Page 27 of A Court of Wings and Shadows

Siergen snarled behind me. I didn’t stop him this time, I wanted Rubin to feel every breath of that threat.

“And you think I’m going to help you?” I asked coldly.

“You are the tool we need,” he said without flinching. “The anomaly. Proof that fae blood can be turned against its own. Your sacrifice could save humanity.”

“I’m not a tool,” I hissed.

But his expression didn’t change.

“Maybe not now,” Rubin said softly, “but when the kingdoms burn… you’ll see. All magic is a disease. And you, Ashlyn, may be the only one strong enough to end it.”

I sneered at him, the blood still pumping hot from the fight, my blade gripped tight at my side.

“What’s to stop me from killing you right now?”

Rubin shrugged, unbothered, as if he hadn’t just nearly died at my feet. “We have spies everywhere. If I die, another will come for you. Killing me only hastens the next.”

Arrogant bastard.

“If you want magic to perish,” I snapped, “why help the Blood Fae? Theyaremagic.”

“They are already dying,” he said with maddening calm. “Without access to the dragons’ eggs, their numbers have stagnated. We will use them. And when they’ve served their purpose—” he flicked imaginary dust from his glove, “—we’ll discard them.”

“You’re deluded.” My voice was sharp now, rising. “They’ll kill you the moment they get what they want.”

His smile widened. “We are aware. But for now, our goals align. It is a temporary alliance, nothing more.”

Ask him,Siergen’s voice whispered through my mind, low and coiled with rage,if he’s certain his people are watching.

I didn’t need to ask why.

“Are you sure your spies are watching this little meeting?” I asked, my voice flat.

Rubin nodded once. “At least four. Two are listening to every word as we speak.”

Siergen’s approval was immediate and as dark as a thunderclap.Good.

Then he lunged forward.

I stumbled back with a shout, thrown off balance as the massive wall of muscle and fury surged past me. His mouth opened wide, throat glowing from within. I saw the shift, his neck expanding, a deep-orange light bleeding through the scales.

“No!” I screamed?—

But it was too late.

Flame erupted before me in a violent burst of heat and fury, engulfing Rubin in a flash of heat and ash, the night exploding into light and death.

Chapter

Six

The sun hung low over the Ascension Grounds, casting golden light across the training fields and turning the morning dew to steam. The smell of hearth bread and tea lingered in the air, but the warmth didn’t reach us, not with the mood hanging so heavy.

Zander stood like a statue on the balcony of Crownwatch, his arms folded tight across his chest. Cade stood beside him, murmuring something low and clipped, but Zander’s eyes weren’t on him.

They were on me.

He hadn’t looked away since I stepped onto the field.