And the vampire recognized that. He held his hands up in surrender. “I don’t want war.”
“Considering my elite forces just took out several vampires camped along the outskirts of my circle, and a few within castle grounds, I think otherwise.”
I kept my expression neutral, not wanting to let my surprise show. Logically, I understood there had been no time for Wrath to share what he’d learned, but I wished he’d mentionedsomethingbefore they arrived.
Not hindered by the ice that now coated the floor, Wrath slowly descended the steps, the apex predator on the prowl. “Is there anything you’d like to confess? Now is the time.”
Calculation flickered in Blade’s otherwise emotionless eyes. “I brought protection. Everyone knows traveling across the realm is dangerous. Lesser demons, errant souls.”
The Prince of Wrath now stood within arm’s reach of the vampire. Tension filled the throne room, and I fought the urge to stand beside my husband. This was his battle, his move.
The demon soldiers seemed to feel the same compulsion—perhaps it was the sin they all aligned with. Their need to unleash their anger and pummel anyone brazen enough to lie to their king. Given the way Wrath cocked his head, I imagined that was exactly what Blade had done.
Stupid. It was a move he’d no doubt regret. Though I was hardly sorry for him, either.
“You were accompanied by one of the most vicious creatures in the land. How many vampires did you truly need to protect you?” His gaze flicked to the frozen witch. “Anir?”
Wrath’s second-in-command allowed a slow, nasty smile to spread across his face at his king’s summons. The demon nodded, indicating it was time to reveal whatever they’d previously discussed. As a former fighter, Anir had likely been waiting for this moment, hoping it would come to this. The human bowed, then left the chamber, the soles of his fine boots slapping against the marble. My husband turned his attention back to the vampire.
“Last chance, Blade. Tell me the true purpose of your visit and you’ll walk away unscathed. Lie and you’ll suffer for it.”
Defiance fell over the vampire like a royal mantle. “I told you. I’m here to form an alliance with you for my prince. Unlike the goddess of death, we do not want to tear this realm apart.”
“Very well.”
Wrath’s tone was deceptively calm, crisp. No more threatening than a few snowflakes falling lazily from the sky on an otherwise cloudless day. I saw the truth of what it meant and fought a shudder. It was not the soothing sort of calm that indicated peace or serenity; it was the kind of charged tranquility that made the hair on my arms stand on end. Wrath’s cool demeanor was meant to lure his adversary into a false sense of security as the true threat approached.
We were in the eye of the storm now, teetering on the precipice of what promised to be the worst of what was to come. And the vampire had no idea he’d started an avalanche that would soon bury him.
A few moments later, the double doors burst open, and Anir strode in ahead of a chained prisoner. Guards flanked the young blonde woman, swords at the ready.
My features remained impassive as they approached the dais, but I watched Blade out of the corner of my eye. He’d flinched the second he saw the girl. Wrath caught the action, too; he allowed the barest hint of a smile to curve his lips.
“The prisoner, your majesty.” Anir stepped to the side and allowed the chained woman to approach. Before she smiled wide enough to show fangs, her red eyes gave her away as a vampire. Despite the rough spun dress she wore, the haughty tilt of her chin indicated a high standing member in their court. She ignored Blade and moved her narrowed gaze to me. Something like alarm crossed her features before she’d adopted that indolent expression again.
Wrath did not bother with introductions or pleasantries. “This was one of the vampires my forces found on the grounds of House Wrath. Are you certain there isn’t anything you’d like to tell me now, Blade?” The vampire clenched his teeth together, slowly shaking his head. Wrath looked at the prisoner with deadly fire in his eyes. “Put the charm on.”
Anir held up a strange necklace. A teardrop ruby the size of a robin’s egg hung from a gold chain that looked to be woven with some organic material. An uncomfortable feeling had me sitting back, not wanting to get near whatever magic sparked from the charm.
“No.” The woman was either fearless or stupid. Or perhaps she knew a worse fate awaited her at home if she betrayed her prince.
Blade remained stoic as the guards took hold of her, forcing her to her knees. Anir looped the necklace over her head and quickly stepped back. A shimmering, almost clear veil appeared, draping over her entire body. It melted into her skin, and I watched in horror as her hair changed from golden wheat to dark brown. Her pale skin shifted to bronze, and her features slowly took on a familiar heart-shaped form. I stood, shaking my head. “How is that possible?”
The vampire looked up at me, her eyes flashing from warm brown to rose-gold. The face that stared back at me was my own. A perfect replica.
Goose bumps rose over my body. It was like looking in a mirror. Not in the familiar or comforting way of being a twin, but an invasive foreign way that made me feel vulnerable. Every detail, from my newestSEMPER TVVSmarriage tattoo that Wrath shared to our bond tattoo, was also on the vampire.
I pressed a hand to my chest, and she mimicked the movement. It was eerie, having someone mime your actions less than a second after you’d moved. My gaze cut to the charm, and I suddenly knew what the organic material was: my hair.
Somehow, some way, she’d gotten a lock and had performed dark magic. It was something Nonna Maria always warned us about and why she’d insisted we burn our nail and hair clippings. I’d thought she was overly cautious and superstitious. And yet she’d been correct. An enemyhadused them against me. If Nonna feared us, then why protect us?
I didn’t have time to sort out any theories. Wrath glanced to me, his expression inscrutable. “Ask her what her mission was.”
Understanding what he truly meant, I inclined my head. I whispered the Latin that would force the truth from her. She had just enough time to shoot Blade a worried look—still wearing my face—before the spell lashed out and gripped her. “Why were you sent here?”
Unlike my twin, her will wasn’t nearly as strong; she broke easily. “To seduce the king.”
Fury fueled my magic, and I speared into her mind, demanding more truth. “For what purpose?”