Page 90 of Hallowed Games

“I never told her the kind of wood.” Maelor’s darkened gaze slid to me, his expression icy.

I inhaled sharply. “You told me that Sion was deeply committed to the Order. That I should never tell anyone what we were doing—”

“I said that he’s unyieldingly committed to his cause, and he’ll kill anyone who gets in his way,” Maelor said, finishing my thought.

I stared at him as the pieces slid together in my mind. “His cause being…the resistance.” My gaze flicked to Sion. “Bollocks. Is there anyone else I need to know about?”

Sion cocked his head. “Will you stake them, too?”

“I staked you because I didn’t know you were in the resistance,” I shot back.

“Do you have any idea how long it took us to build up the Pater’s trust?” asked Sion in a low hiss. “To get into this position?”

Regret coiled through me. “You lot have a very different opinion than I about whether we should be trying to save the rest of the Penitents or letting them burn to death. But your secret is out now. You might as well help us because you need to get out as badly as we do.”

Two furious vampires stared back at me, and the air grew cold.

Maelor stalked farther into the temple. “None of that matters right now. There are Luminari on high alert. They found the dead soldiers, the empty prisoner rooms. When the Pater returns, he’s going to lead them right here.”

Sion glared at me. “What’s your plan?” Mockery sang in his deep voice. “This wonderful plan where everyone gets saved?”

I swallowed hard. “If we’re going to survive, we need to work together. With everyone. Allies are an asset, not a liability.”

“So we can’t eat our new friends, is that what you’re saying?” murmured Sion. “I’m always on my best behavior, of course, but as for Maelor here…I’m afraid you’ve unleashed something of a monster.”

Maelor’s jaw clenched. “I will be fine. I’ve already gorged on Luminari.”

Sion flashed him a half-smile. “Ah, there’s the old Maelor I loved. Because I need you to actually be strong after the chaos your woman unleashed tonight.” Sion’s amber eyes flicked to me. There was something predatory and catlike about them. “And you, Mistress of Death, might need to be strong, too. If you want to get out of here alive, you need to stop being so terrified of your own power. Give in to the thrill of what you truly love and stop lying to yourself. You’re a monster. Maybe it’s not a bad thing.”

Goosebumps rose on my skin, and I tightened my jaw.

For Leo, I’d do anything. I’d even work with the man who murdered my father. “Let’s go.”

CHAPTER 40

The sword hung at my waist, and I touched Maelor’s back as we walked through the musty tunnel. Distant torches lit up the passage, but the light in here was dim, and my eyes still hadn’t adjusted. From the temple, Maelor and Sion had led me down an old stone stairwell. The wide, torchlit dome of the temple had transitioned into a dark so heavy I might as well be an eyeless torchbearer.

Down here, it smelled of soil and decay.

My mind slid back, turning over what Sion had told me. I didn’t want to believe that my father had been an informer…

And why would I believe Sion?

My stomach twisted. It was just that someone had informed on Leo’s parents, and Sion seemed to know a lot about that. What if it explained Father’s absolute determination to take care of a little boy who wasn’t related to us? Was it guilt that had made Father so protective over Leo?

I swallowed hard. Whatever had happened, I was more determined than ever to get back to him. I had to make sure the Pater got nowhere near him. And yes, I had to get him away from his wretched plague-sore of an uncle.

A sharp coil of metallic fear twined through me. The moment we got out of here—if we got out of here—I wanted to be on a horse, charging for Eboria. Running straight for him.

“You locked me in your room,” said Maelor darkly.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “The Pater told me that he was going to burn Leo at dawn. For all I knew, the Pater actually had him here.”

“Do I really have to listen to a lovers’ quarrel?” asked Sion. “If I knew this was how my night was going to end, I’d have left the stake in my heart.”

I clenched my jaw. “Let’s focus on getting everyone out—”

I bumped into Maelor’s back—at least, I think it was Maelor? In any case, it felt like running into a brick wall.

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