Page 21 of The Never List (Never List #1)

Rylee

Baydel scans the scroll containing my background—and my doom. “Rylee Gray,” he says. I hate the way his voice screeches over my name. “Parents caught not paying their taxes three quarters in a row, so they were sent on a Never List mission.”

What? No, they’d been caught across borders…

“Deceased,” he continues to read, halting my thoughts.

Pain cuts through my panic. I’d assumed they were dead, but there’d been that small fraction of hope that they had somehow found a way to live in Erithmore when there hadn’t been a thick black mark through their names on the Never List.

“One sibling,” he continues, and my heart stalls.

Erin .

“Volunteered for a Never List mission. Active,” he finishes, and I’m holding that smile in place so hard it hurts.

Volunteered?

Active on a Never List mission? There were no records when I searched on the night of the Choosing, but maybe there’s another list? One I missed. And volunteered ? There’s no way she would’ve done that. And the painting in the Ruby Aire… How could she have done that if she is on a mission?

The facts behind my parents’ names on the list are wrong. Could this be, too?

“Well,” Baydel continues. “Let’s hope your sister is faring better with her ambitions than you are with your food-obsessed ones.”

“Oh, I have no doubt,” I manage to say, my voice level despite the fear climbing. “She’s nothing if not resourceful.”

Kal gives me a sideways glance, surprise and a little hurt registering in his eyes at hearing the news. I try to give him a silent apology, but my focus is on the man across from me, my history in his hands. He’s about to read a much worse secret.

I shift in my seat. If I blast them with a wall of wind, I may clear this room, but I don’t have a shot of outrunning them through their own palace.

I glance around, noting the floor-to-ceiling windows. One of them is cracked open to let in the night air, and Baydel’s elite enforcer—the tall, broad-shouldered guard with the number one emblazoned on his uniform—is standing just in front of it. If I could make it past him, I might be able to jump out the window.

Would Kal catch me? He promised he always would, but who is to say he’d keep a promise to a girl he never truly knew?

“Birthplace,” Baydel says, and I feel the contents of my stomach climb up my throat.

How could I be stupid enough to believe I’d fool them—

“Cedar and Silk,” he continues reading, and I have to blink a few times to make sure I haven’t slipped the mental rung of sanity in my mind. “Lottery winner number 617805.” Baydel’s brow furrows, confusion flickering over his face. Almost as if he’d expected to read the truth I’ve buried.

Brooks leans back in his chair, the golden lights flickering over his dark-brown skin as the same calculating eyes that Pierce so often scans me with fall on me. I can’t tell if he’s surprised or disappointed, but I’m too panicked to care.

Jullian smiles softly at me, then Kal, returning to his dessert. Lucas strikes up a conversation with Brooks as if he’s used to ignoring Baydel when he’s on a tangent.

How in the goddess-damned sky does his research into my past say that?

Ivy?

She’s a master forger, but would she risk the repercussions of getting caught tampering with official royal documents?

She would.

In my heart, I know she absolutely would. We’re sisters not by blood but by soul; Layce, too. My chosen family. Erin used to round out our group, but that was before…

“When was the last time you saw your sister?” Kal asks.

“Over a year ago,” I admit.

“So, your potential didn’t even tell you she had a sister?” Baydel snatches up the opportunity. “Interesting. What else are you keeping from him?”

I weave a mask of innocence over my face. Baydel has been testing me from the second Jax chose me. I don’t know if he’s doing it because he wants the strongest mate possible for the Legends, or if he’s doing it in the hopes he’ll terrify me to the point of rejecting the Legends, leaving him in his ultimate position of power.

My money is on the latter.

I turn to Kal, sincere apology in my eyes as I lay my right hand over his, the ruby flickering under the golden lights. “I wanted to,” I admit, and it’s the truth. There were so many times when we were swapping stories that I wanted to tell him about Erin, but… “It’s hard for me to talk about her,” I continue. “Missing her is something I’ve had to live with and accept every day for a year. And after what happened to my parents, I have no hopes that she’ll ever return.” Tears catch up with my words, pooling in the corners of my eyes.

