Page 34 of A Game of Monsters (Realm of Fey #4)

A few miles outside the border of Wychwood, far from the shadows of the entangled forest, a sea of flesh and mortality stood waiting. Just as I had expected. Grand black tents took up old farmlands, stretching for as far as I could see. It encroached on fey lands, like spilled ink slowly spreading closer and closer. And yet there were no Nephilim amongst the camp, only unsuspecting humans.

A small part of me had hoped that we were wrong about Cassial’s use of humans, but seeing them here, like this, only reinforced my conviction that we could not go to war. Enough innocence had been taken from the realms, I refused to allow another to be taken.

My mount cantered toward them, stopping when a Nephilim finally revealed themselves. Without warning, they dove down from the skies, tearing me out of the saddle. The ground fell away from me, as did my crown, which was knocked from my head. I watched it, as we flew higher, tumble to the sodden earth, landing in boot-trodden mud.

Humans raced for it like rats to food, clambering over my crown until I could no longer see it.

As my captor’s shadow lingered across the patchwork of tents, humans looked up, pointing and shouting. They cheered for the Nephilim who held me – not knowing that the very being who held me was the monster – not the fey they held in their grasp.

Right in the heart of the encampment was a handful of larger tents. The material was a bright cream with gold stitching, standing out against the darker material on the outskirts of the camp.

Banners fluttered in a light breeze, the symbol of the Creator taunting me everywhere I looked.

And I had no doubt in my heart that the Nephilim was taking me directly to the man I needed to see.

Cassial.

Around me, a flock of Nephilim rose into the skies on feathered wings, brandishing weapons of gold. Did they wonder why I had come? Or had they been expecting me. The latter was more likely, considering I hadn’t used my power against them yet. It was the flash of daylight, catching across glass, refracting beams of multicoloured light over the vicinity, that proved it.

I’d been so distracted with my welcome that I almost forgot the one important detail of why I’d come. So, I patted my hand over my jacket pocket, feeling for the small glass vial.

Seraphine felt as though the poison was important enough to leave with Eroan. She never acted without reason.

Never .

Had she known this would happen, that I would be forced to enter the heart of our enemy? Unless Althea was dead, and Seraphine was alive still, I would never get that answer.

My Nephilim captor nosedived to the ground so suddenly a scream tore out of my throat. The earth raced up toward me. I pinched my eyes closed, ready to meet my end, until everything settled.

I wasn’t dead… yet.

We landed in the middle of a circle of armed Nephilim. The one holding me forced me out of his hands, pushing me to the ground. I stumbled over awkward feet, only for another Nephilim to push against me, knocking me backwards.

I hit the ground, to the amusement of those watching. Laughter erupted from every direction, as Nephilim delighted in watching a fey king squander in mud like a headless fowl.

They could not see me as a threat, so I made sure to stay on the ground.

“I come in peace,” I said, sure I had read that exact saying in a fiction book I once read. To emphasise, I lifted my hands up in surrender, and offered the sweetest of smiles. Deep down, I wanted nothing more than to destroy each and every one of them. Slowly, I searched around the faces of the Nephilim for someone I’d recognise. Maybe Duncan, but that was only a hope.

“Look at the fey king on the ground!” A Nephilim shouted, brandishing a sword in my direction. “Where it belongs, fey scum.”

“Incredibly original,” I spluttered, dusting the grime from my trousers as if that mattered. “It’s been a long time since I heard that one.”

They sneered at me, teeth bared like rabid dogs.

“As much as I would enjoy hearing all the creative insults you’ve no doubt practiced six inches from a mirror, will one of you gracious angels do me the favour of taking me to your Saviour . I’d like to have a little chat with him, as you can imagine.”

The title soured in my mouth, because I knew it belonged to another.

The Nephilim each looked at me as if I was mad. Crazed. Maybe I was. After all, I had come here alone. But for now, those feral desires had to be kept under control.

“ I knew you would come,” came a voice belonging to the very prick I wanted to see. Except he wasn’t here. Not physically. Cassial’s voice came from within my head, piercing the veil of my mind. The pain that followed was so great, it brought me to my knees, hands smacking on either side of my head as if I could gouge him out with nails.

In seconds, rough hands were upon me. The cold kiss of iron encased my neck, clipping locked. The very same cuff that had been put on me when I was taken by Hunters months ago.

