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It was our mother who’d preached to us the importance of balance. Who taught us to regulate the ebb and flow of obsidian.

Raelynn’s hands curled into claws. Outrage darkened her expression, energy crackling.

I thrust out my chin, welcoming her challenge. When we were younger, she used to easily take me in a tussle. But that was before I’d come into my powers. Before I’d grown and started training, riding, and thieving to provide for our people. All while she sat on her royal ass, watching them starve.

“Runa.” Victor’s voice pulled me from the trance. “You looked thirsty.” He thrust another bubbling glass into my hand.

“Ah, the banished vampire leader, never far from our dear Runa’s side,” Idris finally spoke up as if his queen and I were notmoments from throwing down. Then again, he’d probably enjoy such a spectacle.

Raelynn pursed her lips into a false impression of compassion. “Isn’t that cute? The leech waits on her. I believe he’s grown attached to the harlot. Who could blame him? After all, you saw the way she behaved in the tunnels.”

Fire heated my cheeks.

Idris flushed as well, his golden eyes gleaming with a disturbing light. He scanned my figure, muttering in a roughened tone, “It was a titillating display.”

“Disgusting, more like,” Raelynn snorted.

“At least I didn’t sell my soul for a crown.” Before I could sink my claws into my sister’s flesh, Victor pressed against my side. His firm grip circled my waist.

Raelynn puffed her chest. “Are you going to allow a common criminal to speak to me this way?”

Idris ignored her squawking, his focus remaining riveted on the vampire who’d tugged me slightly against him. Static sparked against my flesh where I leaned against Custodis, his palm hot against my stomach.

The king’s eyes narrowed as if he’d felt it, too. “There’s something different about you, vampire. Perhaps the challenges have done you good. Maybe you’re more like the criminals than you believe.”

“I suspect the air here agrees with me,” Custodis answered in a tight tone. “That and the rigorous exercise.”

Idris arched a dubious brow. “Your surname. Custodis. It doesn’t ring any bells. Who are your parents?”

Victor stiffened against me. “I only knew my mother.”

I studied the play between the two men, sirens ringing in my mind. Idris’s sudden interest in the vampire didn’t bode well for any of us.

“You’re a bastard, then.” Idris chuckled. “Oh, that’s rich. Youknow, vampires hold little power here. That’s why so many fled to the mortal realm like cockroaches running from the light.”

Victor’s rage was such that heat radiated from him, searing me through the thin material of my dress.

“Haven’t you heard?” Victor said with tightened lips. “It’s beings like cockroaches who thrive in the dark. It would be foolish to underestimate such a creature.”

“I must admit, I was surprised to see you perform so well in the trials. Even the spectators have taken a liking to you. You’ve become quite the crowd favorite. I can’t fathom why, given that you lack the gifts the others possess. And yet…there’s something about you.”

Idris leaned in, scrutinizing Victor with an unsettling intensity as if sheer focus could unravel his secrets. As if, by staring hard enough, he might glimpse the truth hidden beneath—the very truth we were desperate to conceal. Our plan to escape.

“It’s almost as if the gods are on your side. One might say you succeeded through divine intervention.”

What was Idris talking about? Did he think to accuse Victor of cheating?

“I assure you.” Victor snorted. “The gods are no friends of mine.”

“Where did you say you were from?”

Shouts rang out.

“Out of the way, you stupid bastard.”

“Who are you calling stupid, you sack of bula dung?”

Glass shattered.