Page 27 of A Monarch's Fall

The girl was attractive, tall and lean, with piercing brown eyes, but Sasha had misinterpreted.

“No, I wish to convert her,” I explained. “Efstratios.” He turned to me, and I nodded towards the girl he held.

He did not hesitate, releasing her arms only to take hold of her head and snap her neck.

“Stop!” Kay screamed. “What’s wrong with you?” she continued angrily. “You’re a fucking monster.”

“There are ways around a blood oath,” I informed her.

“Fuck you,” she said calmly.

“Don’t threaten what you aren’t willing to commit to,” I replied.

Kay looked to her left.

“He’s here,” she said.

“Lady Petra and Lady Ardens,” Rylan greeted as he came into view. “The Princess is this way.”

“Efstratios, if you wouldn’t mind securing our new prisoner,” I commanded.

Kay did not argue or put up any resistance as Efstratios took hold of her, and we followed Rylan.

“I’m happy to see you’re safe,” he said, looking over his shoulder to Sasha as we walked.

“And you. How is Selene?” Sasha asked.

“Delirium has set in,” he told us. “I see you met our unexpected allies and dispatched with a couple,” he continued.

“They were annoying,” Sasha replied.

Rylan smiled, but the grin didn’t reach his eyes. I could smell his anxiety.

“It’s me,” he called as he knocked on a door, and another of Selene’s guards opened it.

Rylan turned to me, “She isn’t in a fit state,” he warned.

“Percy!” Selene called, sitting up from the table she was lying on. Blind eyes searching the room before falling back, one of her guards catching her head to rest her down gently.

“How long ago did the delirium hit?” Efstratios asked.

“Maybe an hour ago. I’m surprised she’s still moving,” Rylan replied. “I’d expect the full paralysis to have kicked in.”

“Yes,” Efstratios agreed. “Is it true that she is resistant to poisons?” he asked.

“I don’t know. If you had asked me that eight months ago, I would have said no, but now I’m not sure. Her survival of Hades’ Delight was a little-known antidote. But venom poisoning usually progresses much faster,” he continued.

“There is little we can do. She is strong, and this will pass,” Efstratios stated.

“But how long will it take to pass?” I questioned. “Are we sure this is venom poisoning?”

“Certain,” Rylan answered.

“Don’t. Where have you… Where are you going?” Selene mumbled; her eyes were shut, but she tried to push herself from the table.

Rylan gently guided her back down, and she groaned in pain.

“Find her, Rylan, it’s dark,” Selene said, her voice low, words slowed, grasping at his wrist.