I’d expected a welcome like this. Mentally, I’d prepared for it. But still, as my power slipped away, falling through my grasp like sand through parted fingers, I felt a semblance of vulnerability rear its ugly head.

I looked up, not bothering to resist as the Nephilim reached for every concealed weapon they could find. But it didn’t stop there. One by one, the plates of armour were removed, stripped off by careless hands, until the brush of cool air rippled over my bare skin. Even Seraphine’s box was taken out of my pocket. My heart stopped as they opened it, tipped out Seraphine’s sketch and discarded it on the floor. Out the corner of my eye I saw the slip of parchment flutter in the winds before landing in mud and being trodden by careless boots. The vial thudded into the mud, but before it was noticed I slipped a hand over it, fingers digging in the dirt for purchase, and picked it up.

With no time to clean it, I mocked a cough and slipped the vial into my mouth. I couldn’t think about precautions as the glass tinkered against my molars, the vile taste of grit lathering my tongue and cheeks.

If they pried my lips open, they would find what had been missing from the box. Turned out, I was lucky they left my undershorts on, as a crowd of humans began to gather and watch. The hate in their watching stares was palpable. So strong it kept me to my knees, even if the Nephilim released me.

“ Do not fear, my dearest humans ,” Cassial’s voice came again.

I continued to search for him, only to discover where it was coming from. Mirrors – the same I saw in hands during the procession to Althea and Gyah’s wedding. They were propped up almost everywhere I could see: from grand, gilded designs to mundane mirrors in bland wooden frames. “I will not allow such monsters to harm you. All is well, you are safe as long as you stay with me.”

I strained against the harsh grasp of many arms, hoping that if Cassial was using this moment to converse with humans, showing them what was happening through Duwar’s power, then I had to take my chance to ruin the picture he painted of the fey.

“Is that the excuse you used,” I called out, a prominent lisp thanks to the small glass vial at the back of my teeth, “when you beheaded Queen Althea Cedarfall?”

Shock broke out around me, like the rush of a wave against the shore.

“ Lies ,” Cassial’s voice spat, hissing like water against hot coals. “ Never trust the tongue of a serpent who wishes to suffocate you with its coil.”

“You killed her,” I spat, sweeping my gaze around as much as I was allowed, trying to locate where Cassial was hiding. “You severed her head and planted it on a spike to taunt us–”

All around me, the disgruntled responses of humans began. It was clear they didn’t believe me. Were they so blinded by Cassial’s promises that they no longer could understand a truth from a lie?

Did they even expect the army that had been coming for them? I only hoped Erix’s gryvern continued to hold them back.

Erix. I couldn’t think about our last moments together. His touch, the brush of his caring gaze. Instead of faltering in my need of him, I placed all my hope that Erix would listen to my command and wouldn’t come chasing after me until my signal was received.

“Althea Cedarfall is not dead .”

Fury ruptured through me at his bare-faced lie.

I was hoisted from the floor before the words could settle over me. “I saw her head. You can lie to those around you, but you can’t lie to the ocean of fey who seek vengeance for her murder. I have seen the humans you store before you like shields, do you not care for their safety, or do you need them in their places to take the full brunt of the crossfire you so desire–”

“ Enough of your deceptions, Robin Icethorn .” Cassial’s voice boomed over me, heavy with unseen power. I wondered the toll using Duwar’s power had on him. “You can perpetuate your mistruths about Althea Cedarfall. But every soul here watched as she was abducted from our care by that Eldrae woman. We have all bared witness as the Eldrae tore into the Creator’s greatest warriors. You can spin your web to entrap us, but it is made from frayed thread.”

My reply failed me, words dying on my tongue. All I could think about was that Gyah had been here. If I was to believe Cassial, that meant Gyah had successfully saved Althea. But the relief of that revelation lasted but a second. Because it confirmed the one thing I had tried not to believe.

If that was not Althea’s head on the spike, it meant that it belonged to Seraphine. Relief and grief melted through my mind.

When Eroan was successful at peeling back Seraphine’s glamour, proving that it wasn’t Althea’s head presented on the spike, it would prevent the war that Cassial had hoped to spark.

