Page 48 of A Game of Monsters

“I trusted you,” I said, hurt by the very true accusation.

“Because I’m special.” Althea clearly didn’t believe me from the nudge of her shoulder into mine, as if we were two friends joking around.

“Robinissure about this,” Erix added for me. “Listen to him.”

Althea drew her eyes to Erix, reading into his protective stance and close proximity. She didn’t need to say it aloud, but I could see in her expression alone that she was wondering what was happening between us.

In truth, I was wondering the very same thing. My hand still throbbed with the way he held it, but that feeling wasn’t entirely uncomfortable.

“Do you remember Aldrick’s encampment beneath the castle?” I asked.

Althea winced. “How could I ever forget.”

“Well.” I was breathless, and yet I hadn’t moved a muscle. “Rafaela is currently occupying the Below as we speak. Altar knows for how long she’s been down there.”

Althea stepped in close, her entire demeanour hardening. “And you are confident of this?”

I nodded. I may have let them into this secret, but I wasn’t about to break my promise to Seraphine. “I amveryconfident.”

I held my breath, waiting for the inevitable question.How do you know?They didn’t ask.

“I really didnotwant to have to go back there,” Althea said, but I could see she would if required.

“Nor do you need to either,” I replied. “I’ll go. I’m familiar with the Below. It would be easier for one of us to slip in and out, than a group.”

And from one glance to Elinor, the horror on her face, I’d never want her stepping foot near that place again.

“I won’t agree to this.” Erix’s deep voice rumbled across my skin. “Robin, think.”

“I am, Erix” I snapped, fixing desperate eyes on him. “In fact, it is all I can do right now. Think and think until I feel like my skull is going to shatter apart. I’m sick to death of thinking, it’s time I do something.”

His lips parted, but another refusal didn’t come out. Erix bowed his head, took a step back and retreated.

“What I don’t understand, is why Cassial would lie,” Althea said. “He has been incredible thus far. I just don’t see why he would need to pretend Rafaela is in Irobel.”

“Only one way to find out,” I replied, practically buzzing with the need to go immediately and find out our answers.

“Sounds like another prison break,” Gyah added with a smile. “It’s certainly one way to spice up the pre-wedding nerves.”

“As I said, I’m going alone. But there is something you can help with.”

Elinor had kept silent, gaze lost to a spot on the floor as her own thoughts consumed her. I worried Cassial’s comments about babies had stayed with her, taunting Elinor for all she’d lost.

“Go on,” Althea encouraged, hand reaching to her belt on instinct. Usually she kept a blade there, but now it was only a beaded belt.

“I need alittledistraction,” I said. “Something that will keep Zarrel busy whilst I slip in and out.”

“I don’t like this,” Elinor finally spoke up. When she looked up at me, it was not with fear in her eyes, but something else. “Robin, I don’t want you to ever go back there.”

Elinor had spent years in the dark belly of Lockinge Castle. What she’d experienced during her imprisonment had left scars so deep that no time could heal them.

“I’ll be fine, Elinor,” I said, offering her a smile I hoped she believed. “I promise.”

“Then listen to Erix, and let him go with you. Please,” Elinor practically begged.

“If we are both seen missing, it will lead to questions no king should need to answer. I have to do this alone. Not only to keep the Nephilim from getting suspicious but because… if anything happened to her, whatever this punishment has been, it was my doing.”

“Hold on,” Gyah added. “I’m not one to care about paperwork and treaties, but would this jeopardise what has been agreed, let alone the relationship we have cultivated with the humans?”

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