If Baydel is telling the truth and she’s really on a Never List mission…then I won’t see her again. I knew it was a possibility, but the reality of the situation punches me right in the chest.

“I understand,” Kal says, squeezing my hand in his.

Of course he understands. What part of me hasn’t Kal understood this entire time?

Jullian looks between us, his eyes settling on me in a curious way. There is something in that look, something I can’t quite—

“Thank you all for dinner,” Kal says, sliding back from his chair. His dessert is half eaten, but he keeps my hand in his, urging me to rise as well. I do, more than ready to get out of here.

“You can’t rush off yet,” Baydel says, pushing away from the table.

Kal pauses our retreat.

“I wanted to get your potential’s take on something,” Baydel continues, snapping his fingers as he rounds the table.

Kal shifts in front of me so subtly, it’s hard to notice.

Baydel’s elite enforcer, One , moves with a deadly grace as he crosses the room, focused on a concealed corner with another set of doors. In seconds, he’s back, his gloved fingers gripping the hair of a man as he drags him across the marble floor.

Every muscle in my body tenses as two Occuli follow behind the scene, their pitch-black eyes on me, green flames flickering in their hands, no doubt savoring every reaction of the man who’s flailing helplessly in One’s grip. They’ll write about it later for the royal post.

“Tell me, dear Rylee,” Baydel says, his demeanor completely changing with the Occuli’s presence. He gestures a hand to the man who is now on his knees, a black strip of cloth shoved into his mouth, muffling his pleas as One holds him by the roots of his hair. “If you were chosen by the Legends, if you were made mate and eventually queen , what would you do in this situation?”

A test.

Another fucking test.

I swallow the knot in my throat, blinking at the scene. Waiting for him to explain further.

“This man broke the law,” Baydel continues.

Brooks studies the man intently, and Jullian crosses his arms where he still sits. Lucas pops another berry in his mouth, his eyes lighting up like this is the first entertainment he’s seen in a long time.

“Execution or life in the dungeons?” Baydel asks.

Kal’s fingers twitch in mine.

“What is his crime?” I manage to ask.

“Does it matter?” Baydel drops his hand to his side. “He broke the law.”

The Occuli turn their unblinking stares on me, their pure black eyes somehow focusing on me. I’m used to their unnerving attention by now, but this situation is something else entirely. Baydel is testing me once again, and I feel like no matter what I answer, it’ll be wrong.

“Laws vary,” I say, forcing myself to concentrate. “So should the punishment. What is his crime?” I tip my chin ever so slightly, wanting the Occuli who will report on this later to not see an inch of my fear.

Baydel’s eyes narrow. “He’s a demi,” he says. “One who decided to use his powers to steal from us, keeping precious jewels that he found in the Ashlands for himself, his abilities allowing him to conceal them from the enforcers who collect goods at the end of every shift. One of his neighbors turned him in for a generous reward.”

Fear becomes a tangible, living thing in my chest.

The man in question looks down in shame, the truth of that crime evident all over his face.

“And if that isn’t enough,” Baydel continues, casually folding his hands before him, “he’s since tried to kill me with the little power he has.”

The man glares up, then thrashes out of One’s hold. He races toward Baydel, tied hands outstretched like he’ll strangle him. One snatches him back and forces him to his knees again.

Baydel grins triumphantly, never once flinching from the attempted attack.

“You see?” he asks, pointing at the man on the floor.

“What power does he have?” The question slips free before I can think to stop it. Each king is staring wide-eyed at me now, but even their scrutinizing looks can’t penetrate the terror lashing through my soul.

That man could be me .

I could be in One’s grip, desperate to be heard, to be freed.

“Why does it matter?” Baydel asks.

