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With a fit of sudden disgust, she tossed the shards to the floor. One of his lordship’s servants could sweep up the mess, blood and all. She wasn’t going to be Farras’s arm candy or his chambermaid. More to the point, she wasn’t about to hand her future to someone selfish enough to take it.

If she didn’t have a choice, she’d make one.

CHAPTER 18

Lila left the guest chambers and slipped through the halls of the way station, not entirely sure where she wanted to go. The temptation to simply leave the way station was strong, but that would leave too much unresolved. Plus, she suspected she’d end up like Sala, with unwelcome visitors on her doorstep. Breaking free of this drama required more than a hasty exit.

She didn’t have much time. Sunlight pooled on the polished wood floors, indicating the morning was well advanced. A few more servants in gray livery passed by, no doubt preparing for the lord’s entourage. She hoped they’d brought plenty of supplies. Way stations were capable of adding rooms and even entire wings as needed without changing the boundaries of its footprint. Even so, if her mother’s estimate of 200 guests was correct, their store cupboards would be stretched to the limit.

She passed another group of servants, these carrying travel bags. It would take time to get everyone settled, and she was certain Lord Farras would not arrive until the initial chaos was over.

That still didn’t give her a clear idea of timelines. The most sophisticated travel magic could bend time and space to cut distances, creating roads that existed beyond the normal realm. Likewise, the king’s private domain—Gilden Wood—was in a fold of reality only fae could enter. The gateway and the path that led to it were carefully hidden from mortal eyes.

Lord Farras was capable of treading at least some of those secret byways, which meant he could arrive at any point. Lila might only have a few hours to decide how to deal with his presence and her family’s expectations.

She’d barely finished that thought when she heard Ademar’s angry voice coming from the second-floor sitting room where she’d played question and answer with their mother. Curious, Lila turned in that direction.

“I don’t care,” Ademar was saying. “The rewards of this game are high, but the stakes are too great. There is only so much damage this family can endure.”

“There is greater risk in sitting idle,” her mother replied. “You know that as well as I do.”

The door to the sitting room banged shut, cutting off sound. With a glance over her shoulder to ensure there were no onlookers, Lila drew closer to the room. She loathed the idea of eavesdropping, and yet something told her this was a conversation she couldn’t afford to ignore. She pressed her ear to the smooth wood of the door.

“Sala’s been threatened. I’ve been injured. Where does this end?” Ademar asked, his voice hard. “I just had a conversation with Lila that gives me no comfort. I revile myself for taking part in it.”

Lila inhaled sharply. Was that what had brought him here? A troubled conscience? Her stomach twisted, regret mixing with bitter anger. If only he’d shared his thoughts instead of bullying her, but he’d never been one to make his own decisions.

A long pause followed before her mother spoke. “You only did what I asked. We can’t afford to lose courage now. There is something afoot in this place.”

Ademar gave a short laugh. “You keep saying that, and still I’ve seen nothing.”

“You arrived here too late for that. So did I.” Galeeta’s voice faded, as if she were pacing farther away. “We did not witness any crime, though I know one occurred, and more are coming.”

“Based on what?”

“We are not like humans. They need evidence typed on a form. We can read the signs.”

“Like what?” Ademar demanded, impatience sharp in his tone.

“Unexplained graves,” Galeeta replied, “trespassing Undead, and rumors that the Magician has passed this way. What more is required to rouse your curiosity?”

“What more indeed, before we find ourselves in an unmarked grave? I can’t afford to indulge in speculation. I’m less concerned with imaginary crimes than offending a powerful lord who will be here by sunset.”

“And why would he be offended?” her mother’s voice sharpened. “We are doing what he asks.”

“You’re planning to lure him into a trap.”

“It’s necessary.” Her mother heaved an explosive sigh. “I will surrender my own life before I give up my family’s safety.”

Ademar’s voice rose. “But that’s exactly what you risk. We are already half our number.”

“I don’t have a choice. We’ve lost too much to walk away. With the right throw of the dice, we could be whole again.”

“Lila and I are not your game pieces. We did not consent to be used as bait.”

The uneven sound of Ademar’s footsteps and cane approached the door. Lila shrank away, her cheeks heating with embarrassment. She didn’t want to be caught listening at the keyhole, but she refused to run like a guilty schoolgirl.

The heavy door flung open, crashing into the wall. Lila jumped at the noise, falling back another step as Ademar swept past as fast as his injury would allow. Anything she might have said shriveled at his stormy expression.

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