Page 44 of Enchantra (Wicked Games #2)
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THE FOX
“Welcome to the final match,” Knox said when he appeared in the ballroom at midnight, making Genevieve’s ring blaze to life.
Rowin had been quiet for most of the day, though he made sure to indulge her every whim. Playing cards with her over lunch, taking her for one last walk through the maze and snow, making fun of the oil portraits of his family. She hadn’t realized, until then, that she’d never bothered to really look at his. Umbra outshone him, she’d said. He’d agreed.
Now, the two of them stood, facing Knox and Grave, braced for a fight to the death.
“First I would like to say congratulations , Mrs. Silver,” Knox told her. “You’ve officially been voted as this year’s Favored. It’s time to claim your prize. I hope you can remember what it is…”
“I can,” she told him.
“Picture it in your mind, then, and it should appear on your person,” Knox directed.
She did exactly as he instructed, and a moment later she felt something heavy sitting in the pocket of her dress.
“This finale is rather special,” Knox continued. “Usually this round of the Hunt is a clean duel. You each get a chance to race for the blade, and last man standing wins. But since not one member of this family has been able to complete the simple task of killing a mortal girl , I’ve decided to make an amendment to the rules. And the prize.”
Genevieve froze now. Rowin’s face remained a mask. Grave smiled.
“If I die, Salem will come after you,” Genevieve told the Devil.
Knox grinned at her. “Not if I keep your soul and threaten to torture it for all eternity if he so much as looks in my direction.”
Genevieve looked to Rowin, but he was staring straight ahead.
“So, here’s my offer, boys: If she dies, within the hour, I’ll release you and the rest of your siblings from your contracts to me. Forevermore. Effective immediately.”
Genevieve’s chest tightened. The Devil was pulling out every ace he had.
“And I’m going to make it very easy for you,” Knox continued. “The Hunting Blade will deliver her soul to me. Rowington, I’ve lifted the enchantment binding your life to hers. I’ll even give you both your magic back. Since she seems to be so slippery.”
Genevieve stumbled back a step as Grave swung toward her—no. Not toward her. Toward Rowin . Who had still not given a single reaction to Knox’s words.
“You want the honors?” Grave asked his brother. “Or do you want me to take care of it?”
“How noble,” Knox said as he pressed a mocking hand over his heart. “Not making your brother kill his own wife.”
Genevieve shook her head as she backed away from the circle. “ No .”
Knox smiled smugly at her, and the beat of her heart began roaring in her ears.
Rowin turned to her then, his mask of apathy finally slipping away.
He was grinning like the fox who’d finally caught the hare.
“I want you to know, for what it’s worth, that I am deeply sorry for what I’m about to do,” he told her.