Page 13 of Night Fae

"No?" His father swirled the contents of the goblet. The smell of wine and blood filled the air between them. "Your situation would suggest otherwise."

Darius crouched to bring his face level with Zev's. "The Court has need of your particular talents again, son."

"I'm not your son anymore." Zev met his father's gaze. "And not the Court's assassin either."

"Yet you could be." Darius stepped closer, bringing the goblet to Zev's lips. "Drink. We'll discuss terms after you've regained your strength."

Zev turned his head away. No way would he drink anything his father offered. "What terms? What do you want?"

"Your return to service." Darius lowered the goblet, his smile thin. "Your return to the life you were born for."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then your human becomes the Court's newest plaything." Darius said it so matter-of-factly he might have been discussing the weather. "The Prince has developed quite an interest in him already."

The blood in Zev's veins turned to ice. Of course the prince had developed an interest in the human. Annoyingly, Malik was just handsome enough to be his type. Tall and warm-eyed, with those dark lashes. Pretty but not fragile.

Not fragile unless the Prince of the Night got his hands on him, anyway. "Malik has nothing to do with this."

"True," Darius agreed. "But he matters to you. That makes him useful."

"I've only known him for a short time."

"Then why did you risk capture to save him?" Darius's smile widened. "You hid in a wardrobe like a child rather than leave him to face us alone."

Zev had no answer that wouldn't reveal too much.

"One assignment," his father continued. "Prove your loyalty with one kill, and we can negotiate further terms."

"One kill that will inevitably lead to more."

"Perhaps." Darius didn't bother to dance around the truth. "But your human friend will remain unharmed while you serve. Refuse, and his suffering begins tonight."

Zev's fingers curled into fists above his head, chains rattling with his frustration. "Who do you want me to kill?"

"Someone who's become a thorn in the Court's side." Darius raised the goblet again, pressing it against Zev's lips. "The details can wait until you've agreed."

Zev jerked his head away, wine spilling down his chin. "And after I complete this job?"

Darius wiped a drop of wine from Zev's jaw with his thumb. "The human's continued safety will depend on your continued service. Simple."

Of course. Zev understood. His father was demanding open-ended servitude with Malik's life as collateral.

Curses.

No human was worth that much trouble.

Zev scowled at the man who had sired him. "So you want me to become your weapon again, killing whoever you point me at for as long as I care about the human."

"For as long as you care indeed." Darius's smile had something predatory about it. "It's a better offer than you deserve, my treacherous son."

Zev laughed, a harsh sound that held no joy. "It's a terrible offer."

"And what will you do about it?" Darius gestured to the chains. "You're in no position to negotiate. Either accept the Court's mercy or watch your friend suffer. Those are your choices."

"The Court has no mercy to speak of."

"Of course it does." Darius lowered the goblet, seeing Zev wouldn't drink. "Perhaps, in time, you might earn certain... freedoms."