Page 170 of His Ruthless Match

After what felt like an eternity, the magistrate gave a slow, calculated nod. “You have our permission,” he said, his tone as indifferent as if he were granting a minor favor. “But,” he added, his voice sharpening, “we expect The Shadow to keep us informed of any and all developments.”

The Shadow inclined his head slightly, his shadows flickering at the edges of his boots. “Of course.”

The magistrate seemed satisfied with this answer, and dismissed us with a wave of his hand.

As we left the suffocating air of the throne room, I took Eva’s hand and gripped it tightly. We walked in silence until we were well outside, the cool night air hitting like a wave of relief.

In the courtyard, the three of us came to a stop. The tension between us hung heavy as we tried to process everything that had just occurred. In a matter of moments, the magistrate had effectively grabbed us by the balls and made us their bitches. Plus, they’d beheaded Izo like it was as simple as taking a morning shit.

Sure, I was grateful that I didn’t have to do it, but I would’ve loved to make him pay. To hold him down and torture him instead of giving him such a quick ending. The fucker deserved to suffer after what he’d done to Eva, whether the magistrate had influenced him or not.

The Shadow was the first to speak, his voice low and sharp. “I can’t believe they killed Izo.”

I scoffed and shook my head. “That’s what you can’t believe? What the fuck are we supposed to do now that we know the magistrate is behind all of this? They’re the ones pulling the strings. They’re playing a game, and we’re all the pawns.”

“We need to focus on the immediate threat first,” The Shadow said grimly. The rebel factions are a danger we can’t ignore. Innocent people are dying daily in the Crimson Dominion. The magistrate situation…” He sighed. “Well, that’s a long game.”

His pragmatism didn’t soothe the fire in my chest, but I knew he was right. I exhaled sharply, nodding once. “Fine. I’ll need reinforcements tonight.”

The Shadow’s brow arched slightly. “You’ll have them. I’ll mobilize my assassins, and I’ll join in the fun as well.”

I gave a curt nod, my mind already racing with the logistics of the mission. “Cain and I discovered they’re hiding out in the tunnels under the black market. Why the hell haven’t you taken them out already?”

The Shadow’s eyes narrowed, his voice laced with irritation when he spoke. “Because you can’t always think like an assassin, Jareth. I was strategically containing them, trying to get to the root of who their leader was. Now that we know, we can move forward. But don’t assume that’s the end of it. I have a feeling there are many more where they came from.” He paced a few steps ahead before he spoke again. “The faceless creatures aren’t just rebels. They’re something else. Mutants. My scientists haven’t seen anything like them before.”

The implications sank in like a stone in water. My mind flashed back to the encounters I’d had with those things—their eerie silence, the unnatural way they moved. “You’re saying the magistrate has them at their disposal?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.

He nodded grimly. “After what Izo said, it seems likely. And that means everything we just agreed to might be playing into a greater plan. A plan we don’t fully understand yet.”

I ground my teeth, frustration bubbling up again. “One damn problem at a time,” I said, my voice firm. “Let’s make the Crimson Dominion safe again. Let’s resolve the Genevieve situation. Then,” I added, glancing between The Shadow and Eva, “we’ll figure out how to navigate the situation with the magistrate.”

The Shadow nodded. “I’ll make the calls to my assassins and see who’s available to meet us in an hour.” He stepped away, pulling out his phone.

I grabbed Eva’s hand and pulled her into a quiet alcove just off the courtyard. I needed a moment alone with her. Just one moment, away from all the chaos and the looming threats.

“Eva,” I began, my voice rough. I placed my palm on her cheek. She leaned into my touch, her eyes searching mine with a mix of worry and something deeper—something that made my heart ache. “I don’t know how to say this without sounding like a complete idiot, but I can’t wait any longer to tell you, not with everything that’s at stake.”

She blinked up at me, her lips curving into the faintest smile. “Jareth, you’re the furthest thing from an idiot. Just say it.”

I took a deep breath. “You’re everything to me,” I admitted, my voice cracking slightly. “You’re… actually, you’re my fated mate, Eva. I don’t know how you feel about that, but it’s the truth. You’re it for me.”

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, I thought she might run. But then, to my surprise, she smiled—a full, radiant smile that lit up her face. “I already know.”

All the air left my lungs. “What? How?”

She bit her lip. “Grelth let it slip.”

I groaned, my head falling back for a moment. “That meddling bastard. I’m going to kick his ass.”

“Don’t you dare,” she said quickly, laughter bubbling in her voice. “He was just trying to help.”

Her laughter was like a balm to my frayed nerves. I pulled her into my arms. “I love you, Eva,” I whispered into her hair. “More than I’ve ever loved anyone or anything. I don’t even know how it happened, but I can’t lose you. Not now, not ever.”

Her arms wrapped around me, clinging as if she were afraid I might disappear. “I love you too. I don’t want to be away from you. I feel like… I feel like I’ll die if we’re separated again.”

I pulled back just enough to look at her, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “I understand the feeling, but I can’t risk your life in the Crimson Dominion. It’s too dangerous. You do understand you can’t come with us, right?”

Her smile faltered, and she winced, pressing her fingers to her temples. “God, my head,” she muttered. “It’s the worst migraine I’ve ever had.”