“My Nephilim, see that Robin Icethorn is taken to my lodgings ,” Cassial’s command rippled over the crowd. “ I wish to speak with him. It would seem that Robin here requires a reminder as to the peace accords he has signed.”

The circle of Nephilim parted enough to allow another figure to step through. I blinked against the glare of harsh light, lifting a muddied hand to my brow to get a better look.

My breath caught in my throat. From the top of my skull, down to my toes, a violent chill sliced down my spine, threatening to flay me open and reveal all my secrets.

“Up, fey scum,” Duncan Rackley said as the chain at the end of my collar was handed to him.

I settled my disbelieving eyes on him – full snow-white wings, eyes as green as a forest in summer and a scowl I’d seen once before, when I was first captured by him.

Duncan. He was here. I barely had time to react as he pulled at the chain again, making me stumble to the ground. The skin around my neck ached as the cuff pulled. I felt a trickle of wet as fresh blood inched down my naked chest.

He had hurt me.

I locked eyes with Duncan, who’d not looked away from me all this time. “I said, get – up .”

I did as he asked, unable to speak even if I wanted to. No one else seemed to notice that he didn’t belong here. His act was so powerful, I too almost believed it.

Duncan’s presence was yet more proof that Gyah had been successful. I had to believe it.

And I was safe with him, no matter the part he was playing.

I scrambled up before he tugged on my leash again, uncaring for the further discomfort he caused me.

Duncan led me through the gathered crowd, directly toward the structure of monstrous tents. As soon as we were out of ear shot, I readied myself to say something. But as the first word left my mouth, Duncan pulled hard on the leash, making me choke on the words.

“Not here,” he hissed, turning casually around. I took it as a signal, following his gaze to the mirrors stationed all around the camp. Cassial was watching, no doubt. Duncan understood that. He had a part to play, as did I.

“Where’s your Saviour?” I shouted, feigning panic and hate for the Nephilim before me, when the truth couldn’t be more opposite.

“ Occupied ,” Duncan replied, choosing his words carefully. “You will be graced with his presence soon. Once I ensure you do not pose a threat to him, that is.”

Occupied. It could mean a few things, but the way Duncan said it, the tone he used, told me that there was only one fact behind his answer.

Cassial wasn’t here.

If not, then where was he? Had he already gone for Jordin Elmdew, ready to implant Duwar into the vessel of a child?

Duncan guided me into the shadowed archway of a tent. As I entered, the smell of blood slammed into me. It clogged in my throat, souring my tongue and making me gag. Duncan relaxed his pull on me as he rounded up to the back of another person.

A woman stood facing something on a table before her. Her form was hulking, with shoulders as broad as mountains and a stature tall and imposing. She wasn’t a Nephilim – evident from the lack of wings – but that didn’t take away from the aura of strength she emitted.

As she turned around, I caught a glimpse of another person, laid out across the metal table. She blocked their face from view, standing in front of me with hands clasped to a large, serrated knife, equally as bloodied as the black apron tied around her waist.

“Ah, so the famed Icethorn king has finally arrived, just as the Saviour knew he would.” Her gravelly voice itched across my bare skin.

“Is this the welcome party?” I asked, hissing as Duncan tugged once again on my lead.

The woman ignored me as she lifted the bloodied knife and pointed in my direction. Down the jagged edges of the blade, she studied me with narrowed, hateful eyes.

“I knew that one day I’d get the chance to meet the boy who killed my brother. It’s my honour to finally have you in my presence.” She looked back to Duncan, excitement and pride swelling over her rosy-cheeked face. “Well done, initiate. You have proved yourself useful.”

“This success has little to do with me,” Duncan replied, fingers digging into my shoulder, anchoring me in place before the woman could snatch me away. “Robin Icethorn decided himself to come and pay us a visit.”

“I came because you placed Althea’s head on a spike and lured me here,” I snapped, wondering what game Duncan was playing, and how I could further it.

“Then it is fate that I get this meeting, oh how I have craved it for a long time.” She refused to look anywhere but at me, and I saw the feral hunger for blood in her gaze, as potent as if she’d just used her words to tell me exactly what she wanted to do with me.

I chose not to hold her stare, instead searching for clues as to who she was. Apparently, I’d killed her brother, but that was like searching for a needle in a haystack these days.

