Page 128 of The Darkness Within Us

Yes, I am.

WHEN THE DUKEDOM FINALLYappears far in the distance, Alessandra knocks on the roof of the carriage. The driver halts the horses, and she steps out. “I will be here. Come find me when it’s done. I will be ready. To celebrate or to comfort you. Whichever you end up needing.”

“Thank you,” I say. “Kyros, remain with the queen.”

The man’s feet have barely hit the ground before I shout, “Drive!”

A whip cracks, and the carriage takes off again. When we clear the beautiful trees and the glorious Pholios Estate appears ahead, I see the masses. My servants all surround the front doors, palace guards keeping them in check. Another set of guards comes forward, ordering the carriage to halt.

“Let us pass,” I snap at the man daring to stop us.

“The king has ordered the estate evacuated. No one is allowed to enter.”

“That is my home. You will let us pass at once.”

“I’m afraid not, Your Grace. We have our orders.”

“Drive around,” I order the driver. We’ll take the back entrance if necessary.

“This is as far as this coach goes,” the guard barks. More men surround the horses.

I fling open the opposite side door and make a run for it. A group of guards chases after me, but I bolt for the hedge maze. At first, I worry they will overtake me, but after I make the first turn, they start to fall behind, lost within the greenery, unable to deduce what turns I make until I’m too far ahead. One guard tries to throw himself over the top of the hedges, but he only falls hard to the ground on the other side. His progress is too slow.

When I reach the unfinished center, I make for the exit on the other side. I know this path like the back of my hand. When I’m through, I don’t glance over my shoulder. Instead, I bolt for the back of the house, finding the servants’ entrance.

It’s quiet as the grave within, since all the servants were forced outdoors. I had feared I would enter the home to the sound of shattering glass and smashing furniture.

But there is nothing.

And devils, but the estate is enormous. Where could they be? It’s midday. Perhaps Eryx would have been in the study?

I try there first, but the door is locked, and I don’t hear voices within. My skeleton key is in my rooms, but I don’t take the time to grab it. I doubt they’re behind the locked door. Perhaps Eryx had been napping when the king found him? Dare I check the cellar?

No, I’ve been training him on etiquette and the proper way things are done. I know exactly where the two men are.

My parlor. It’s the king. Eryx would have welcomed him in the best room in the estate. The one I fashioned just for callers. He probably didn’t even suspect the reason the king showed up was because I ratted him out.

I hear the voices long before I reach my destination.

“Stay back. Both of you.” This from Eryx. “This is between me and the king.”

Kallias says, “This doesn’t have to get physical, but if it does, you will lose. I cannot be killed.”

“I’m pretty difficult to kill, myself.”

“Difficult and impossible are two different things.”

“I saidstay back, Argus. Leave us.”

“Please, sire.” I pick out Dyson’s voice. “The duke is harmless. I don’t know what imaginings the duchess might have shared with you—”

“Dyson, shut up for once in your devils-damned life!” Eryx barks.

There is the briefest of pauses as I finally reach the doors.

“Show me your real face,” Kallias says. “Show me who you really are. I felt it, you know, something different about you at the ball. I never could have guessed it was this.”

I burst into the parlor, and all four men snap their necks to me. Before I can even get out a word, the unthinkable happens, quick as the blink of an eye.

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