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“Callan is.”

“What?” Finn’s eyes flitted to Sloan, who immediately left to go to find the others.

“There is a threat against him,” Scarlett whispered, standing from her chair. “They are set to frame Cassius for the attempt. He says he won’t actually get hurt, but I wouldn’t put anything past him.”

“You are speaking of Mikale?” Finn asked.

“Who else would I be speaking of?”

“That is a grave accusation,” Finn said darkly.

“You witnessed this entire dinner, Finn. You know me. You’ve seen me interact with nearly everyone at that table. Everything that came from my mouth was coded, including the message you picked up on from me,” she whispered quickly. She looped her hand through his arm. “Pretend to lead me from the dining room.” As he did so, she continued, “I don’t care how you do it, but speak to Cassius before this evening is out. Tell him what I told you. He will likely have more information for you.”

“You are not really to marry him, are you?” Finn asked.

“That remains to be seen,” she answered grimly.

They had entered the foyer. This was the first time Scarlett had seen any of the house without Mikale as an escort…and it was short-lived as he strode in the front door. His eyes widened in horror as he saw her on the arm of Finn. She stared at him, victory all over her face. Oh, he was livid.

“My pet,” he ground out, “where are you off to?”

“Shortly after you left, I did indeed begin feeling ill. Prince Callan’s guard is so kind. I feel like I’ve known him for years. Finn offered to escort me to my west room lest I should fall asleep on the floor,” she said, her voice going cold at the words.

“Kind indeed,” Mikale replied, striding for her. “Thank you so much, good sir. I can take her from here.”

Finn gave her hand an extra squeeze as he handed her over to Mikale.

Mikale practically dragged her up the stairs. After the first two flights, he threw her against the wall. “Careful, Lordling,” Scarlett crooned.“Lady Tava begged your sister to show her the dress for the ceremony, lest she see you getting handsy in the hallway.”

His lip curled, but he gripped her elbow again, pushing her down a hall and then up the spiral stairs. When they reached her room, he shoved her in and came in behind her, slamming the door shut.

“Did you think you were clever tonight?” he snarled, advancing on her. She backed up until she was against the wall.

“You told me to interact normally with them,” she spat back. “Did any of them seem fazed by my behavior? Did the prince?”

“What did you tell that guard?”

“We discussed the weather,” she sneered.

His hand slammed into the wall beside her head, and despite herself, she flinched. “If you did anything, everyone you love is dead.”

“You set up this little dinner, Mikale, not me,” she retorted. “Did I not say this was one of your more idiotic endeavors?”

“Quite the contrary,” he smirked, bringing his face close to hers. “This evening did exactly what I desired it to do. It brought you back from wherever you had retreated to.” There was a knock on the door, and two guards entered. One held her tonic. “How shall it be tonight, my pet? Will you take this willingly or by force?”

“Go to hell.”

The shadows curled around her tightly, and she closed her eyes as Mikale stepped back, taking the vial. The guards surged forward and gripped her arms, hauling her to the bed. She kicked and fought, like she’d done every other night since she’d come here. They forced her onto the bed, and Mikale straddled her, tipping the tonic into her mouth and covering it with his hand. “Swallow it,” he snarled.

When she had, he jerked his chin, dismissing the two guards, but he remained atop her. He brought his hand to her face, brushing her hair back. He leaned down, kissing the hollow of her throat. “Tomorrow, my pet,” he whispered. “Tomorrow you shall be mine.”

His head jerked back as the shadows swarmed him, protecting her somehow.

He snarled at her, and she smiled back at him. “Delightful, aren’t they?” she said, lifting her hand to wend her fingers amongst the swirling darkness. “Tell me, how do you plan to control them, then? Since you let them out?”

His eyes widened, and his hand snapped out, gripping her wrist and pulling it painfully to him. “What is this?” he demanded. Confused, she followed his line of sight. The shadows had receded enough to reveal the Mark on her forearm. When she didn’t reply, he snapped again, “Where did you get this?”

“In the depths of sleep,” she replied. Those shadows swelled again and bit at his hand. He dropped her wrist with a hiss.