Page 8 of Ruin
I swallowed hard. “Things you will not want to see.”
His gaze narrowed, his lips thinning into a hard line. “Exactly.”
I gulped. If he found out what they were doing to his people down there, it could evoke a war. Immortals against sorcerers, in time the fae would win, as my father was one man and could not take on their numbers.
The only reason sorcerers were the reigning leaders was our ability to organize ourselves. Regrettably, I’d believed the fae were lesser than us when I was a child, until I was old enough I could make up my own mind. I’d read enough books and had listened in on more than one conversation to know enough about politics. We were taking advantage of them and always would.
“Are you cold?” he questioned.
His voice pulled me from deep thought. I blinked twice. “You were wondering if I’m cold?”
He laughed, the most beautiful sound. “Why is that such a surprise? You’re shaking.”
“Oh.” I fumbled my fingers, then pressed my hands together. I was cold, but I couldn’t admit it without arousing suspicion. It was warm in the castle, but my master was sucking the life out of me, as punishment, until I delivered him a human soul. “I’m fine, but thank you. Sometimes I shake for no reason.” I guffawed, then fell silent. I had no decorum. “I apologize for my outburst. It’s not often people show me kindness.”
“It’s their loss.” He buried his hands into his deep pockets. He was dressed eccentrically, even for my taste, but then the fae always did wear things made from nature. His shirt looked as if it were woven from leaves, each of them shimmering with gold faery dust.
I could feel my cheeks burning with heat. I cursed internally at my body’s obvious reaction, praying he wouldn’t notice. A boy like him would be offended if his act of goodwill was taken the wrong way by someone like me.
“I don’t understand why you do.”
“Because you’re beautiful.”
I flinched. “Are you teasing me?”
“Why wouldn’t I show you kindness? Besides, I cannot lie.” He smirked. “Unless… Are you one of those criminals you talked of?”
I knew he was joking, but it held an uncomfortable truth. Had I not set out to murder another?
“Then you must be blind.” I sighed softly and turned on my heel. I wouldn’t be preyed on or humored.
“Wait!” he called, but I didn’t look back.
He was obviously searching for something and using me to get it. Everyone had motive, but I knew it better to not look back. As much as I wanted to believe it, I couldn’t help but see there was something innately good about him. For that reason alone, I needed to leave. I was where pretty things died. Speaking of beautiful things… I saw my sister turn a corner in the distance.
I hurried away down a desolated passage, my feet thumping against the ground as I did. Turning the corner, I ran cold. Blood dripped out of the cracks in the stone, trickling down into a pool on the floor. My hand shot up to cover my mouth.
“If you do not take a life, it will be your blood on the wall.”
I blinked, and the blood disappeared.
“You.”
I jolted on seeing her. She was one of my sisters’ ladies. I recognized her jewelry. Although, I had to wonder what she was doing in this part of the castle.
The lady’s voice was high-pitched and grating. “Wandering around alone?”
“I would ask who you are,” I said, clearing my throat, “but as you’re walking the back passages, you must be meeting a man. You’re one of the ones sent to seduce men to find out what they’re hiding for Zalia, aren’t you?” I accused her, knowing my sister’s reach throughout the castle and how she claimed so many secrets.
“What do you know of Zalia, and how does she know you?” Her viper-red eyes latched onto mine.
“I know lots of things. Now, get out of my way.”
“You must matter for some reason. Zalia sent me to look for a misplaced girl.” She twirled a lock of hair around her index finger. “A woman with a crown on her head and bitterness on her face.” She looked me up and down. “I see I have hit my mark.”
Unable to mask my scowl, I let out a long breath. “Zalia has always been resourceful, picking the saddest grapes in the bunch to do her bidding.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You seem to know her well.”
