Page 84 of The Court of Truth

Thick, palpable, weighted.

“Or that’s what I’m supposed to believe, isn’t it? Tell me why that’s what I should believe?” I insist, watching his brows pucker in confusion.

“I don’t know what you’re talking?—”

“Quit the bullshit, Father. Make it your last dying breath. Why does the magic linked to the frenzied vampires lead back to me.” My words are venomous, my tone heavy as I bite back a snarl.

I’m certain he’s going to continue with the same denial, but to my surprise, he heaves a sigh, taking a step back as he looks out the window. “It was your mother’s idea.”

“To link them to me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

He shrugs. “Because she knew you would likely be against it. So she wanted something to be able to control you with.”

“She wanted something to hold over my head if I didn’t fall in line,” I reiterate, and he nods.

“That’s about right.”

A huff rips from my chest, parting my lips as I stare at the man before me.Reallystare at him. “But you didn’t like that idea, did you, Father?” I can see it on his face. I don’t need him to confirm or deny. It’s in the crinkle of his eyes, the vein protruding at his temple, and the tightness of his jaw. “It wasn’t to protect me though, was it? It’s because you couldn’t give up the control.” He watches me, his pulse rippling at his neck as I assess him. He doesn’t deny it. He doesn’t say a single word. Instead, he watches, observes. “So maybe the question shouldn’t be why is my blood linked to the frenzied vampires, and more along the lines of, why isyourblood spelled to replicate my own?”

His lips part an inch, his eyes widening just a fraction, and I know I’m right. Brody promised me, but I wasn’t entirely sure. I had to see it for myself.

“It may have been easy enough to trick Mother into believing it was my blood, but I have powerful friends who are able to see through the façade you’ve created. It’s a good thing we realized just in time, though. Otherwise I would have given my own life to watch the fall of the frenzied vampires, and it would have all been for nothing.”

“Life?” My father breathes, a scoff tainting his lips. “Do you truly believe you can take my life to save the kingdom from the wrath of the frenzied vampires?”

“That’s why I’m here,” I admit, tucking my free hand into my pants pocket as I swirl the glass in my other hand.

“Do you truly believe you can kill me? Your own father? Talk me through it. What do you think you’re going to do? Don’t be foolish, boy. I’ve outlived your mother, I’ve outlived Councilman Drummer and his ridiculous brother. That wasn’t all in vain. I won’t die here tonight. But please, excuse my rambling, and tell me what your plan was to take me down.”

“I don’t think I’mgoingto do anything. I already have. You’re too predictable,” I admit, holding up the glass between us. “After a night at the whorehouse, my father stumbles on home, heads straight for his office, where the fire is already burning, and fumbles through his liquor cabinet to make the pain go away. Sound accurate?”

His eyes widen, the empty glass in his hand tumbling to the floor, shattering into a million pieces as his hand shifts from his chest to his throat. “The bourbon.”

“The bourbon, the whisky, the vodka. All of it. I had to be sure. You see, the concoction my friend offered worked with any liquid except water, and let’s be honest, I don’t think you’ve ever drank anything so mild. So I was safe.”

His legs give out beneath him and his knees slam into the floor. Placing the glass back on the side table, I crouch before him. “Ah, this is the moment I’ve been waiting for,” I state, plastering a sincere smile across my face. “I would love to say your presence will be sorely missed throughout the kingdom, but quite frankly, no one’s going to give a shit. They’re never going to know you controlled the monsters roaming the streets. They’ll just know they’re gone. Your legacy, or whatever it is you were chasing, means nothing. I’ll make sure of it.”

He topples sideways, body rigid as his mouth moves, but no words come out. He’s still there. Just a little. Just for a moment longer, and I lean in, making sure I’m the very last thing he ever sees.

“Goodbye, Father. May you never rest in peace.”

47

ADRIANNA

My fingers tap on the table, my mind swirling with ideas, but I can’t pinpoint a single one. Hunched over the worn wood, I know the answer is there, it’s just out of reach. I can practically feel it on the tip of my tongue, I just can’t seem to capture it.

“You look deep in thought, Princess.” Kryll’s voice catches me off guard, pulling me from my thoughts as I smile at him.

He leans against the door frame, his tattooed arms folded over his chest as he stares at me. “I don’t think I’m the only one,” I admit, and he grins.

“I’m sure we’re deep in thought about entirely different matters,” he states cryptically as he pushes off the frame, kicking the door closed behind him as he slowly approaches. “I’m guessing you haven’t heard anything from Raiden yet?”

I shake my head. “Nothing,” I grumble.

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