Page 14 of Land of Shadow

The front door opens, calling my attention away from the press conference.

The guard nods at the newly-arrived guests, who I assume are late press members—at least until I see them. I recognize the first man immediately. His deep blue eyes sweep the room and seize on me as he walks with neat, measured strides toward the reception room. I stare, unable to look anywhere else but at him. Tall, lean but strong, he wears his suit like he was born into it. Impeccable. Handsome. Undeniably cold. His strange magnetism rankles, but even so, I’m drawn in. Watching him as he watches me.

Valen Dragonis is dangerous. I know that much. Anything else about him is a mystery. Behind him, a man with white-blond hair and steely gray eyes follows.

Valen breaks his gaze with me as he walks into the press briefing along with the blond man. They climb the few steps to the stage and take up positions behind my sister.

I find myself clenching the doorframe as they stand at her back, both of them towering over her as she speaks. Vince is to the side, his eyes on the men, his hand not quite on his gun but at his hip all the same. It’s like a reflex for him, sensing trouble but trying to stay calm.

“… presidency isn’t for the faint of heart. I think all of you here know that I’m not a shrinking violet when it comes to doing the work of governing. Texas is strong, our people are fed, and we are maintaining order here in Austin and all over the state. There has been no looting, no massive waves of crime, no constant shortages that other states are experiencing. I’m here to lead. And in that vein—” She smirks a little. “I’m here to give you a roadmap of what my first year will be like.”

“Aren’t you getting the cart ahead of the horse?” a reporter calls.

Fatima steps forward, poised to scold—but Juno waves her back with a gentle hand movement. “No, it’s all right. It’s a fair question. The presidency is still up for grabs, and if you’ve had your ear to the ground, you know that President Gray doesn’t intend to leave office without a fight. There’s a saying ‘you don’t have to attend every fight you’re invited to’, but I certainly disagree. I feel it would be rude not to attend, and tonight is when I officially RSVP.” Pregnant pause as she scans the room. Juno has always been able to hold a crowd in the palm of her hand. Tonight is no different. “In my first year as your president, I vow that the federal governmentwilldevelop a cure for the plague.”

Candice turns to look at me. My knees go a little weak as the reporters erupt in shock, some in jeers, others in jaded laughter. A few of them leave, anger powering their steps as they hurry through the foyer and out into the night.

“Settle down!” Fatima yells in her schoolteacher voice. “Settle down, please!”

The guffaws lessen somewhat, but plenty of whispers remain. “Nothing like campaign promises,” someone mutters. “—going to eat her alive… –Gray will become our Dear Leader at this rate.”

Juno turns to Valen. He steps up beside her, his black suit seeming to swallow the light just as his cold gaze swallows the whispers. His presence is curious, not just to the press but to me as well.Curiosity is dangerous.

“Now, to show you the truth of my claim, I’m prepared to give a demonstration.” Juno’s voice rings out clear and strong.

“What?” I step forward, but Candice keeps her grip on my arm. We’re just inside the reception room now, all eyes on Valen.

“Vince, if you please.” Juno rolls up her sleeve and holds out her arm.

My insides twist as Vince pulls out his pocketknife and opens it, the silver glinting in the bright lights.

“What in the name of—” Candice yelps.

Vince, without hesitation, cuts a long gash down Juno’s arm.

The entire room gasps, and I pull away from Candice and try to push my way through the throng of reporters. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but I don’t like it. I need to get to Juno.

“Witness!” Juno calls with the fervor of an old-timey preacher.

I keep pushing despite some of the people throwing elbows or trying to block me as everyone crushes forward for a better look. By the time I reach the front and have a clear view of Juno again, Valen is drawing a silver blade across his palm. When he pulls away, I see blood on his pale skin, the flesh neatly split.

“Stop!” I yell.

Vince jumps down from the stage and barrels toward me.

“Juno!” I drag my eyes away from him to stare at the deep cut on her arm. Oh god, Vince cut tendons. It’s almost down to the bone. I have to help her now or she’ll lose function. Fuck!

Valen holds up two fingers, each of them streaked with his blood. Then, with a smooth movement, he swipes his blood across her wound.

“Don’t!” I yell as Vince makes it to me and grabs my arm.

Juno’s gaze locks on me. “Trust me,” she says through the din of shocked reporters. “Trust me, Georgia.”

I fight to get to the stairs, but Vince isn’t letting go. “Wait!” he hisses. “Just wait!”

“What the fuck?” The reporters behind me are still jostling forward, and the cameras at the side of the room have moved in closer. Blood draws journalists like shit draws flies.

“Let go!” I yell at Vince. He refuses and bears my anger with a stoicism that pisses me off even more.

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