I’m shaking. My muscles are trembling from the adrenaline coursing through me, and there is no way Kal doesn’t feel it, doesn’t notice the shift in me. He leans deeper into my side—the slightest show of support. Goddess, he probably thinks I’m terrified of what’s to come.

If Baydel loves anything more than his power, it’s a good public execution, even if we’re the only audience.

I look directly at the Occuli, wanting them to quote me in the story but unsure if they will. “If his power poses a true threat to the kings of Lumathyst, then he’s a threat to everyone in Lumathyst—”

“He’s not a threat, little bug,” Baydel says, then straightens as he glances at the Occuli, remembering the performance he started. He laughs, a light, dismissive laugh that makes my stomach turn. “No one is a threat to us.” He motions to the other kings. “But he tried . Now, what do you say? Execution or dungeons?”

My eyes drop to the man on the floor. Sweat beads on his brow, but he’s stopped trying to break One’s hold. I look to One, scanning the mask covering his face as I try to meet the cold eyes of the guard. He doesn’t bother looking at me, doesn’t bother doing much of anything beyond what he’s told.

“Dungeons,” I say, my voice cracking over the word.

“On what grounds?” Baydel asks.

I have none. No solid evidence to stand on. The prisoner clearly just tried to attack Baydel, but still, there is a part of me that wonders if he’d been provoked. I’d wanted to lash out my first night in the palace when Baydel put his hands on me without my consent… That could be me , and if it were, I’d want someone to hear my side of the story. To give me a chance. “On the grounds that I don’t relish death,” I finally answer.

“He tried to attack one of your kings, and you would spare him?” Baydel flicks his wrist toward the man in question.

I don’t get a chance to answer.

“He dies,” Baydel says, and the man hauls himself to his feet with jagged movements. One releases him immediately, and bile climbs up my throat as I realize what’s happening.

Baydel is controlling him.

The man leaps across the marble floor like he’s rehearsing a dance. The Occuli sweep their green flames in time to his movements, never missing a single step as the man twirls and spins, all the while grunting with wide, panicked eyes.

I try to move—to do what, I’m not sure—but Kal holds me in place.

“A threat upon the life of a king is a forfeit of the life who dared it.” Baydel’s voice is laced with pure, undiluted delight as he maneuvers the criminal around the dining hall, each grand dance move more jagged than the next, each one bringing him closer and closer to that open window I thought about jumping out of earlier.

Oh, goddess, he’s going to—

The criminal spins in tight pirouettes, over and over again until he jerks to a halt and dips in the most forced bow I’ve ever seen. His eyes are filled with raw terror, the kind that has me swallowing icy breaths as my heart races.

Brooks shifts in his seat, like he wants to get a better view of the scene, and the criminal’s eyes soften just slightly, as if he’s fully accepted his fate—the calm of death washing over him with a tragic numbness that prickles my insides—

And then he leaps out the window, the muffled sounds of his screams echoing throughout the room as he disappears from sight.

I close my eyes, unable to stop my reaction. I know I should hold my mask, should smooth my features, should pretend like I’m okay with what happened, but I allow a few precious seconds to collect myself while the Occuli are still focused on the man falling to his death.

When I open my eyes, Baydel is watching me with a satisfied sort of smile that makes my legs shake.

Kal slowly turns us toward the doors, a casual move to initiate our exit.

“Now that that’s all settled,” Baydel says as we reach the doors, his voice too chipper for the gruesome scene he just directed. “Kal. Do me the honor of allowing me to escort your potential back to her rooms.” He’s not asking. Not after what just happened. Not after the power he just showed. “I’m sure you’ve already said your goodbyes.”

I can see the battle on Kal’s face. He’s actually contemplating arguing with Baydel—the king who just made a man dance to his death without showing any proof of his crimes. Kal’s silent concern fills my heart in a way I’ll never be able to fully express, but he has no business going toe to toe with Baydel. Not when his powers are no match for the king’s.

