Page 102 of Queen of Diamonds

There was no blood. No... anything that would explain what had happened. The trembling fingers of my free hand searched her body desperately, trying to understand, until I found something below her left shoulder.

I pulled it free, staring at the tiny dart.

Poison...

My reluctant mind caught on.

This death was meant for me.

“Your pack’s specialty, is it not?”

I looked up at him in shock, mind reeling as I tried to keep up. I had to keep up. She was dying. I couldn’t kill him, not until I knew how.

“The same one...?” My voice was a faint rasp. Kyan would have an antidote.

If I could just get her out...

The red dot still hovered, a promise that at the slightest movement, this would all be over.

“I was always destined for this, Zed. To see you at my feet.”

“Is it the same poison?” I asked again. They needed to know—Kyan did. If it was the one he’d used on my father, he’d have the antidote.

How much time did we have?

“Dad loved his poker, didn’t he?” Ace went on, ignoring me, head cocked as he stared down at us. “The proof is in the game.” His smile was wild. “What is the only card worth more than a king?”

He was mad.

Completely and utterly.

But Glade was running out of time. I needed to get her out. Plans spun and died, threats looming from every direction.

I clutched her close, like holding on would stop the poison.

I couldn’t let her die.

“I loved playing with her, Zed. She changes even the best laid plans. Turns out a stolen scent match is worth even more than my own.” He took another step, his knuckle tracing the gun I still held at him. As useless as it was. “I’m not ready for this to be over, not when she fought so hard.” He closed the last step between us. “I’ll give you one hour. Then I’m coming for all of you.”

I couldn’t process what he was saying. Did he mean?—?

But the red dot vanished from Glade’s forehead as Ace gripped my chin, forcing me to look up at him. His eyes danced with malice, his voice a low, predatory snarl.

“Run.”

35

ZED

They found me at least a block from the theatre. I hadn’t known where I was going, just that I had to get away.

I was in an alley when they pulled up.

“Glade!” Kyan’s voice was more broken than I’d ever heard.

“Poison.” It was all I could say, unable to look away from her as Kyan cupped her cheek, tanned fingers shaking. Then he was dragging me into the back seat. He tried to take her, but I couldn’t let her go.

The engine roared. Knight must be driving.

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