“I was unconvinced your idea would work but using your mistake and turning the outcome to something positive will benefit you in the Saviour’s grace,” she said, voice rough from years of the pipe no doubt.

“I live to please.” Duncan bowed. “Thank you for your praise.”

She dismissed his bow with a wave of her blood-caked hand. “Now,” she said, settling bulbous dark eyes on me once again. There were smudges across her skin, dark brown stains that could’ve been shit, if I didn’t know better. It was blood, she was covered in it. “Hand him over. I will deal with the rest from here.”

“Cassial has requested that the Icethorn is kept alive.”

“I know that,” the woman spat, rubbing the knife down her apron. It was then I noticed the faint outline of a symbol. A once-white imprint of a hand, now covered in blood and grime.

She was a Hunter. But I couldn’t work out who her brother was, the one she’d referred to. The one whom I’d allegedly killed.

“Then there is no need for that knife,” Duncan said, gesturing to the blade she waved around. “Robin is not to be killed, Cassial has use for him.”

“Your Saviour also promised me I can have some fun ,” the Hunter said. “Who said anything about killing him? No, no. I will keep the Icethorn fey alive, but I cannot promise how many pieces he will be returned to you in. Hand him over. I’ve waited long enough for this day. I will not postpone it for another moment.”

Duncan didn’t move. Not even as the woman extended her hand, waggling fingers impatiently. I looked down his strained arm, to knuckles which had paled as he gripped the end of my leash.

His hesitation was seconds from giving him away. I had to do something. Already, I recognised the change in emotion on the woman’s face as she watched Duncan lose himself to his inner thoughts.

She stepped forwards, head titled. “What are you waiting for?”

It was then that I saw the root of Duncan’s hesitance. As the woman stepped forwards, she gave me my first glance at the body on the table behind her.

Laying upon a metal slab was the rest of Seraphine’s body. All that was missing was her beautiful face on her head, in its place was nothing but a pool of blackened blood and the jagged edges of a frayed neck.

“Seraphine.” The name broke out of me. I sagged forwards, knees giving way.

What followed was a rush of agony that manifested in the desire to cause pain.

I knew she had died, but some part of me had refused to believe it. But seeing her corpse, headless and dull of colour, caused a dangerous venom to flood up from the deepest pit of my soul and spread. The pressure was so forceful that if I didn’t act to expel it, I would combust.

As I stepped forwards on instinct, I felt the lack of hold. Duncan had dropped the leash, allowing me to act. So, I did. I snatched the chain before he could grapple for it again. He jolted sideways, shocked out of his stupor from my shout.

The Hunter, likely noticing her impending fate, snapped forwards, reaching for me, stumbling over sloppy feet. She was quick, but I was far quicker. I whipped the chain around, smashing the end into her face.

The crack was beautiful. Blood burst from the gash, blinding her as it smudged over her eyes.

I knew what I was going to do before I did it.

Without wasting another moment, I took my chance.

I spun around, threading my body behind the Hunter’s back. Using the metal table as a prop, I pushed upwards, wrapping the chain around her neck three times. My foot wedged into her back, and I added force against her, whilst pulling the chain back.

“Fuck you ,” I seethed, spitting my hate into her ear. I used all my might, every ounce of power and strength I had left, and didn’t release my hold.

“This,” I hissed into her ear, “is for Seraphine.”

The Hunter’s knife had long since clattered to the floor. Now she used her spare hands to fumble with the chains, as if that would help free her. It was useless. Even after her fight died out with the last scraps of air from her lungs, I didn’t let go. I couldn’t. Wouldn’t. Because the second I did, I would be free to turn around and face Seraphine, and the gaping hole her lack of life had presented to me.

I thought of Seraphine’s husband, my knuckles paling as my grip tightened on the chain. Although I’d not seen the child she took on as her own in the flesh, the sketch of her heart-shaped face filled my mind. They had no idea that Seraphine was dead – that she’d died in a game of monsters that seemed to have no end.

But I would find an end, for them and Seraphine’s memory.

My ears rang, my head throbbing from concentration and force. It was Duncan who eased me back to reality.

“Robin,” his voice was cold and fearful. “It’s done. She’s… gone.”

I heard Duncan, but that didn’t mean I listened. In fact, my grip on the chain tightened until Duncan rested his hands on my arms, brushing a thumb over my skin.

