Page 112 of Merciless Is My Crown

“That means he didn’t bring himself here.”

“The Oracle did. This is a trap, Bella.” I curled myself over Raziel’s limp form, scanning the room crowded with gawkers. “We need to get these people out of here. Fast.”

Bella was already on her feet. “Everyone get outside to their positions. If the Oracle is coming, we have to?—”

“Oh, it’s much too late for that.”

With her red lips curved into one of the most wicked smiles I’d ever seen, the Oracle stepped out of nowhere, like she’d opened up a doorway in time, setting her bare feet on the stone symbol carved into the floor.

“You destroyed something that belonged to me.” Her gaze dipped to Raz. “So I decided to take something of yours. An eye for an eye, as they say.”

Her beautiful face was carved to cruel perfection, sloped, dark onyx eyes glinting with malice. And vengeance. She wore only shadows—black, writhing shadows crafted from the deepest darkness—to hide her curves.

She’d hurt Raziel.

The entire room disappeared into a smear of rage.

“You fucking bitch,” I growled, Tavion shooting to his feet beside me.

“Now, now, that’s no way to talk to your betters, Anaria of Varitus. Or is it Caladrius? Or the High Barrens? I always get so confused. No matter. Did you really think I’d buy your foolish attempt to distract me? What are you up to, you wicked little thing?” That evil, arrogant smile consumed her entire face.

My fingers curled with the need to tear it off.

The smile and her face.

Around me, the witches remained on their knees trembling, heads bowed. The Oracle noted my pause of confusion with a sly smile. “Isn’t it lovely? The bargain I struck with Vireena. Total, absolute obedience for as long as this coven exists. An eternity of submission from what used to be my greatest enemy. Beautiful, really, the irony.”

“You are a monster,” I said, then I reminded myself that my only purpose right now was to keep every single person here alive. “What did you do to him?”

“Nothing much. Just a shard of dragon glass from Darkhold. He caused such a scene there, releasing my prisoner, I decided turnaround was fair play. A bit of his own medicine, as it were. Then, of course, you made everything worse. I’ve kept Gattica’s skull all these years, as a reminder of…well, I’m sure you understand the nostalgia of old lovers.” The bitch winked at me and all that roaring fury just…stopped.

“What do you want?”

“I’d ask for Cosimo and the dragon back, along with the leverage they gave me over the seer, but I know I’d be wasting my breath.” Her gaze landed on Raz again. Lingered.

“You know what I want. Go to Solarys and kill the king. Raise the magic and give me the power I am due like the measly little worms you are. Or I’ll end him, right in front of you.”

No…no, something about this wasn’t right.

My anger winked out, replaced by some sixth sense warning me to look closer, to see what I’d missed. I’d bet everything on her not hurting Raziel.

And I wasn’t wrong. Not about this.

I tilted my head, scanning the grinning goddess up and down. “All in good time. I have shite to do before I go to Solarys.” I put every ounce of my hatred into my cold smile. “You can fucking wait, Gelvira.”

“You will do my bidding, half blood, or I will kill you off one by one.”

“No,” I said slowly. “You won’t, not until we’re done. I need Raziel to get close to the king. I need Zor to get us into the Keep. Tavion has contacts with the royals, and…” My smile dripped ice. “Well, hopefully you’re smart enough to get the idea. Touch one hair on anyone’s head and I will ensure you and your pile of shite brother will be starting all over again.”

“You cannot thwart my plan.”

“I am your entire plan, and that’s where you fucked up. Everything you have desired for so long rests with me and only with me.” I flexed my fingers again, wondering if her immortal neck would snap.

“A bad plan, I suppose, putting all your eggs in one basket, since you’re all about bandying clichés around tonight.”

Magic surged through me, a reminder I’d forgotten the iron bands upstairs. From Tavion’s sideways glance, he’d felt that pulse of power as well, and in that moment the entire world flickered.

Like what was right in front of me…wasn’t.

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