And besides, we’ve already agreed he’ll come with me tomorrow. No need to fight Baydel when this isn’t goodbye.

I force a smile to my lips, grinning up at Kal as I slip my arm from his. “I’ll see you when you visit the Sapphire Cove, yes?”

Kal nods, planting a quick kiss over my lips before reluctantly striding through the doors.

Baydel extends his arm, and I can’t help but glance back at the other kings. Jullian is standing, almost hovering near the edge of the table, Brooks near his side, with Lucas content, finishing his dessert. How can he eat after what just happened?

I slide my arm through Baydel’s because I’m in no position to refuse his offer, my skin crawling at every place of contact as he leads me through the doors and into the foyer. I half expect to see Kal lingering there, but if he is, it’s not where I can see.

The elevator doors open for Baydel once we reach them, as if they sense his presence, and quickly close behind us. He doesn’t drop my arm, and though he’s only an inch or so taller than me, I feel two feet tall, trapped in a golden cage with a ruthless killer.

His power is a threat I can feel biting at my skin, so much so that I have to hush mine in response to it.

“You know, I’m usually very good at reading people,” he says as the elevator takes us down. “Especially potentials.”

“That’s a neat trick,” I say, keeping my tone in the sweet zone, blinking frequently as if I have no cares in the world. As if I’m not panicking over what just happened, what he just did.

“You, though,” he says, ignoring my comment. “You’re much harder to read.”

“Huh,” I say, practically squeaking. I count the floors as we descend, the breath easing in my lungs as we reach my floor.

The doors slide open, and I move to step out, but Baydel jerks me back with nothing but his power, punching the button to close the doors and lock them there.

I try to move, but I’m immobilized. My mind whirls as it tries to scratch and claw its way from his hold.

Baydel walks in front of me, delight shining from his eyes at my frozen position. “I’m so glad to know you have a sister,” he says, his voice sugary. “It’s wonderful to have family you care about, and I can tell you care about her a great deal.” He smiles, looking me over. “Family is important. We’re nothing without our legacies…” His eyes shift to the side. “Even if those legacies disappoint us from time to time.”

He’s talking about Jax, but I have no clue how he could ever think him a disappointment or why he feels the need to immobilize me to say these things. Power-hungry bastard.

“I hope I’m wrong about you.” He inhales quickly through his nose a little too close to my neck for my liking. If I could cringe, I would. “Hope my son is right about you. For the sake of both our families,” he finishes, and his power releases my body so fast I almost tumble into him.

I right myself, my breathing shaky as he comes so close I can feel his breath on my cheeks. I want to back away, want to fight and cringe and get the fuck out of this elevator, but I can’t give him the satisfaction of the reaction he wants.

“Do we understand each other?”

Not even a little bit.

I swallow around the razors in my throat and nod.

“Good.” A slow grin spreads across his lips. “As you just witnessed, there is nothing in this world I cannot use to my advantage,” he says. “Nothing will ever stand in my way if I do not wish it to. Not even a potential.”

My comment earlier about choosing Kal, about what he’ll do when he’s on the throne, provoked this. My fucking mouth. My need to rise to every challenge. Goddess damn it, his threats are vague at best, but I might’ve inadvertently put Erin in harm’s way.

But if my records were changed, maybe whoever changed them changed Erin’s, too. Maybe she’s simply out there, living a life with someone she fell hard and fast for. Who knew one of my biggest fears could be one of my ultimate dreams?

I study Baydel as carefully as I dare, but he’s immortal and has played this game infinitely longer than me.

The doors open, and I step through them quickly.

“Who knows, Rylee,” Baydel says as I turn to face him where he remains inside the elevator. “If you’re smart, we may have a combined family. Perhaps I’ll find your dear sister so she can join us in the end.”

The doors close, and icy shivers skate across my skin.

He may have thought he veiled his threats, but I feel them with crystal clarity.

I can’t run my mouth again, or else Erin will pay the price.