Page 106 of The Broken Prince

An image of the labor camp came into my mind, that night we’d snuck into the mud hut to ask our questions, one of the demons on guard in full armor. “That’s why they have the labor camps…” I said it more to myself than the others. “Because they’re digging for more crystal.”

“We suspect their supplies are running low,” Mary said. “And that’s why they’ve appeared aboveground.”

Huntley was silent, clearly still in shock. I’d had a full day to process the horrible news, whereas he’d only had seconds—as well as an audience.

“That leaves us with one option,” I said. “To usher Palladium to our lands and then all of us leave by boat to new shores to start over elsewhere.” It was a dreadful option, but the only one with any chance of success.

“That’s not the only option,” Huntley said.

I looked at my brother.

“If they need the crystals to maintain their invulnerability, then all we need to do is destroy the crystals.” Huntley said it matter-of-factly, like that was no issue at all. He looked at the others at the table, a man too big for his chair. “We destroy the crystals—we destroy them.”

“But those crystals are underground,” Mary said. “We would have to go down there—”

“Then we go down there,” Huntley said. “I’m not abandoning my kingdom. My home. The place where my ancestors have lived for thousands of years because these assholes decided to move in.”

I continued to stare at my brother. “Huntley—”

“If we sail to the wrong lands, we end up working in a labor camp ourselves. We end up prisoners when we were born to be kings. I’m not vacating my lands when there’s a chance I can save it.”

“We can sail to Aurelias’s lands—”

“And submit to a vampire king?” Huntley asked incredulously. “Never.”

“Huntley, you aren’t thinking clearly—”

“Do you know of a path underground?” Huntley ignored me now. “Do you know of a way to enter their cave system?”

Mary looked at Paul then back at Huntley. “We do know a way. But I can’t emphasize this enough…it’s suicide. We want no part of that—”

“If you want to leave these lands, I can’t stop you,” Huntley said. “I’m not your king. I will give you a ship so you can sail away if you’d like. But in return, I’d like to know everything possible to make this mission a success, because I’m not leaving. I was born in these lands—and I’ll die in these lands.”

I didn’t argue anymore, not when it was crystal clear that Huntley had his mind made up.

“But I urge you not to leave,” Huntley said. “Because your people are working their hands bloody for these monsters, and they’ll do that for the remainder of their miserable lives unless you help them. Your entire kingdom, with the exception of the few of you, have become enslaved by these monsters. If you have a chance to save them, your duty obligates you to try.”

They were all quiet, letting Huntley’s words seep into their flesh and bones.

I admired my brother for his spine and integrity, for his ability to change opinions with the power of his words. The odds of success were minuscule, but somehow, he motivated me to gamble on those odds.

“If we agree…” Mary exchanged another look with Paul. “What’s your plan?”

“The plan is simple,” Huntley said. “We destroy the crystals before they destroy us.”

TWENTY-SIX

AURELIAS

I grabbed my belongings and entered the castle. General Macabre led me to a vacant bedchamber, a major upgrade from the cottage I’d had before, with its stunning views of the city. It was a great vantage point to spot an oncoming attack.

“What are you doing?”

I stood at the bed with my bags on top, about to pull out my things and get settled in. But I turned at the sound of her voice and faced her.

She stood in the open doorway, her dark hair in a braid, her blue eyes wounded from her father’s departure. “Come on.” She gestured for me to follow her. “You’re staying with me.”

“General Macabre escorted me here—”