Page 124

Anysa and I turned to the mage-in-waiting.

She took our attention as permission to continue. “King Howar seemed just as surprised as we all were at the explosions. I don’t think he knew about them.”

Maxar, Zandren, Groy, Leno, and Drak joined us, but then we felt bad for Ryden being kept out of the loop and moved to stand near the rear of the Honda with the hatch open so he could hear.

The mage-in-waiting repeated what she said.

“You think that explosion was Lerris’s doing?” I asked. “Like he planned to take out Howar as well?”

“Then why would he send in vampires?” Drak asked. “Why not demons? Or more Phaceanesh, who seem to have some absurd loyalty to him.”

That was a good question. It didn’t make sense for it to be Lerris if regular daywalker vampires came in after and during the explosions.

“You’re sure Howar looked confused?” I asked the redheaded mage.

She nodded. “A few vampires escaped with him too. They rushed in, freed him, and rushed him out, keeping him covered from falling debris and anybody seeing him.”

I glanced at Drak. “Are you thinking Ivar van Cortlandt showed up and freed his son-in-law?”

Drak’s nod was slight. “I am. Though, why he would free Lerris …”

“Lerris might have had his own rescue contingencies in place,” Ryden said, his voice rough. “He’s one of the slipperiest, most calculating demons I’ve ever come across.”

“So maybe he had someone on standby in case things went FUBAR?” Zandren added.

Ryden nodded.

“But maybe Howar didn’t know about Ivar’s plan, that’s why he looked confused.” My gaze drifted across everyone’s faces. “And now he’s indebted to his father-in-law.”

Drak gave another slight nod. “Ivar loves having people owe him.”

“How did Lerris escape?” Anysaasked the mage-in-waiting.

“That, I didn’t see,” the mage-in-waiting replied. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty.” She cast her eyes down to the ground as if ashamed she didn’t have a better answer.

“No, Sheeri, you did well,” Anysa praised. “Thank you.”

Sheeri glanced up at her queen, a small smile tipping her mouth for a moment.

“We’ve gone and revealed Howar’s true plan to Lerris, so that alliance has hopefully been severed,” I said. “However, I think they both planned to double-cross the other either way. So maybe Howar had one of his henchmen unlock Lerris because they believe working together against me is better than working against me separately.”

“I say we run with that theory, or the theory that Lerris had a contingency rescue plan, until we form a better one,” Maxar said to the nods of everyone else. “In the meantime, what do we do?”

“We get Papa Bear somewhere safe. Then we find Gemma and Melissima, make sure they’re safe, and then we go hunting.” I let my eyes drift from one exhausted face to the next. “They’re not going to stop until they have my throne, and I’m not giving it up without a fight. Are you with me?”

Every head bobbed up and down.

“That’s our queen,” Maxar said, his eyes filled with love and pride.

“All hail Omaera Playfair, Queen of the Realm!” Ryden shouted, lifting his fist in the air.

Everyone echoed after him, their words filling my heart before getting swept off in the breeze.

This wasn’t the life I chose, or one I ever thought I wanted, but it was the life the Fates chose for me. As I came to meet more and more people of this realm, I knew I couldn’t let it fall into the hands of Lerris or Howar. I was a reluctant queen, but maybe those who weren’t power hungry made better rulers? Time would tell, but for now, we needed to take care of family, regroup, and find my best friend.

Then we would come for their heads.