Would he ascend, as Chaos predicted?
The possibility of achieving his goal at long last...didn’t thrill him as it should have. He scowled, his default expression since meeting the snarpy. Why couldn’t he rejoice at the thought of surpassing Erebus’s level of power? Of annihilating every phantom in existence? Of making his parents regret their actions toward him and his siblings? Of escaping the endless cycle of wedding and killing?
Although, if he murdered his gravita, he might find himself embroiled in a far worse curse.
10
Stupid chastity belt! Taliyah stomped through the palace, crystal in hand, on the hunt for Blythe, Isla or a key. With every step, the metal plate rubbed a very sensitive spot, keeping her on edge. No doubt the designer hoped to torment as much as guard her precious virginity.
She’d tried to remove the belt with a blade, but she’d only sliced herself. Didn’t help that the weakness she’d experienced during the battle with Roc lingered, gaining new ground. And yes, she called him Roc now. No need to make a big deal out of it. The shorter pronunciation saved time, that was all.
Anyway. As soon as Roc fell asleep, she’d rid herself of the weakness. Feeding and feeding and feeding. All would be well.
Her wings rippled with anticipation. If everything went according to plan, her widowhood kicked off before sunrise. If she merely managed to fatigue him, so be it. She had plenty of time to ensure her win.
Snaking around a corner, she entered a hallway with six doors. Three on the left, three on the right. No sign of her sister or niece among the sleepers but... Hmm, that’s new.
At the other end of the hall, someone had framed the windows with... What was that? Some kind of stone? She glided closer to the arching pane of stained glass.
She reached out, the hairs on her nape standing at attention. The substance, whatever it was, was gunmetal gray and jagged, pulsing with energy. Upon contact, a thousand invisible bugs crawled over her skin, biting and stinging. A sensation she recognized.
Taliyah faltered, her stomach roiling. The Astra had bordered the window with a combination of fireiron, demonglass and cursedwood. Trinite, Roc had called it. My kryptonite.
Well, after she finished her search, she’d just have to even the playing field.
Determined, Taliyah headed for the last room on tonight’s list. The library, an enormous, three-tiered room filled with countless books about harpies and the many different species they warred with. Among other things. The first floor gleamed like a lake of fire, the second like a layer of ice, the third a combination of the two. Flanking the heart were statues of past Generals.
With the crystal in hand, she discovered row after row of cots lined the library in the duplicate realm. Harpies slept here, there, everywhere. Still no sign of Blythe, Isla or a key.
Disappointed but more determined, she switched her efforts to Roc’s destruction. Taliyah rigged a chandelier to fall within the next twenty-four hours, messed with electrical wires to fry whoever flipped the switches and loosened select balcony rails.
As she finished up, a short, dark-skinned brunette and a tall, fair-skinned blonde with curlers in her hair rounded a bookshelf.
Concubines.
Taliyah paused. Dressed in bathrobes, the pair perused the vast array of tomes while drinking canned soda from a straw and whispering between themselves.
Could they be used for intel?
Approaching, she tried for a friendly greeting. “Hey, guys. It’s me, your Commander’s new bride or whatever. How about a chat?”
In unison, they drew up short. Neither projected fear. Fools. She’d changed out of her dress and into battle regalia. Roc’s discarded weapons were strapped all over her body.
Yeah, she’d sneaked into the neutral zone before beginning her hunt. He’d been long gone.
“You are Taliyah, yes?” the brunette asked.
“Yep. The one and only.” How loyal were they to the Astra? Could they be bought? “What’re your names?”
The brunette introduced herself first. “I’m Teriella. Teri.”
The blonde—the one who resembled Taliyah—took a sip of soda and belched into her hand. “I’m Kindred.”
Up close, Taliyah clocked their differences. Kindred was a couple of inches shorter, with pointy ears. Her rosy skin resembled polished pearls. An elf, then. She smelled like a lilac garden.
“We thought we’d grab some books,” Kindred said, “but we’ll leave you to your...whatever you’re planning.”
“Stay. I can help you find the best books. Is there a particular subject you’re interested in? We have a couple shelves devoted to romance novels, if that’s your thing.”
“Lookit, I don’t want to be rude or anything, but you aren’t winning us over to your side.” Teri edged away. “We won’t help you escape, and we won’t harm our men on your behalf.”
“As if I need help.” She kept her focus on Kindred. “You are in love with Roc?”
The elf laughed. “Lady, you’ve got it all wrong. I’m living my dream life. Fierce protectors, good sex and great friends. I’m not giving it up for a dead harpy walking.”