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Logan still seethed. We could all feel his quiet rage. “Okay, when do we leave?”
“After dinner,” Samkiel said.
We all looked at each other.
“Dinner?” Vincent asked, almost hesitantly.
“Yes,” he said. “It was actually Dianna’s idea, but I wish a peaceful evening for us all after everything. Something fun, something other than research and work for days on end. I think we could all use some downtime before we tackle this most recent problem.”
My lips twisted. Fun. I smiled at Neverra, who was already looking at me. It had been so long since we’d all gotten together and done something really fun.
“I’ll pass,” Vincent said, going back to his book.
I felt the growing bubble of excitement in the room pop. My gift from Athos was often a curse. Cameron received the hunter’s drive, that extra enhanced sense of smell and ability to track that made even gods envious. But me? I got pure empathy. If someone’s aura changed, I felt it. I could feel emotions on some basic level, which made me great in council meetings and negotiations. Liars? I could sense every false truth they spat.
Right now, Samkiel’s basic chemistry seemed to be altering. Not unpleasantly, but something waiting patiently to be known, something powerful and life-altering. Then the pieces clicked. My breath caught, and a smile spread so far across my face it pinched my cheeks. Finally, I thought.
My joy was short-lived as Samkiel turned toward Vincent, focusing wholly on him.
“I apologize if that came out incorrectly, but it was not a request,” Samkiel said. Logan sat up a bit straighter, getting ready to do what he often did and act as a barrier between them.
I knew what was coming. There has been so much tension between them lately. Everyone could feel it.
“As I said, I’ll pass. I don’t want to fight, but let’s not pretend that we’re not just ignoring the fact that Dianna’s a mass murderer and almost destroyed the world. I’d rather pack and get to Onuna early.”
Samkiel sighed and placed his hands on his hips. “Vincent.”
Vincent shook his head and glanced around the room at all of us. “You guys can pretend all you want, but I refuse to.”
Even Xavier’s ordinarily calm demeanor slipped. “Dude.”
Vincent slammed his book closed. “What? Why am I the bad guy when I am the only one thinking rationally? This isn’t some random person Samkiel decided he enjoyed for the time being. She’s a fucking Queen of Yejedin. We know Kaden is a general now, your father’s, from what the giant said, and that he’s strong enough to make something like her. So no, I don’t care about stupid dinner parties, and you all shouldn’t either.” Vincent got to his feet, glaring at Samkiel. “You know, I bet she even has her powers. I used to respect you. But now she has you wrapped around her fucking finger like a whipped dog, doing whatever she wishes, using our resources to chase after her, and for what? Pussy? Your father would be ashamed.”
Lightning split the air, the flash of light so bright it was blinding. When I could see again, Samkiel had Vincent pinned. The table beneath him cracked in half. Lightning sizzled at the edges of the room, Samkiel’s face mere inches from Vincent’s.
“The next words from your mouth need to be an apology,” Samkiel growled, menace dripping from each word.
Vincent didn’t back down, holding Samkiel’s gaze defiantly. “Or what? Listen, I get it. It was fun when we were all younger, but we aren’t anymore. She’s Kaden’s blood, no matter what you feel or how often you fuck her. Do you think pretty words will stop her the next time she gets volatile? She’s a ticking time bomb. I’m just the only one not blind to it. You’re our king, our protector, and you’re going to get us all killed. What happened on Rashearim is going to happen again, and all because of her.”
Samkiel’s fist connecting with Vincent’s face sent shockwaves through the room. Chairs toppled as Logan, and I jumped to our feet.
Samkiel released Vincent, realizing what he’d done. Logan was already at his side, pushing him back by his shoulder. I remembered the quick-tempered young king we all grew up with. His eyes burned silver as he shrugged Logan’s hand off and focused on Vincent as if he faced an enemy.
Vincent struggled to his feet, none of us moving to help him. Books and papers skittered to the floor.
“See what I mean?” he spat, wiping his hand across his split cheek. “You’re all idiots.”
He adjusted his council garbs and glared at Samkiel a moment longer. Then, without saying another word, he stormed off, yanking the doors almost off their hinges.
Samkiel wiped his hands over his face before lifting one and correcting the room. Neverra, Xavier, and Cameron picked up the scattered books and papers as Logan thumped Samkiel on the chest and said something too low for me to hear. Samkiel took a deep breath, and they walked to the balcony.
I glanced toward the others. “I’ll talk to Vincent.”
Not waiting for them to respond, I rushed out of the room, jogging to catch up to Vincent.
“Vincent.”
“You know she tried to kill you, and you’re just as bad as them. I heard about the beach, Immy!”
