Page 125 of Merciless Is My Crown

“That oath is now void.” Every word was drenched in rage, not a shred of mercy in those glowing blue eyes.

“And lest you are planning to run to Serpens and sell us out”—Cosimo’s smile was pure death—“remember the last time you and I met, and consider that your only warning. Betray us, and I will take you apart and spread the pieces in the town square for the crows.”

“However, to prove we are not complete monsters, you can keep the necklace.” Torin waved her hand like the thing was a trinket from the fair, not a priceless artifact. “As a token of our good faith.”

“I will never forget this,” the mage hissed at Torin, now flanked by Zephryn and Cosimo, and I wondered if perhaps Trubahn had a death wish, given the expressions on the two males’ faces.

“Neither will I, you piece of shite,” Torin said coldly. “Now begone, before you end up dead or worse.”

Cold washed through the room, raising the hair on my arms and sending a shiver right through me. Tristan rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes meeting mine. That was magic.

The mage disappeared, head held high, wearing his bruised ego like a shield. The moment he was gone, Torin threw herself at Cosimo and started to sob. The astrologer just winked.

“That was an obliviation spell I hit Trubahn with before he left. By the time he arrives at home, he won’t remember a thing about tonight, including who he saw.”

Torin scrubbed the tears from her face. “He’ll have the pendant and not a clue where it came from. That mystery alone should keep him busy for a few days, at least.”

Tavion and Zor tracked Trubahn’s obnoxious carriage back to the south end of Blackcastle to make sure he didn’t head straight to the Keep and turn us in to the king for the reward.

Tristan headed upstairs to find Cosimo some real clothes to wear, while Raziel and I went to scrounge up some food. “Too bad Bexley’s not here.” I set my hands on my hips and surveyed the barren pantry. “He could whip us up a feast in seconds.”

“I could go down to the North Road and petition a passing farmer for a handout.”

“And bring the king’s soldiers straight to our door.” I frowned. “With that army camped on our doorstep, there’s no food for miles.”

“I’d say that’s a good guess.” Raziel cracked his neck. “But I know where the supply wagons are.” A ghost of a smile played on his lips when his eyes met mine. “I could…borrow some rations.”

“That’s a big risk to take.” I scanned the empty shelves again. “But if we’re going to be here a few more days, we’ll have to eat.”

“I’ll find Zor. We’ll be in and out so fast nobody will even see us.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’d better be. Otherwise, this mission will be over before it’s even begun.”

The air shifted when Cosimo swept into the room, still wrapped in the blanket, Torin and Zeph trailing behind him. “Tor told me all about you, Anaria. Of what happened in Caladrius.” I shrank beneath that steely stare, and Raziel’s blue-black magic hazed the air between us.

“Did she tell you about these?” My hand shook when I pulled the handwritten page out of my cloak, hopelessly crumpled after so much transporting. “Did she tell you who…and what we are?”

Finally, we’d know whether those two monsters could be killed.

Whether we stood any chance at surviving this, or if we were doomed to be their minions until they either killed us off or we became the very thing we despised.

The astrologer shook his head like he was in a daze. “She did. The Old Gods brought back to life.” He hesitated then reached for the papers. “Before she locked me away, I discovered the cycles and theorized they occurred because of the Old Gods. Torin had just figured out who the Oracle was, but then I was imprisoned before I could do anything to stop her.”

He let out a mirthless snort. “All I could do was watch. The joke’s on her, though, since I saw everything.”

I frowned. “You lost three hundred years of your life.”

“I spent them hanging around the Oracle’s neck.” Cosimo’s eyes glinted. “Listening to every plot, every secret meeting, every strategic move she made. Except for the past few months, which I spent inside a drawer, I presume.”

His blue eyes sparkled. “She created the perfect spy without even meaning to.”

“You heard everything she’s ever said?” I echoed hollowly. This was more than I’d ever hoped for. With this information, we could outmaneuver the Oracle. Once that page of symbols was deciphered, maybe we could kill them. I tried to quell my knee-weakening rush of relief.

With luck, this was almost over.

Cosimo’s mouth twitched as I set the papers into his hand. “Every word. Which means, the moment she realizes the pendant is missing, she’ll come looking.” His body stiffened at his preliminary scan of my notes. “Where did you get this information?”

“An old book in Stormfall’s library. The fortress of the High Barrens Coven.”

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