Page 37 of The Court of Truth

“Deserted?” I ask in confusion, and the disappointment on his face answers my question before he does.

“They believed in The Council, and now it seems they believe in her.”

“Probably because my father knew what to say,” Brody interjects, still standing by the bathroom as Raiden nods.

“Likely. Beau is gathering those that remain to see what we’re working with,” Raiden adds, but there’s a glint in his eyes that tells me he’s not done.

“What is it?” I push, bracing for impact as he wipes a hand down his face in dismay.

“They have control of the frenzied vampires.”

“Anything else?” I ask, half afraid of the answer, and he shakes his head. Thank fuck for that because I really can’t see what else could make this entire thing worse right now.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

My face falls into my hands as I think, or try to, but a sinking feeling weighs heavy on my body, replacing the exhaustion that claimed me moments ago.

“How the fuck do we combat this?”

“You already know the answer to that,” Brody states, finally moving toward us, and I frown at him, waiting for further words to accompany his statement. He gives me a pointed look like I’m the one playing dumb, but my brain is too tired to focus. “We fight, Dagger. We always fight. The players on the board are forever changing, but at the core of it all, we remain the same: strong, loyal, and determined. She can build her own army, she can do whatever the fuck she wants, but she’s not ready for us. None of them are,” he insists, and Raiden nods in agreement, turning back to me with a steely resilience burning in his orbs.

“Gather everyone for a meeting. Tell them it’s urgent, and together, we’ll devise a plan.”

“I want to burn her alive. I wish I already had,” I snarl, frustration tightening my muscles as my hands ball into fists.

“You can do whatever you want to her. We just need to act with precision. The fight isn’t over yet, Adrianna. It’s barely just begun.”

21

KRYLL

My boots echo along the hallway with every step I take. Trudging through the castle almost feels like I’m trespassing. It’s nothing like my castle back home. It’s all gothic and looming, like the promise of a painful death if you cross an invisible line, but there’s something about it that draws me in.

I know exactly what it is.

It’s her.

It will always be her.

I may have started this adventure with my brothers before I even knew she existed, but I know why I remain now. As a shifter, I’m supposed to be a lone ranger, but she makes me defy everything I’m supposed to be. She changes my priorities.

Marching into the kitchen, I startle when I find it empty. When Raiden reached out, he made it abundantly clear that it was urgent, no questions asked, and definitely no reasons as to why we had to hurry back. So here I am, but I’m alone.

“Where the fuck?” I murmur under my breath, straining to see if I can hear anything when footsteps approach. Whirling in their direction, I find a short woman with a white apron fastened on top of her clothes. She offers me a warm smile.

“I’m assuming you’re here for the meeting?” she asks, and I nod. “You’ll find them down the hall in the royal council chambers. I’ve already sent down a few light breakfast snacks for everyone, but if there’s something else you need…” Her words trail off as she waits for my response, but I shake my head.

“No, thank you. I just wasn’t aware there were royal council chambers,” I mumble, and she chuckles.

“If you find a map for this place, can you let me have a copy, too?” she jokes, pointing behind me. “It’s the second door to your left. The cinnamon rolls are excellent. Just so you know,” she adds with a wink, and I nod again before following her direction.

Making my way down the hallway, I strain my ears, but my shifter senses still can’t pick up on any sound, which is strange. As I approach the door she mentioned, I notice it’s slightly ajar, and when I nudge it open with the tip of my finger, I’m startled by the vision that greets me.

The room is full. Everyone is gathered, their mouths are moving, but I can’t hear a sound. Not one.

Brody spots me first, waving me into the room, and the moment I step over the threshold, I’m overwhelmed by the noise that comes with it.

“Kryll, I’m so glad you’re here. Please tell me you’ve slept at least,” Addi hollers, darting around the giant table that fills the space to greet me.

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