Page 89 of A Crown Without Mercy

“No! Laurent!” She flung her arms out to her sides and a plume of black smoke billowed from her palms before morphing into a trove of bat-like creatures. Their high pitched screeches radiated through the air and echoed off the stone walls as they surrounded Riordan, Nicolai, and Kieran. Laurent dropped to his knees, covered his head, and cowered from the demonic creatures.

Mira stood in place and watched as the winged creatures were easily and swiftly struck down by the Acheron’s swords. They dropped from the air and landed on the stone floor all around her; after their twitching bodies became listless, they floated into the air like blackened embers.

Riordan looked at Mira. “Well, hell, that was unexpected.”

“The power of life,” Nicolai replied.

“Pretty fucking impressive,” Kieran added.

Riordan grabbed Laurent’s tunic and pulled him to his feet. “Stand, bairn.” He then looked at Mira. “Is this the extent of it?”

“Yes, Milord,” she answered.

“Is Mira an Ascelin?”Kieran questioned telepathically.

Riordan nodded and then looked at Laurent. “I was curious how far Mira would go to save your life. I assume you knew about this?”

Laurent straightened his back and stood firm. “Yes, Milord,” Laurent stated, not wanting to show any weakness.

Riordan lifted Mira’s chin with his fingers. “I will only ask once. Your family, are they purebred Ascelins?”

Mira looked at Riordan and his face blurred, as if he had stepped behind a thin veil of water, knowing she was about to betray her family in the worst possible way. “No, milord,” she whispered in a barely audible voice.

He raised an eyebrow and glanced at Nicolai and Kieran before looking at Mira again. “No?”

“No. Not my family, milord.”

“Explain, bairn. I will not hesitate to take Laurent’s head if need be,” Riordan threatened.

She glanced at Nicolai, who raised his sword, tapped it against his shoulder, and nodded toward Laurent.

“I can create life, but Sylvana is the only one whose blood is Ascelin,” she admitted.

“Is she a purebred?”

“Yes, milord.”

“How do you know this, for sure?”

“Sylvana’s mother is a direct descendant.”

“What do you mean,Sylvana’s mother?”

“Mine, Calista’s, and Alaric’s father took her mother as his mate a few years after ours passed. Sylvana is not his sired offspring.”

“Who is Sylvana’s father?”

“I don’t know?”

“You are awfully young to know of such things. How do we know you are not being deceitful?” Riordan asked.

“It is the truth. Mother told me.”

“Does Calista know?”

“Yes, milord.”

“Does Sylvana know?” Nicolai asked.

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