Page 243

The dim light illuminated his face enough that she caught his wicked smile. “You’re right. I didn’t, but I made his life hell. I’ll admit, I was angry at first that he’d escaped. Brónach’s High Lord was always a difficult one to influence. He asked too many questions and I’d bet all the gold in my coffers that he hesitated. His elder sister tried hiding him for a while, and he even survived several of my assassins. So I opted for a different route. I figured, why not bring him into my twisted game rather than eliminate him?”

The male chuckled. “It was too perfect. The male practically damned himself when he slaughtered his father’s warriors and countless others. Then his brother, the new High Lord, sent him out on a mission. I paid him a personal visit. Not that he knew. I’ll let you in on a little secret. Fear and anger are two of the most easily influenced emotions there are. And easily manipulated, as well. All it took was a little extra prodding and he pivoted from an angry teen to an outright murderous creature. Granted, there were rumors I spread, as well. Just to keep things interesting.”

He pinned her with a deadly stare. “The King of Alastríona took everything from me. So I stripped everything from his successors and molded the one you call Rion into a tyrant to be feared.”

“You—” Gods. Holy gods. He’d orchestrated Rion’s entire life. He’d been the one from the very beginning. He’d—

Ellie’s face paled and fear finally invaded her senses. If he could manipulate someone like Rion . . . “Why are you telling me all this?”

The male finally stepped close enough that she could see his face. He was young and fair, like all Fae. His light hair was pulled back, but half his head had been shaved. Thick scars ran along the left side of his face, with one slashing right through his left eye. It had left the pupil milky and useless.

“Because you aren’t leaving,” he whispered.

The male snapped his fingers and the door opened on the other side of the room. Ellie yanked against her bonds when she scented Kirian’s blood, then tears pricked her eyes as two males hauled his broken body through the doorway. He didn’t look up or move, but she could hear his heartbeat.

“Let him go,” she yelled, and fought against her chains to no avail. They didn’t budge and she could barely stand to her full height from how tightly they held her.

“No.” He leaned closer. “It appears the boy wasn’t fortunate in inheriting his father’s genes. I’d say he has about a century or less to live.” Ellie could hardly breath as she stared at Kirian’s limp body, the blood pouring from his mouth, and his swollen eyes. “Don’t fret. I won’t kill him. He’s going to stick around as a reminder. If you try to escape or do anything that displeases me, he’ll pay the price.” The male clicked his tongue. “Though right now, he doesn’t look like he can take much more, so I’d be very, very careful. His life is in your hands.”

“What do you want?” she seethed. “Arianna’s secrets? Rion’s?”

The male laughed out loud. “Heavens no, there’s nothing you could tell me I don’t already know.” He stood. “What I want from you is far different.” He crossed the room, then something about his words clicked into place.

“What did you mean when you said you could influence the mind? I thought those from Pádraigín controlled the air and cast illusions?”

“What is a false emotion but an illusion? What is a lie except an illusion? What is a false reality but an illusion? I’ve had a lot of time to hone my strength. More time than most.”

“What’s your goal, exactly? And no more riddles.”

He knelt over Kirian and Ellie held her breath. “Destroy Alastríona and its prophecies. Once I’m certain they’re gone, we’ll move to a new continent and begin a new life. The Divine will cease to exist.”

“That’s genocide.”

“Sometimes sacrifice is the only way to freedom.” He returned to her and Ellie struggled against her bonds. “Now that you know why, perhaps you’ll be a little more compliant.” His gaze traveled to Kirian. “At least I hope you are, for your companion’s sake.”

He pressed his thumb to her head and a buzzing filled her ears before she was cast into shadow. Her stomach dropped and the world spun out of control. Ellie flailed, fighting for a foothold, but Kirian’s bloody form flashed before her eyes and she stopped fighting, stopped moving as the darkness closed in and Ellie fell and fell and fell.

***