Page 52 of Ascendant King

The word was so cold I was sure that it would freeze the flowers potted along the wide porch. The last time we’d seen the cook, she’d been feeding us our last meal at Leon’s behest. We’d been hours from death, and the only thing she’d been able to offer was a terrible prophecy.

She didn’t seem offended, instead opening the door wider. “We heard you needed a place to stay. We happily offer our home.”

I looked behind me at the pack made up of wolves from disparate packs. I wasn’t sure we’d all fit in the house.

“Thanks for the generosity,” I said, gesturing into the house. “But we’re eighty-four people.”

Siobhan’s lips twisted, her Irish brogue tinging her words. “We can fit everyone.”

She opened the door wider, but I still hesitated. “We’re going up against Leon.”

I didn’t say more, the rest implied. Her forced smile faded. “You’re worried that we’re still working with Leon.”

“Who iswe?” Cade glared at her, his mouth settling back into an unhappy line.

“Why don’t you come in?” Siobhan said. “It will make sense when you see.”

I glanced at Cade, waiting for his reaction. Finally, he nodded. “All right.”

Turning, I found Nia, whose own eyes were narrowed suspiciously on Siobhan. “Keep guard.”

Oak watched the exchange, his wooden gaze impossible to read. “The elder thought you would be more comfortable with someone you knew. If that isn’t the case…”

Siobhan opened the door wider. Turning, I said, “We’ll talk to her and then make our decision.”

Inclining his head, Oak turned away, examining the spread of wolves and mages still waiting on the street.

“We’ll be back,” I told them. “We want to make sure we’ll be safe here.”

Then, I followed Cade into the house. Siobhan didn’t shut the door behind us. She led us up a set of stairs, and I felt the shiver of magic over my skin. When we turned on the landing, I was staring down a long hallway, which seemed to go on forever.

“What is this?” I asked.

“Like I said, you need to see.” Siobhan smiled, but the expression looked more like a grimace. Her eyes looked down before she forced them up. “This way.”

She led us down the hall, the doorways all open and revealing identical bedrooms with single beds, blue wallpaper, and a stylistic austerity. As we moved further down the hallway, magic shivered over my skin again in a way that was uncomfortable, like someone rubbing a rough fabric up my arms.

“This is magic that is out of control,” Cade said, frowning. “Magic that hasn’t been released.”

“Yes and no.” Siobhan stopped in front of a door. It was the only one in the hallway that was closed. “She’s releasing it by using it, but only because I think she’s unaware of it.”

Siobhan stopped, her hand on the doorknob. For a long beat, she didn’t move, then turned back to Cade. “Be as kind as you can. I know she hurt you, but please.”

Cade’s eyes narrowed, two slivers of sapphire, and just as cold as uncut gems. “Who’s behind the door?”

Siobhan looked back to the door and opened it.

The room was almost identical to the rest, the only change was a wing chair placed in front of the window where the light illuminated the person sitting in it.

Petrona was a shell of herself, the wrinkles on her skin carved even deeper, her eyes distant as she stared out the window at the wall of trees keeping her safe (or keeping her in, my mind reminded me). Beside me, Cade stilled completely, his eyes widening until they seemed like they consumed his entire face.

Swallowing, he said, “Petrona?”

The House Bartlett councilwoman didn’t turn, and Siobhan bustled into the room, the noise she made taking up more space than her body did. Crouching in front of Petrona, she took one of the mage’s hands between her own. “Petrona, Prince Bartlett and his consort are here.”

For a long heartbeat, Petrona didn’t respond. Then she said, her voice brittle and dry, “Cade?”

“Yes.” Siobhan’s shoulders dipped in relief. “Prince Bartlett is here.”