“Let her go,” he commanded, yet his voice was no more than a soft whisper. “You must conserve your energy for what else is to come, don’t waste it on those who no longer require it.”

Breathless, I released hold of my leash, letting the Hunter’s body flop to the floor. A sob cracked out of my chest, but I had to hold it firm for fear I’d spit the vial out of my mouth or swallow it – then it wouldn’t only be Seraphine’s and this Hunter’s bodies laid out dead in this tent.

Duncan wasted no time in embracing me, wrapping me in his arms, folding wings around me, so I was forced to not look anywhere but at him.

“They killed Seraphine,” I spluttered into his chest. “She came to save the realms and died in the process. Duncan… she – she didn’t deserve this end.”

I had once thought Seraphine perished when Imeria Castle fell and crushed her nest of Asps. Turned out it was the weight of saving the realms that finally got her.

“Shh. It’s going to be okay, Robin. Everything is going to work out just the way it needs to.” Duncan brushed his hand down the back of my head, fingers tugging at my hair. “You must focus and calm down. We don’t have long, and there is much you need to update me on. Starting with Erix Oakstorm, where is he?”

It was odd to hear Duncan refer to Erix with that last name. There must’ve been a time before we left Irobel that Duncan found out about Erix’s lineage. Perhaps he knew because of his use of Duwar. Either way, it stopped me enough to focus.

I tried to steady my mind, understand what I had just uncovered.

“Robin,” Duncan clasped my face in his hands, forcing me to look at him. Urgency widened his eyes, his frantic words proving he was deeply worried. “Tell me, where is Erix?”

I shook my head, wincing against the question. How did I tell Duncan what I’d done to Erix? “He has… he was going to look for you. To tell you I came here to prevent the war. We have managed to put a hold to the fey army, giving me some time to deal with the issue of Cassial. But now you are here, and we can do it together – once I give a signal Erix will come, but only then.”

“Okay,” Duncan said, nodding. His gaze lost to something pointless as his mind twisted with thoughts. “That’s good, Robin. Really good. And what of this signal, can you give it now? It’s important Erix comes as soon as possible, I – we – need him.”

It took me a moment to realise that Duncan was hurting me. Once my emotions calmed enough, I felt the pinch of harsh nails into the skin of my arms. I tried to pull away, but it was no good.

“Where’s Rafaela, Duncan?” I asked. “And the rest of the Nephilim? What about Althea and Gyah? Cassial said she was abducted…”

“None of that matters now.” Out of all the questions I asked, Duncan refused to answer a single one of them. “What is important is that you listen to me, for we don’t have long.”

“Long until what?”

Duncan fixed his eyes back on me, and I felt myself buckle from the relief of seeing him. Voices sounded beyond the tent, deep rumbling tones. Duncan released me, looking frantically around. My arms ached from where he held me, so much that it took restraint not to reach up and rub them. He looked to the dead body of the Hunter, and then to me.

“Duncan, answer me.” My heart lodged in my throat. “Until what ?”

“Until Cassial comes for you. Before that I must understand everything that is happening in Wychwood: if you wish to save those innocent lives, we must re-plan our next moves carefully.”

“What happened here, Duncan?” If he ignored this question, I would’ve asked it over and over. “How are you here and everyone else isn’t?”

Clearly, he recognised my need for answers, because he gave them to me this time.

“Althea is alive, but she was taken away not long ago. When Gyah infiltrated the camp with the Asp, I was forced to act.” Duncan’s eyes settled on the decapitated body behind us. I dared not look. Pretending Seraphine wasn’t dead was easier than facing the truth. “Gyah got Althea out, but Seraphine swapped places just as Cassial was going to use her to transfer Duwar. I had to–” Duncan paused, his face going pale. Regret lingered in his eyes, heavy as a physical burden.

“Had to what, Duncan?”

He dropped his eyes. “Kill her. It was the only way to stop Duwar looking for the real Althea.”

“That was what the Hunter meant by you making a mistake,” I said, unable to fathom that it was Duncan who took Seraphine’s life. But the Hunter also praised Duncan, said he was successful in getting me here.

Dread crept over my skin, chilling me to the bone.

