Page 244 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

At the same time, Corbin said tightly, “Lange, not now.”

A third voice rang out among the sudden chaos.

“What did you just say?” Razik asked.

Lange blinked, looking confused. “I’m…not sure.”

Eliza looked up at Razik, but he was already striding from the room. “Do what you want. I need to look into something.”

“Is that normal?” Tristyn asked Eliza.

“Unfortunately. It’s annoying,” she muttered. Turning to face Eviana fully, she gave her a small smile that Eviana did not return. “I think the choice should be yours.”

“I already said I would take the Mark,” Eviana replied curtly, wondering why they were having the same conversation over and over. This was like sitting in a room with the Lords and Ladies. They once debated what kind of bread to serve at the Selection Closing for three days. Someone just needed to make a decision so they could all move forward one way or another.

There was a burst of flames, Eliza pulling a scion from them, and Eviana’s brow arched. “You can bestow Marks? I thought you were a Fae, not a priestess.”

“It’s complicated,” she said, motioning for Tristyn to turn the screen back to her.

“They have to be drawn precisely,” he warned.

“I’m aware,” the female drawled, moving closer to her. “Where would you like it?

Unclasping her hands, she looked down. A Mark on the back of each. Three identifying Marks on her inner wrist. Maybe not somewhere quite so obvious though.

Unbuttoning the coat she still wore, she slipped it off, laying it carefully across a chair. Then she reached up and pulled aside the collar of her shirt, baring the back of her shoulder.

“Here,” she said.

“You are sure?” Eliza asked.

“I wouldn’t say it if I weren’t.”

Eliza nodded, not questioning her again before she got to work. It took only minutes, Eviana scarcely feeling the burn of the scion against her flesh as she focused on the bond, wondering if this would truly work.

Eve?

She sighed internally.My Lord?

What is happening?

I do not know what you mean.

You feel faint. Are they moving you again?

No, my Lord. I am in the same place as before.

Then what— happening— Eviana?

For the first time in a long time, she smiled.

Yes, my Lord?

What is… They doing… kill them… Now!

“Almost done,” Eliza murmured.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d truly smiled.

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