Page 15 of Princess

A cold pit formed in my stomach.

“They injected the dead with hellhound serum, and after they transformed, they let them kill the children.”

I shot to my feet.“What?”

“They left a message for you.”

“For me?”My voice was sharp with disbelief.“Not King?”

Beck’s jaw flexed.“Knet told them who’s in charge now.They know it’s you, and the message proved it.”

My hands clenched into fists."What do they want?"

“Your head on a pike,” Beck said.“The president’s wife returned unharmed.And every Shadow Warrior to turn themselves in.”

“Or else?”Ms.Beast surged inside me, hunger curling like fire in my gut.Teeth.Claws.Rip them apart.

King’s hand closed over mine.My lungs expanded as I sucked in oxygen.Ms.Beast retreated.

“They’ll kill every man, woman, and child they come across,” Beck said.Then, for the first time since this nightmare unfolded, his tone shifted.“I do have somewhat good news.Three additional outposts have requested our aid.They want to meet with the Shadow Warrior in charge.”

His eyes met mine.“They’re willing to meet at a place of your choice.”

I turned to King.“What are your thoughts?”

“They come here,” he said.“We supply the plane.There’s a chance this is a trap.The outposts that refused our help have always kept their distance from Landan and his people.We have no way to vet them.”

“I agree.What about the rest of you?”My eyes met each Warrior in turn.

“Agreed,” Beck said.

“Axel?”I asked.

He exhaled sharply.“We have nothing to go on when it comes to your pregnancy, and you’re safer here.Even if I went with you, that wouldn’t change.I have the best labor and delivery unit here at the citadel.You need to stay close.”

Before I responded, Cabel spoke.

“I have a better idea,” he said.“You won’t like it, but hear me out.”

I folded my arms.“Go on.”

“Let King take the lead while you stay in the background.Knet didn’t know about your pregnancy, and the quieter we keep it, the better.”

I considered his idea carefully.

This was hard.But he was right.

I turned to Beck.“Send them a message.Tell them King will arrange a plane.I also need you to offer the outposts we already protect another opportunity to relocate here.I know they probably won’t take it, but suggest it again.If they’re only willing to send their noncombatants and children, we will keep them safe.”

Beck gave a firm nod.“Consider it done.”

Chapter Seven

King

Marinah handled taking a back seat better than expected.It impressed me because I didn’t know if I could have done it.The upcoming negotiation was important, and even I thought she would be better at it.My patience wasn’t the best, especially since she became pregnant.My outward calm for her sake was getting harder to maintain.I wanted to wrap her in cotton, take her to the safest place I could find, and sit on her until our child was born.

I, fortunately, understood it wouldn’t happen unless I wanted my head separated from my shoulders with a bloody mess to show for it.

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