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Alex recoiled at his caustic words. But judging by the way everyone else suddenly looked away and attempted to hide their smiles, it seemed he was an abrasive man by nature. She decided to roll with it and follow the lead of those around the table—those of whom she actually liked.

“Your loss,” she said, determined to keep her voice casual. “But if you change your mind, I have loads of entertaining stories about him.”

Jaxon’s eyes narrowed into slits. “Duly noted.”

Coughing slightly—to hide what Alex was certain was a laugh—the king jumped in again. “Now that the introductions have been made, I believe it’s your turn, Alex.”

Leaning forward, Alex placed her hands on the table as she scanned their faces. “Since you’re all here, I gather you’ve already heard something about what I have to say.” She waited for their nods before she continued, “Then I’m sorry to confirm that last Sunday, Aven Dalmarta took control of Meya and all those who didn’t manage to flee in time.”

Murmurs rippled around the room, but Alex pressed on.

“King Astophe was killed,” she said quietly, hearing gasps in response. “And Prince Roka has been…” She looked down and had to take a steadying breath before she managed to finish, “He’s indisposed. Indefinitely.” She raised her eyes again. “I’m sure I don’t need to explain just how dire the circumstances are, but it gets worse. Worse than you could possibly imagine. And that’s why I’m here today—because I need your help.”

The room was silent and brimming with tension. Finally, the queen spoke, her voice a calming balm against the raging storm within Alex.

“Why don’t you start at the beginning, sweetheart,” Osmada said. “None of us will interrupt you. And once you’re finished, we’ll come up with a plan to make everything better. Don’t you worry, Alex. Everything will be all right.”

Alex had to blink back tears in the face of the queen’s kindness. But despite Osmada’s words, Alex knew no such assurances could be made. Because unless she found a way to change the future,nothingwould be all right.

Start at the beginning, Alex repeated in her mind. That was asking a lot, given the many secrets she held. But in order for them to trust her, she needed to be as honest as she could. So she took yet another deep breath, opened her mouth and began her unlikely tale.

Three

“Forgive me for being the voice ofreason here,” Jaxon said, sounding anything but apologetic, “but you’ve just told us that not only are you from another world entirely, you also overcame a blood-bonding ritual that has—supposedly—left you with the same abilities as an immortal being. A ritual you claim has been performed on an entire city of Meyarins, all of whom are now under the mind control of their evil overlord.” He raised his eyebrows and glanced around the table. “Does anyone else have difficulty believing this preposterous account of teenage fancy?”

“In my defence,” Alex said, struggling to keep her tone diplomatic, “I never used the words ‘evil overlord’. You came up with that on your own.”

The advisor glowered at her. “Indeed. Though the implication was there.”

“Oh, I’m not arguing,” Alex returned. “That’s exactly what Aven is. But you already knew that, otherwise none of you would be here for this meeting.”

As promised, Alex had told them everything—or at least, everything they needed to know, leaving out her visit to the past just as she had with her teachers.

“Let’s say we believe you,” General Drock said in his gruff voice. “What exactly would you have us do? If Aven is the threat you claim he is, we’re already as good as dead.”

Alex grimaced, knowing he wasn’t far off the mark.

“I’d rather go back to the vision you saw,” Commander Nisha cut in, her focus solely on Alex. “You said the Library showed you a possible future and claimed it would come true if you—specificallyyou—fail to stop Aven?”

When Alex nodded, albeit reluctantly, it was Jaxon who spoke up again.

“How ludicrous.” His weathered face was filled with scorn. “The child obviously has delusions of grandeur. I don’t know why we’re listening to her when she’s clearly an attention seeker of the worst kind.”

It was only William’s warning glance coupled with a comforting squeeze from Jeera that kept Alex from lashing out at the older man.

“Whether you choose to believe me or not,” she said, keeping her voice level, “the truth will reveal itself in time. And that’s why I’m here today—so that you’re prepared when that time comes.”

Jaxon sneered his disbelief, but before he could interject, Alex continued, “Worst-case scenario and Iaman attention-seeking brat, then what’s the harm in making a few contingency plans?”

“The kid does have a point,” Drock mused. “Whether or not her account is true, it won’t hurt to be extra vigilant.”

“It’s not like she’s asking us to plan an offensive attack against Meya,” Tyson put in. “She’s just suggesting we increase our defences in preparation for when Aven comes for us.”

Alex tried not to show how relieved she was by both generals’ support. Tyson in particular, she knew, was somehow connected to Hunter, and since Hunter trusted Alex, it was clear that Tyson was of the same mind.

“What would such preparations require?” asked the king, the shadows beneath his eyes further darkened by this new burden.

“The cities are already well defended, but we should send out troops to protect the smaller villages and lesser populated townships,” Tyson said.