Page 160 of The Powers of Nyx

“You will not be returning to the Academy until after the ball,” Hyperion stated, finally releasing the beam and stepping back. He clasped his hand before him, ever the sight of perfect royalty, with his silver robes and slicked-back hair. It disgusted me how he could appear so serene and immaculate when beneath the facade, he was a beast, rabid and loyal to a creature who knew no loyalty to others. “You have a task to complete before the celebrations.”

My stomach sank. “And what kind of task will you have me do, Father?”

The bastard quirked a thin brow, though he moved to the door silently before pausing. “You and Kamaria will help with the final preparations.”

I frowned, ignoring the fiery pain radiating through my body as I slid out of bed. “Preparations for what?”

“Hehas decided that the time has come to take the crown. Greer is weak, and so is that Daughter of Nyx she has been protecting. Now is the time to strike,” he said. “Fifteen minutes, Orion. Or this time you will not be unconscious for your punishment.”

With that, he closed the door, trapping me in the gilded cage of my bedroom. Bile rose in my throat. I moved away from the bed and stumbled to the window. The powerful wards keeping me captive within tingled across my skin as I threw open the curtains. Darkness fell over the island, with only the stars to guide the way to the palace.

I stared at the spires reaching for the heavens and prayed to the Goddess my mate was safe. I didn’t dare attempt to reach her through our bond, letting the dark chord connecting us rest.

I knew only for certain that if what Hyperion said was true, then there was no time left.

And I would finally return to her, a failure.

~

The streets ofEndorawere quiet. The usually bustling hub of parties, events, and shows was eerily deserted. As we passed the building where the sector’s namesake originated, an exclusive theatre visited by only the most prominent of Nyx’s creatures, I thought back to the night I’d been forced to attend. The moody atmosphere. The shadows. And my mate on the arm of another male, waltzing her through the dark halls wearing that tight, green dress. The entire night, I’d prayed to Nyx for one more look at Ivy. Hell, I would have taken a whiff of her natural scent, simply to ease the primal beast wanting to reclaim her.

It was perhaps for the best I never saw her again. That my only chance to look upon her had been brief. I’d been surroundedby far too many of Hyperion’s fellow traitors, so seeking Ivy out would have been dangerous.

I turned away from the building and followed behind Kamaria. The three other Luna Fae were just as silent as the city. Myhandlerhad yet to reveal where we were going. The known enemies of theFalse King were scattered around Avalon, but none in the direction we were headed. None of his known players, either.

And if my thoughts were right thathewould strike at the ball, then why were we walking in the opposite direction of the palace?

My mind raced as we stopped outside a building. It appeared to be a nondescript set of apartments. Five storeys’ high with vines creeping up the red-brick facade.

Frowning, I pushed my way to Kamaria. “What are we doing here?” I asked quietly, glancing warily up at the darkened structure.

“Our target lives within,” she replied coldly. “It should be a simple mission.”

I wanted to ask who, but I held my tongue. I knew better. I wouldn’t risk the punishment, not when Ivy needed me at full strength.

Kamaria took my silence with a smile and started for the side entrance. And like the good son I pretended to be, I followed. As we climbed the stairs, I wondered what it would be like to kill her now—kill all of them, actually. Leave them where their bodies fell and let Hyperion and his False King know that they had not made a traitor of me yet.

But I held back. I tucked the rage away and trailed her as we stalked to the third floor. Like shadows, we moved silently until we reached a door at the end of the hall. Nothing about it indicated who—or what—our target was. I knew only they had to be a lower creature, perhaps a civilian. Maybe an agent.

Kamaria spared me a look, one that read danger for me if I opened my mouth. Gritting my teeth, I bowed my head and waited as she lifted her hand to knock.

Knock?My brows furrowed. The door opened, and a male appeared. He wore gear and had black hair that fell over his forehead. Shining eyes roamed over our little party, the colour bleeding red.

Vampire. And unfortunately, a familiar one. A face I had seen near Ivy once, after her arrival in Avalon. A face I recognised as an agent of Phoenix.

Rather than react, he smiled and opened the door wide. “I have everything you asked for,” he said, smiling darkly as Kamaria slid past him into the apartment.

As I moved, the vampire stuck out his hand. “We haven’t been formally introduced,” he started. “I’m Lark Zephyr. Most call me Zeph. I look forward to working with you.”

My gut twisted. I ignored his outstretched hand and entered the apartment, heart racing. He was a member of Hawk Nash’s team, responsible for getting Ivy to Avalon.

They know, I thought, eyeing the apartment. They knew Ivy’s identity.

I was already out of time.

58

HAWK

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