“You were really convincing,” I said, looking pointedly at Tadmir.
The Malefic Fae lifted a shoulder. “We all make sacrifices for the greater good. Mine is to temporarily hold off on a powerful alignment. Shadow’s will be to kill his Elemental mate and take my daughter at a later date.”
My stomach twisted at the casual way he just informed me of Aflora’s pending assassination. But what really bothered me was Shade’s bored expression, like the thought of hurting her didn’t impact him in the slightest.
Yet he hadn’t said anything about our quad-bond.
Which indicated there was more at play here than I knew, unless this was all leading up to that major reveal. Maybe he intended to take my throne, and that was his trump card.
Hmm, no. If that were the case, my father would be simmering with anger toward me. Instead, he seemed pleased to be bringing me into the fold, as he’d called it.
A knock sounded through the chamber, drawing my father’s gaze to the door. “Ah, that must be Danqris with our guest.” He glanced around the room as if to determine our readiness, then called out, “Enter.”
Danqris and Warlow entered with Headmaster Irwin clamped between them. The Death Blood professor’s eyes were wild as he took in the audience before him, his skin paling to a sheet of white. “I-I didn’t—”
“Silence,” my father bellowed, his cheeks reddening with anger. “You will speak when spoken to.” He shot a spell through the air, aimed at the headmaster’s mouth, physically silencing the fae. “Put him in the chair,” he instructed, gesturing to the lone visitor chair that no one ever wanted to find themselves in.
I swallowed and risked a glance at Shade.
He didn’t give anything away, yet somehow, I sensed his unease.
Yes, something was definitely not right here. What game are you playing? I wanted to ask him, but the attention in the room had shifted to the sweating headmaster. He appeared ready to pass out.
“Shadow, enlighten everyone with the information you provided me,” my father instructed.
I already knew what story he intended to share with the room—the one Aflora had given us the other day about her psychometry experience.
Only, as Shade spoke, I noticed he left out key details of her encounter. Such as how the power felt familiar and how she sensed the energy during the initial attack. He did include the bit about the fae sending her a message, but he changed the message slightly, making it less personal and more of a warning.
“He informed her that they would be coming for her soon but didn’t say when” was Shade’s summary. “I’m monitoring the situation.”
My father nodded at that last sentence, pleased with Shade’s supposed acquiescence.
Yet I knew the real story and saw how he morphed the truth to give the Council just what they wanted to know, without revealing the crucial points.
Just like he frequently did with me.
I took that as a sign to not write him off just yet. He seemed to be playing a role here, as he did with everything.
All right, I thought. I’ll play along. For now.
“Do you believe Headmaster Irwin knowingly provided her with the item, or was he enchanted?” Chern asked, speaking up for the first time today. The intricate patterns woven into his bald scalp seemed to thrive with power as he engaged his Sangré magic to determine the various logical avenues of this situation.
“I believe he was enchanted,” Shade admitted. “He seemed rather out of it that day in class, like he was speaking without really being there.”
Headmaster Irwin started to nod, but a look from my father froze the male in place.
“There are ways to determine what he knew and what he didn’t,” Chern murmured. “I would need a few hours with him.”
“Would you mind allowing Kolstov to join you for the interrogation? I feel it would be a good learning experience,” my father said. “It’ll also provide a reasonable introduction into what we know about the resistance, too.”
Chern nodded. “I would be happy to bestow my experience upon him.”
I suspected that would include a magical transfer of knowledge, given that was what Sangré Bloods were most well-known for doing.
“May I join as well?” Shade asked. “As the key witness, I may have some additional suggestions for your line of questioning.”
“Of course,” my father replied, glancing at Chern. “Assuming you agree?”