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“Not until after he delivered you to me,” Aven said, brushing some invisible speck from the shoulder of his leathery, collared vest. “He made that choice all on his own.”

Alex had been right to be suspicious of the Meyarin councillor’s strange behaviour up in Draekora. And yet, having heard Gaiel’s story about Vaera, she couldn’t begrudge him for trying to get the jump on her. She should have listened to her instincts and never dropped her guard. But then again, she’d never heard of a powder that could knock someone out with a single breath. If she ever made it out ofTaevarg—a very unlikely ‘if’—she’d have to find out what that stuff was.

“As you can see,” Aven continued, “I’ve brought along a few friends to witness our auspicious reunion. Calista, Gerald and Marcus you already know. My personal guards need not concern you, but there are two others here who I would like to introduce.”

At what must have been a mental command, the unknown male stepped forward. Dark-skinned and as thin as a beanpole, he looked to be only a few years older than Alex, though she knew that if he had been Claimed a while, his age was relative.

“This is Grimm Helkin,” Aven said, and Alex jerked against her chains in recognition of the name. “We have him to thank for my dear brother’s current state of existence.”

Aven’s expression soured, enough for Alex to know he would have killed Roka without hesitation if Lady Mystique hadn’t swept the comatose prince away to Draekora.

“Grimm is a relatively new addition to my cause,” Aven went on, “but there’s someone else here who has been loyal to me for millennia. Mytruebrother.”

Aven motioned for Niyx to step forward, using a hand gesture since he had no mental link to him.

“Alexandra, meet Niyx Raedon,” Aven said, as Niyx’s eyes bore into her own. “He has suffered for the cause of theGarsethfor thousands of years, but he has not been without reward, since he had the honour of murdering my own father. Niyx Kingslayer, as he is now known. A worthy title, for a worthy Meyarin.”

Aven clapped a proud hand on his friend’s shoulder, and since he was looking at Alex, he didn’t see Niyx grimace with disgust.

Swallowing her trepidation, Alex said to Aven, “As nice as it is to meet your buddies, how about you let me go and we continue this discussion elsewhere?”Preferably when I’m not chained and can at least try and fight my way out of the city, Alex added to herself.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” Aven said with feigned apology. “I can’t risk that hound of yours stealing you to safety before I’m satisfied. Thetraesossurrounding us wards against your mutt’s travelling abilities and she is much too intelligent to attempt a rescue without being able to spirit you away immediately.”

Alex shot a glare at Marcus, realising he must have asked about Soraya after seeing her in Graevale and shared what he’d learned.

She turned back to Aven and said, “What did you mean about being satisfied? You have to know by now that I won’t tell you anything.” Not that there was much left that he didn’t know, since Marcus would have already passed on everything he’d heard during his time with the elders. All Alex had left were the secrets he couldn’t possibly know about—her trip to the past, her familiarity with Niyx, how she’d Released Jordan, Kaiden’s dangerous gift and her lessons with Athora. The power of Aven’s blood lingering in her veins was also a mystery to him, though by now he had to at least have some ideas about that.

“We’re past the stage where I care what you have to say, Alexandra,” Aven said. “I’m in a position to receive everything I’ve ever desired, so I no longer need anything from you, least of all answers to questions that now mean little to me.”

That surprised Alex, just as it filled her with anxiety. If he wasn’t there to interrogate her, then whatdidhe want?

Seeing the question in her gaze, a dark smile touched his lips. “You have been a thorn in my side ever since I met you,” he said in a sinister voice. “As much as I want you wiped from the face of this world, death would be too good for you. You have to suffer first.”

His golden eyes were lit with anticipation, causing shivers of foreboding to travel down Alex’s spine.

“Yes,” he said, his voice a contemplative whisper, as if he was imagining it playing out in his mind. “You will suffer physically first, until all you know is pain. Then you will suffer the anguish that comes with seeing those you love die. And if you survive longer than that, you will suffer until you are the last of your filthy race—indeed, perhaps the last mortal remaining in this world—and only then will I show you mercy and end your agony myself.”

Breathing raggedly at the picture he’d just laid out, Alex couldn’t help saying, “If that ending is your idea of mercy, then something has gone seriously wrong with your education.”

For a second, Alex thought the horrified groan she heard was out loud, but then she realised it was Niyx’s response to her comment across their mental link.

What in the name of the light are you thinking?he demanded.Stars, Aeylia—don’t antagonise him!

You heard him, Alex returned.He’s going to make me suffer no matter what I say. I might as well get a few licks in while I’ve still got the chance.

Don’t talk like that, he said in a harsh voice.We’re going to get you out of here.

Niyx, she said softly,we both know it’s not looking good.

“Perhaps mercy was the wrong word, but we won’t know until that day comes,” Aven said, the only evidence of his irritation at her blithe remark being a warning flash of his eyes. “In the meantime, I must admit, I’m impatient to get started. These last few weeks have been spent tediously waiting for the perfect time to carry out my next move, but now that you have failed to align the mortal races—don’t look so surprised, Alexandra, of course I know about that—I can finally take action.” His expression turned eager as he finished, “A new dawn is coming for this world, starting tomorrow when Medora will finally begin to feel the wrath of Meya.”

He stepped closer until he was right in her face. “From tomorrow, the mortals will experience pain unlike anything they’ve ever known. But you, my dear…” He reached out and trailed his fingertip along the curve of her cheek, his heated, hateful eyes boring into her own, “… your pain shall begin now.”

Stepping back just as suddenly as he’d moved forward, Aven turned to Niyx.

“Make her bleed. I want her in agony, but keep her alive.”

It was an order, one that a Claimed follower would be forced to carry out immediately.