“Cassial is aware that the real Althea escaped, as is every Nephilim and human outside of these tent walls. He made sure everyone was aware, so that when the fey attack under the guise that Althea Cedarfall is dead, he had the motive and means to use Duwar against you, flattening the fey army in a matter of moments.”

“He has the Elmdew heir,” I said, grappling for his face to calm him, but Duncan pushed my attempt away. “Our focus must be on stopping that.”

Duncan released a growl of contention, burying his face in his hands. “The Elmdew heir is the last resort. Cassial may store power inside of the baby, but it will not be used until the child is old enough to control it. It will leave Cassial weak and defenceless… he needs someone else… Erix, you must send him your signal.”

Something dreadful clicked together in my mind. Duncan clocked it, finally reaching out for me again, sinking harsh fingers into my soft flesh.

“Why did you kill Seraphine, Duncan?” I asked, trying to step back but being unable to break out of his hold. If anything, his grasp was tighter than before, nails pinching until pain sang up my arms.

“Send the signal, Robin.”

The harder I fought against him, the more pain I suffered. “Duncan, stop it. You’re hurting me.”

It was like he didn’t hear me. Or perhaps he chose not to.

“ Good . I want you to hate me,” Duncan replied, as a slow creeping smile broke over his face.

Finally, he let me go. But I had nowhere to run. As I tried to step back, I was forced between Duncan and the table with Seraphine’s decapitated body.

He began to laugh. As he did, he lifted a hand in a strange gesture. I refused to blink as I watched his skin melt from his body like smoke caught on a wind. Powerless and frozen in fear, there was nothing I could do but watch as the glamour before me dissipated, revealing the truth of who had been with me this entire time.

A gasp lodged in my throat, my feet stumbling back.

“Hello again, Robin,” Cassial said, glowering down as the final dregs of his glamour dissipated. His eyes – so similar to Duncan’s – glared at me, drinking me in. Except one was utterly ruined. The right side of his face had been gouged by something great, tearing through muscle, sinew and bone. Where his eye had been was now a gaping hole, dribbling unknown substances.

He truly was a monster. A walking corpse – a ruined body. And he had been masquerading as Duncan since I had arrived.

It was no wonder he hadn’t shown his true self, there was no hiding what he had become from his followers.

Poison by the reflection of his own evil intentions.

“Do not be frightened, little bird ,” Cassial taunted. As he spoke, I could see his tongue move like a snake through the gap in his cheek. The wet sound of flesh on flesh, accompanied with the hot stench of rot and infection, made me want to vomit.

“You look like shit,” I spat. “Had a hard time recently, have you?”

“Courtesy of your Asp,” Cassial said, gesturing to his ruined face.

It was a miracle he was still alive – not a miracle, but the fact his body was a host for chaos itself.

She’d tried to kill him, that much was clear. A spark of joy simmered inside of me, knowing she had left her mark on Cassial.

“Half a job means a little less for me to do,” I said. “Come closer and I will put you out of your misery.”

“Misery?” Cassial cocked back his head and laughed, the sound grating and vile. I saw the workings of his inner body through the gouge marks, his tongue bulging like a bloated slug, strings of veins and sinew like threads holding his ruined face together. “My life is anything but, especially now you are here.”

“You laugh at me, and yet your end is still inevitable.” My tongue brushed over the glass vial hidden in the back of my teeth, making sure it was in place.

Cassial finally stopped laughing, and there wasn’t a sign of humour on his face by the time he faced me again. “The Asp certainly gave it a good go, bless her. But in the end her luck had run dry. I took her life with a smile on my face, knowing that I may have lost the vessel required to use Duwar, but at least I could use her to replace what was taken from me. And look at you, here like a willing little lamb. I had hopes Erix would have followed after you, better to have two options than one. But I suppose now I know what I must do to send out a call for him.”

“I never told you what type of signal Erix would expect,” I said, holding on to that one hope. “Good luck prying it from me when I’m dead.”

Cassial didn’t bother to hide his displeasure. “You will not be dying yet, Robin Icethorn. I have a need for you. Starting with Duncan. Amazing, isn’t it, this endless well of great power. I knew Duwar would provide me with possibilities beyond my imagination, but never did I think that any one thing can be achieved when using the source of power. Every power that a fey has – telepathy, illusion, glamouring, the conjuring of elements – it is all mine. Endless possibilities at my fingertips. It did not even cross my mind, until your little Asp came here and tried to mess with my plans. Imagine my surprise when I found out you all survived the journey to Irobel. Thank the Creator you did, because otherwise I would’ve been forced to put Duwar inside of that Elmdew babe and wait years until I could use it again. My weakness is my impatience.”

