Page 129 of Crown of Briars
“Sybelle, where are you?”Varius asked.
I couldn’t outright say,I’m in the Noxen Forest, or Warwick would get suspicious. I also didn’t know if Varius could hear my thoughts, or if he could only hear what I spoke vocally, like Azure.
So, I said loudly, “What are you even doing out here in these woods? Aren’t there supposed to be enchantments to keep fae out?”
My other hand was still holding the gleaming rose jewel. I knew if I dropped it, the horrible ringing sound would return. It would incapacitate Warwick… but it would affect me, as well.
I had to time this right.
“Yes, there are. But it looks like you have conveniently suppressed them. For now.” Warwick inched closer, and I drew a step back.
If he attacked, I wouldn’t be ready for him. I had to let go of the amber necklace and pray Varius had heard my response.
I didn’t know where Azure had vanished to. But it was good she remained hidden. Warwick couldnotfind out about her.
Slowly, I lowered my hand and discreetly moved it behind my cloak. I needed to withdraw my diamond dagger from the folds of my cloak, which was quite difficult to do without Warwick noticing. My sheath was strapped to my thigh—I had to grab the blade from behind so he wouldn’t notice.
Warwick’s eyes sharpened, his gaze following the movement of my hand.
I lifted the rose jewel to distract him. “Why do you want this? How did you even know about it?”
He smirked. “There isso muchI know, tiny human. It would rattle your fragile little mind.”
I lifted my chin. “Try me.” I needed to buy more time. My fingers parted the fabric of my cloak and reached my trousers.
“While I would love to stick around and chat about my vast amount of knowledge, I’m afraid I’ll need to take that jewel from you before the enchantments of this wood start attacking me.”
My heart jolted at that. Did he not know that holding the jewel was how I had silenced the ringing?
And was the enchantment only silenced whenIheld the jewel? If Warwick held it, would it do the same thing?
Or was it because of my fae magic?
Either way, it was an advantage I could use. Clearly, Warwick didn’t know as much as he claimed.
“I’m not just going to hand this over to you,” I said. My forefinger brushed against the strap holding Wraith Killer. But I was already stretching as far as I could go without twisting. If I moved too much, Warwick would notice.
“You will if you know what’s good for you.” Warwick drew closer. “If I can kill Varius’s pitiful assassin in a manner of minutes, just imagine how quickly I can dispose ofyou.”
Fear chilled me to the bone, but I was determined not toshow it. “How are you connected to the Earthen Court?” I asked, my voice rising. Even knowing he wouldn’t tell me, I still had to ask.
Warwick froze, his eyes flaring wide for a moment before that smirk returned. “You’re cleverer than you look, human. I’ll give you that.”
“You’refae,” I said. I stepped back again and pretended to trip over a root. My body twisted, as if to move out of the way, and I wrapped my fingers around the dagger’s hilt as I staggered backward.
“Another astute observation,” he mocked. “You’d be surprised what fae can do with a little glamour. In fact, you’d be shocked to discoverjust how manymembers of your so-called human court are actually fae in disguise.”
My blood chilled as his gaze swept over me, cold and calculating.
Shit. Did he know I was fae? He had to, if he ascertained that I was the one who had silenced the enchanted ringing.
But… how many others in the Earthen Court were actually fae but masquerading as humans?
Warwick chuckled at the look of horror on my face. “Ah, did I break the little human’s brain? You aresofragile.”
No, he couldn’t possibly know I was fae. He kept calling mehuman.
Swallowing around the lump of terror in my throat, I said, “What do you want with me? I’m no threat to you.” My hand scrambled to pull the dagger from its sheath.
