Page 62 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood

“I know people at the palace. They can help you. As soon as you get there, you ask fo—”

“Cora.I believe you have work to attend to.”

We both whip around at the sound of Amabel’s voice, and instinctively, I step in front of Cora. Amabel only laughs.

“Please, this is my place of business, don’t be so foolish, girl.” A crooked smile touches her lips, and I reach for the dagger that is no longer there. I silently curse the prince for taking what is mine. One thing is for sure, I will be getting it back. “The prince is ready to leave.”

I turn to glance at Cora briefly, not wanting Amabel to know how close we truly are. I have no intention of her killing anyone else in order to spite me. I follow her out of the room, trailing behind her as the weight of the bag on my shoulder presses into my skin.

“I must say this is a twist I did not see coming. The prince’s taking a liking to you.” Her words carry a hint of jealousy that makes me feel sick.

“He didn’t take a liking to me. I’m simply Lissian’s punishment.”

“If that is what you believe.”

We continue the rest of the journey in silence, me following behind as we move down the flights of stairs to the entrance. With every step, my chest tightens. I can’t help but wonder whether I will even be able to kill the prince. I’ve never seen power like his before, and if he catches on to what I’m doing, then I will be dead before I’m even given the chance.

As we reach the doors, Amabel pulls them open to reveal a large wooden carriage waiting outside. A female vampire sits at the front, wrapped in a thick cloak that shields her from the night breeze—but there are no horses to pull it.

I take a step forward, but a hand on my shoulder gives me pause.

“Remember your job, Adina. You have been strategically placed to achieve what you have been tasked to do.”

I move to turn, but she tsks, and for some reason, I freeze, my eyes locked on the carriage.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I hear the soft lilt of her laughter carry through the wind.

“Oh, but you do.” She moves her mouth right next to my ear, her breath a warm contrast to the cold bite of the wind. “Who do you think gave Julian the idea to take Willow?”

I freeze at her words.

“Do what is expected of you, and you have my word that you will be reunited. Don’t and…well, you already know.” A flash of Tori dead on the ground fills my mind.

“Then why not just give me the donor spot in the beginning?” I spit.

“I had my reasons.”

Before I can ask more, the door to the carriage opens and she steps back. The prince steps out, the dark strands of his hair blowing in the wind. His eyes fix firmly on me as he waits for me to move, but I’m immobile. Amabel orchestrated this entire thing, and I don’t understand why—but she made one thing perfectly clear: if I don’t kill the prince, she will kill Willow. I straighten my back and, without a second thought, I move down the wide steps toward him. He has slipped his hands inside his pants pockets and leans casually against the carriage in a relaxed manner. So different from the male that slaughtered a room full of innocent humans a mere hour ago.

The female sitting at the front of the carriage seems to notice me for the first time, and she flicks her wrist, dispelling a cloud of black mass that swirls and twists in the air until it molds into the shape of two horses, their bodies made of a wispy black shadow that dances in the wind.

I’ve heard so much about shadow magic—our court’s specialism—but living in the bloodhouse, I’ve not seen many shadow wielders use it. I hate the feeling of awe I feel as I watch the shadows move like living, breathing animals. The sound of a neigh carries over the wind, and I watch in wonder. The female must be a Carmella. They are one of the lesser houses, but their ability to wield shadow puppets comes particularly in handy for casting animals used for travel.

“You’re late.”

The prince’s voice grabs my attention. I turn to find him staring at me. Only then do I realize that I’ve stopped right in front of him. My eyes pin him in a stare.

“And you’re an arrogant ass.”

He tilts his head as though truly surprised. It’s stupid to test him, but he made it clear tonight that he has no intention of killing me until he has fully used me as a punishment for Lissian.

There are worse things than death,Athriel drawls.

“Sorry, I thought we were playing point out the obvious,” I say.

Yet again, he surprises me when the corner of his mouth quirks up in a smile.