Your weakness is your desire for power.

“You’re wasting your breath on me, Cassial.” My vision was red, my need for pain and fury a siren song too impossible to ignore. “It is over.”

My eyes flickered down to the butcher’s knife. It was only for a split second, but Cassial began tutting. “Now, now. Robin. I would suggest you do not make hasty decisions. The wrong move would not go well for you. So, let us sit, shall we? Talk about how we can help each other stop this war I know you will do anything to prevent. If you do, I have something of great importance I can return to you.”

I couldn’t get over the fact that Duncan had been standing before me one minute and was gone the next. My lips ached from the kiss he’d given me, the disgusting knowledge that it had never been Duncan.

“Where is he ?” I seethed, my body trembling against unseen bounds.

“Oh, Duncan?” Cassial said the name as if there was even a possibility I’d spoken of someone else. “Well, he is here, of course. And if you behave, I may just let you see him.”

That was how Cassial knew to glamour himself as Duncan, because he had come to Gyah’s aid, but never left. That was why Rafaela wasn’t here. Somewhere along the way, Duncan had been captured instead.

“If you harm him a single hair on his head–”

Cassial leaned in, his smile widening. It was only when he got closer that I noticed the cracks across his skin. The fissures, like scars in clay, revealed a glowing, fire-like light from beneath. “As long as you do as I ask, then I swear to you, no harm will befall Duncan Rackley. The same goes for Erix. So, shall we sit and discuss what it is I need from you, and then we can come to an agreement that will be mutually beneficial?”

“I have nothing to say to you.” I rolled the glass vial of poison between my teeth. I got myself ready, poised to crack it and spit the poison over Cassial. Then this would finally be over. I had no antidote, no way of not meeting the same end as Cassial would.

But it would be worth it. The pain, the death, the suffering… it would mean something if I dragged Cassial to the afterlife with me.

“No, perhaps you do not. But I can tell you that I do not need to know what signal Erix Oakstorm waits to receive from you. To my luck, Erix is already on his way. Word has reached me that he is coming here, with a host of fey warriors at his heel. I think it has something to do with the return of Althea Cedarfall to Wychwood, and her orders to attack. But I would very much like to have this conversation with you first, before I must go and greet him. You never know, maybe we will come up with a way to stop the bloodshed that is… imminent.”

I paused, letting the possibility of what he said sink in. “I don’t believe you.”

“Nor do I care if you do.” Cassial tilted his head, like an inquiring mutt. “Time will show you that the war is now upon us. But I know what you desire, Robin. You truly would do anything to save those humans outside, no matter how they hate you, how they wish to see me destroy you. Then there is the matter of Erix. You are worried I may use him as Duwar’s vessel if you are no longer an option. And I admit, you would be right to have those concerns. I also admit it would be ideal that he would be my second choice, considering he would willingly give himself up to save you. But you already knew that, which is why you came to me alone.”

I could reply, but my silence was as much confirmation. “An educated guess.”

“No, that was no guess. It does not take a scholar to see the ties between yourself and Erix Oakstorm. Not to mention how insightful Duncan Rackley has been. It has taken little of Duwar’s power to crack into his mind and take out what I have needed–”

I leaned in, the glass vial aching between my teeth. “I will–”

“Listen to me, carefully.” Cassial dug his fingers into my jaw, holding me in place. I could barely breathe, let alone move. All I was permitted to do was listen. “After all, that is why you came, because you knew I needed you. So, I think you would very much like to hear what I have to say. More importantly, what I have to offer . Starting with the fey army following in your wake. The sooner we speak, the quicker you can call an end to the death that awaits those souls outside this tent. Either you listen to me, or more innocent people will perish just like dearest Seraphine. Or, if you are unwilling to cooperate, we can have this conversation after the fey army soak the ground with the humans’ blood. What will it be, Robin? Will you sit back and wait for the realms to tear each other apart, or will you do the right thing and see how we can stop it all – together?”