Page 252 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

The bitter taste of panic rises into the air as the crowd finally grasps the precariousness of the situation we’re in.

“Hello, Uncle.” Rian rises to his full height, drawing the evil king's glare. “What a pleasant surprise.”

“Why are you in the company of half-breeds, nephew?” King Marek asks. “And why do you sail on a criminal’s ship?”

“The vessel we traveled on was rendered inoperable. My cadre and I commandeered this one to continue our journey.”

The king’s gaze is cold. Calculating. “And the half-breeds? How did they come to join your traveling party?”

“We picked them up in Virendrell.”

His nostrils flare again. “Why?”

“Jaxon and his sister have been in contact,” Rian says with a shrug. “She revealed a large population of wielders wished to be free of Augustus and Helen’s rule. So…we obliged.”

“Indeed?” Marek’s gaze slides to Jaxon, who still bows at his feet. “How…generous of you, nephew.”

Rian doesn’t respond.

Am I impressed or wary by how easily Rian lies to his uncle?

I don’t reach a decision before Marek’s eyes snap back to the prince. “And what is your plan with the half-breeds?”

“To bring them to Eranthia, of course.”

A ripple of unease travels through the crowd.

“Hm.” Marek’s hard eyes lock onto his heir. “Good. We could use more souls to replace the numbers we’ve lost.”

My throat tightens, and the possibilities of how they “lost” those souls threaten to unravel the precarious threads of self-control holding me together.

Rian dips his head. “My thoughts exactly.”

Marek’s gaze flicks back to the Virendrellians. “But to let them roam freely? Is it wise?”

“The shadows keep them in check.”

A smile ghosts the king’s mouth. “Bold of you.”

Shadows stir at Rian’s feet.

The king hums in apparent satisfaction.

His attention shifts, once more surveying the crowd of people he now plans to assimilate into his cursed kingdom.

Then his gaze lands on me, as sharp as a blade pressed between my ribs.

King Malek tilts his head like a predator. “And a human?”

My pulse detonates.

I don’t know how it's possible, but he says the word with even more disdain than he did half-breed.

“Yes.” Rian shifts his stance so he no longer stands between me and his uncle. “She is a healer. Hired to make Darius comfortable as we travel.”

The king’s eyes slide to Darius.

So do mine, and I fight to keep my jaw from falling open when I note Darius’s complexion has once more dulled to a sickly gray pallor.