Page 58 of Foretold

Looks like someone betrayed us.

And going by the thundering expression on Rave’s face, I feel sorry for whoever it is.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Astrid

A meeting is called, and not one with the whole council. This meeting has the people Rave trusts with his life. Joining us in a circle in the throne room is Soren, Sinda, Cove, Nico, Elios, and Drake.

“If we agree to align with him, we’re putting a lot of trust in his words,” Nico comments, frowning at the Vampire Prince. His brown tunic is open in the front, exposing more chest than usual. He crosses his arms over his chest and turns to his king. “And how do we know the information he gives us is correct?”

“We could bring Vera in,” Rave comments, eyes narrowing slightly. “She can tell us if his words are true.”

Drake stands up straighter, squaring his shoulders. “Yeah, there might be a problem with that, considering she’s the one who let them in. But if you know another truth-sayer, I will happily prove myself.”

The room goes so still and quiet you could hear a pin drop, but the atmosphere gets so thick I feel like I will suffocate. It’s like the power seeping off Rave consumes all the air in the room.

“What did you just say?” The words are calm and controlled, but the surge of shadows that begin to fill the room lets us all know just how angry he truly is. No, this is more than anger. I can’t imagine how hurt, angry, and betrayed he must feel.

Vera, the mother of his child, let the vampires in.

She is the reason Rave lost his father.

Drake turns to me. “I will tell you the truth, even if you don’t take my deal, because I owe you a debt for saving my mate. After this, consider us even, Queen Astrid.”

“You never owed me anything, but I appreciate that,” I reply,gesturing for him to continue.

“It was her,” Drake nods, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, but I saw her meeting with my father with my own eyes. She broke the wards and opened the gate for the vampires to enter.”

The room darkens around us. Through the bond, I feel snippets of what Rave is experiencing, and it hurts.

It fucking hurts.

The betrayal cuts him like a knife to the gut.

I’m going to kill that bitch.

“How could she break the wards?” I ask in a soft voice, swallowing hard.

“She was there when we set them… she knows…” Rave trails off. “Fuck! I knew I couldn’t trust her, but I didn’t think she’d do anything like this! Not with Vale…”

His magic seethes from him, and everyone takes a few steps back while I touch his shoulder. There’s nothing I can say that will help, but I let him know I’m here for him. I send my love through the bond, and he takes a long, deep breath.

“Soren, go! Bring her to me. Make sure Vale doesn’t see,” Rave commands, and Soren nods once and zips into thin air. He turns to Drake. “We accept your deal. But if you and your mother betray us, we will hunt you all down and kill you both.”

Shadows peek out and stroke Drake’s face in such a way it makes him flinch.

“Do you understand?” Rave questions, his irises bleeding pitch black. His fingers twitch like he wants to beat the shit out of something.

Drake swallows hard and nods. “I do.”

“And what do you know of this Rion? Is he working with your father?” I ask, wondering where Rion and his band of mercenaries fit in.

Drake’s eyes widen in surprise. “As far as I know, he is doingmy father’s dirty work for now, but not out of loyalty. The Vampire King has something he desperately wants.”

I see. “So he asked him to kidnap me?”

“A queen for a queen,” he murmurs, running his hand through his hair. “He thinks King Tane was keeping my mother hostage.”

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