out with my mind, connecting to him and Bella all the way on the arena world.

I’m going to save you, Bella,he was telling her.I’m going to break your curse.

We already have a plan,she replied.There’s a magic elixir that can cure any curse. The recipe is contained inside a grimoire stored in the Night Prince’s Vault.

I have heard of this elixir,Harker said.It’s quite legendary. It’s also a lie.

What?Bella gasped.

I discovered this shortly before the match. Another fighter told me so. The elixir is a tall tale, a story the Night Prince invented to lure people in, so he can capture them and turn them into gladiators.

No,she said in disbelief.It can’t be.

It’s the bait to the Night Prince’s trap, Bella,he told her.And you walked right into it.

CHAPTER 19

THE RING

Zane and I trailed the Night Prince and his guest back to the Viewing Room. As soon as we were inside, we unraveled our invisibility spells to conserve magic. The other princes were all gathered around the blank television.

“Just when this match was finally starting to get interesting,” one of the princes complained, then sipped from her wine glass.

“Maybe we should release some magic mutant bats into the ruins and see what happens,” another prince suggested to the approval of the others.