Page 25 of The Stars are Dying

“Don’t test me, Fennik,” Hektor drawled with all the power of the room.

Fennik’s mouth grew in a slow curl as he returned his eyes to me. “How can we be certain she is what you say?”

That sparked my interest, though not with anything good. I listened to Hektor stand, ripples of his presence encasing me as he closed in. When his fingers brushed over my neck I drew a shallow gasp, stepping back, which only pressed me tighter to him.

“You don’t have to be afraid,” he whispered over my ear.

Afraid was not the reaction bubbling inside me. It was embarrassment, vulnerability, and I hated every note of it. My teeth clenched as he undid the buttons of my overcoat. His hands slipped into the material, peeling it from my shoulders with purposeful attention like the grand unveiling of a statue. And the eyes of the men widened to gawk at me as such.

I couldn’t hear through the pounding in my ears. My gown was sleeveless with a low, curving neckline, and instinct made me hug my arms as though I were naked at the attention of the strangers raking over me. I bit back my whimper when Hektor took my wrists, gently guiding my arms to my sides.

“She is the most unique thing,” he said with an air of wonder, trailing slow fingers over my silver markings while the other men studied me.

Not out of affection, but to show his claim over me.

“If she is as valuable as you say, surely not even an island is enough of a trade.”

“Volanis isn’t just any island, as you are well aware. Many have coveted the volcanic isle, many have gone to your Overlord with high prices indeed, and never has he been tempted to sign away his claim to it.”

“And you think she is the price that will make him finally break?”

“Vermont would not have sent you in response to my letter if not.”

My corset became too tight, the air far too thick. I couldn’t be hearing this right. Hektor couldn’t be talking about me as no more than a currency to trade.

“I’m not for sale,” I whispered. Every inch of me was vibrating, but I had to react.

Spinning, I didn’t even make it one step before Hektor caught me. His hands on my arms were tight, but I couldn’t feel it with the cold embracing me. My eyes stung more. I couldn’t stand the thought of them seeing my tears and I wished for Hektor’s pain to keep them from falling.

“Don’t cause a scene,” Hektor warned, a low breath across my ear as he stroked my hair.

“Please don’t do this,” I said.

“It is for us, darling, trust me.”

I never had, and I never would, trust the manipulative Hektor Goldfell.

“We have yet to see if she is capable of anything you say,” Fennik said. “Vermont will want to see her.”

That wouldn’t happen. I would sooner run from this manor and not stop until the fire in my lungs killed me. I would sooner kill all of them. The thought was as soul-tarnishing as it was liberating.

I couldn’t make sense of what they wanted with me—what lies Hektor might have told in this grand scheme to win anislandby fooling a pirate overlord.

“Then he should have come here himself,” Hektor replied. His hand stroked along my arms, and I couldn’t shrug out of it, not wanting to turn and face those men who feasted on me.

“You know he wouldn’t risk crossing the sea and leaving Volanis open to threat,” Fennik said.

“Then I wonder how he has not gone mad ruling without a counsel he can trust to operate in his stead.”

“Volanis produces the highest value minerals. It makes up a great deal of trade across the entire continent. I’m sure you can see why the temptation of greed might have made even those he trusts the most willing to risk a civil war to claim a vacant throne.”

“What I can see”—Hektor turned me slowly in his grip, and I dropped my eyes pitifully as I faced them again—“is that Vermont wants this trade to sever his ties to an island that has become a great burden, but he does not want to let go of the wealth associated with his position. This gives him exactly what he has wanted for a very long time. A new lifetime of security.”

Fennik looked me over again, and while I wanted to avert my gaze out of repulsion, I studied him back. All of them, not wanting to miss a thing.

“That is how you keep the vampires away?” he asked skeptically.

“We have an arrangement. One that will continue in my absence.”

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