Page 108 of Fallen Heirs

Before I could respond with a biting response to take him down several pegs—where he belonged now after so many failings at our hands—I felt a careful push at my mind.

I allowed it and a mind-link opened, my father’s voice sounding through.

“Son, I’m here with Elliot. I’ve written the spell—impressive solution on your part. Performing it within moments. If you can stall safely for another five minutes, do so. However, if you’re under threat, leave immediately. Do not put your life in jeopardy.”

“Received. I can stall.”

“Be very careful. His speed is your weakness, but your ability to influence another’s actions is yours.”

“Understood.”

He closed the link, knowing I needed my wits about me.

I glared at Constantine. “So, did you really just call me here to issue threats? To, perhaps, convince yourself that such threats could still have an impact on those whom you levied them upon? Or is there actually a deal you wanted to discuss?”

“This militarized force you’ve created—Obsidian—as a means to provide the supernatural world with protection in a way thatExemplarhas failed to do, is a fine concept, an inspired creation. You’ve used it to takemyplace, to give them hope and safeguarding in a way that turns them away from my goal of taking power and ruling over them, promising them the same so long as they do my bidding and kneel to me. You’ve set it up as an alternative, which is working to effectively push me out. I applaud the underhanded and manipulative nature of it.” He stepped closer, just shy of breaching my personal space. “The issue is, that promise rests onyourshoulders, your leadership. It’s you they trust in. Your victory over the force I sent in against Electi Academy on the eve of Abigail’s death sparked that trust and hope for many—inyouspecifically.”

“You just love to hear yourself speak, don’t you?”

The more I engaged him and aggravated him, the more he’d go on and on just to piss me off. He’d already proven that so far. Which was exactly what was needed now to bide time until my father confirmed the spell had been completed and Elliot and Xavier were safe, at least for the time being, until we could get Alena directly involved. It was bad enough that my father had needed to be brought in. I just hoped it hadn’t impacted Alena’s training or the development of the failsafe. I didn’t want it dragging out any longer than was already necessary. It had already been days on end without having her with us, and it hadn’t been sitting well with me, or Talon and Xavier. We needed her with us.

He sneered again and told me, “My point, Dark Fae Prince, is that at this current sensitive and early stage of inception, what you’ve created rests upon a house of cards.”

“You’re wrong.”

“It’s actually worse than that. All that needs to happen is foryouto fall and it will all come crashing down. You’re the key element, the binding element. Without you, it doesn’t work. In time perhaps you’ll bring in another leader and they’ll prove themselves to the supernatural world in the way you already have from your efforts against me lately. But at this specific point in time, that isn’t the case.” A smug smile spread over his face. “You see, finally finding a way to get at Elliot and then using that to forceyourhand was killing two fools with one stone.”

Motherfuck.

“The third piece of the puzzle was completed when Lenora and I managed to break the blood vow I’d made with your father to ensure nothing I did or ordered would lead to your death.”

He stepped back and announced, “Now, I like you and respect you, so killing you won’t give me any personal satisfaction. And, truth be told, I enjoy sparring with you,playing these little games of ours. You’ve proven yourself a worthy opponent, and that’s not easy to come across. Very few can match my prowess, power-wise, or intellectually speaking. I’d rather keep you alive. As such, thereisa deal on the table. I’ll ensure all your loved ones and those you value are unharmed going forward, that you are all left alone and not impacted by me and my activities in any way whatsoever. In exchange, you will stop recruiting those I’ve already tapped as my new recruits, stop blacklisting me across the supernatural world and souring my reputation and name, and you won’t stand in my way when I take command ofExemplar. You, Elliot and I will designate territory for me to rule without any interference. No more bloodshed. No more infringement on you all living your lives. No more war. We will write up peace accords to this effect.”

Was he actually serious?

The level of delusion was unbelievable.

Then again, for someone who’d thought themselves a god, it fit.

“And if I don’t agree to consider this, or put it to Elliot?”

He lifted a shoulder, nonchalantly. “Then you die.”

“I see. It’s not a deal, but an ultimatum.”

“Label it what you like. Those are the terms.”

“Terms. Demands. It’s all the same to you, isn’t it?”

“I wouldn’t dismiss it out of hand. The terms are very favorable for you and yours.”

“And what about the territory that you wish to take? What about the supernatural beings who would be under your rule?”

“That won’t be your concern, will it?”

I felt that same gentle push at my mind from earlier and I allowed it, my father’s voice sounding in my head a moment later.

“Spell complete. Xavier is healing. Elliot is rousing awake.”

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