Page 47 of A Kingdom so Crimson

"Hi there, Eliah," Edmon greeted, tipping his head in acknowledgment.

I offered him a curt nod and forced a tight smile.

"We'll continue another time, and you will join us for dinner next week," Levon declared, directing his words toward Edmon.

Edmon chuckled and nodded. "I'd better be off then. It's good to see you, Eliah."

Levon extended his arm, signaling me to take it, and began leading me out of the market. As we passed by others, his stance was unwelcoming as he cautiously scanned the area.

"Levon, what's going on?" I demanded, clutching his arm tightly, anger rising within me. "Please, no more secrets," I spat out, unable to contain my frustration.

He scanned the surroundings as we finally reached the narrow path leading to his home. "Fine, if you must know, I got word that Edmon knows what might occur for the King's Match."

I abruptly stopped, my feet grinding against the pebbles underneath. "Truly?"

He nodded, his expression grave. "He's got reliable sources, and they all seem to agree. King Thealor's been hauling in crates and cages filled with food and…wild animals."

"Animals?" I repeated incredulously, my voice dripping with disbelief.

"Yes," he muttered, his voice tinged with regret.

My mind returned to the nerve-wracking evaluation I endured with those ferocious beasts. No, it couldn't be.

"Whendid you find out about this?" I demanded, my anger bubbling up fiercely.

My question stopped him in his tracks, and I could see the guilt flicker across his face. That's why he insisted on that evaluation with those creatures. Would he have still taken me if I hadn't passed? Would the creatures be like the Miehja? Or those beasts? I didn't realize I had been trembling until Levon grasped my hands in his.

"Eliah," he cursed, his voice urgent, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Eliah,don't be afraid."

"You knew from the start. You knew," I accused, my anger fueling every step as I marched forward, the crunch of the rocks drowning out the tumult of emotions raging within me. How? How could I have been so blind not to see it?

"Eliah, please," he implored, desperation seeping into his voice.

I heard the crunch of an extra pair of feet walking behind me, and my mind immediately flashed back to Kaizen's words:You shouldn't be left in the dark about anything.

I stopped abruptly, pivoting on my heels. I deserved to know—no more secrets.

"Who are the Spellcasters?" I demanded, my tone laced with anger and determination, thinking to ask about that book of monsters, but thought better of it. They were fables. They had to be.

Levon's eyes went rigid with fear, and he quickly glanced over to Kaizen, who appeared like a shadow and remained stone-faced as always. I squared my shoulders, placing a hand on my hip, refusing to back down. We still had an hour or two before dinner…I could wait.

The tension hung heavy in the air as the two men exchanged a silent conversation through their eyes, and Levon's complexion drained of color.

"Tell us what you know," Kaizen ordered, his voice cold and commanding.

After I shared my limited knowledge about the Spellcasters, Levon's expression morphed from bewilderment to fear and finally settled on anger. He grabbed Kaizen, demanding him away, and the two exchanged heated words, making the gravel pathway back to his estate feel even more ominous. My anger ignited, shaking me from the core and sizzling the air around me. I stepped towards them, intruding on their conversation, when Kaizen held up a hand, looking at me with an icy warningthat sent chills down my spine, even as my burning anger flared within.

"Breathe, Eliah," Kaizen's voice cut through the rage swirling inside me, placing his hand on my shoulder.

I heaved in through my nose, hating everything and hating the secrets. Hating these wretched men. Hating Jesri and especially hating Kaizen. I gritted my teeth, pushing my anger harder against the cold.

"Then tell me," I hissed out, venom lacing my tongue.

Kaizen's grip tightened on my shoulder, pulling me away from Levon, who was now wide-eyed and just as angry.

"Kaizen, no. We can't," Levon demanded, but Kaizen's hold on my arm grew more painful.

I thrashed against him, struggling to maintain my balance as he shoved me to the ground with a vicious, taunting grin. I hit the gravel with a huff, feeling its sting as it bit into my palms upon impact. My lips peeled back, exposing my teeth, while the flames of rage roared deep, boiling my blood with steam.

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