Page 3 of Unseen Lord

"Why would I ever believe a word you say?" I ask. "You wanted to kill me. You've kidnapped me. Chained me. Done the same to your own mother. And I don't believe for a second that you're telling the truth about Elias." Though damn, I want to. I really, really want to. My heart constricts at the very thought the prince might still be alive, but it’s only wishful thinking. The fanciful thoughts of a desperate woman clinging to lies.

"What if I can prove it?’ he asks. “Will you help me then?"

I pause. If Elias is alive, that does change things. But not everything. "There's still a lot of bad blood between us, dude. Almost killing your brother isn't something to brag about. And the rest of the list is pretty damning."

He sighs and stands, pacing the cave. "Will you at least hear me out? Listen with an open mind?"

I grit my teeth, angry at my weakness, but finally I nod. "Prove he lives and I'll listen, but you're unlikely to change my mind about anything."

"You're the Unseen Lord," he says.

"Yeah, I got that." I roll my eyes, hoping he can see through the shadows.

"Then perhaps you have heard of the magical chords that connect all those who know the truth about the first vampire. About you."

I nod. "Right. Lix Tetrax. So?"

"So Elias is part of those chords. Part of an intricate pattern of energy spreading throughout all the nine worlds. And you are at the very center, my dear hunter. If you focus, you can ride those chords and connect to him. You above all will have more power to make those connections than even the most skilled of the Unfettered or Lix Tetrax, because the magic began with you. Youarethe chords"

My eyes widen and I sit back, leaning against hard stone as the full impact of what he's said hits me. "So I can connect to anyone who's part of this magical bond?"

"Yes," he says. "Though it has limits. It's not a location beacon. They won't know where you are, and you won't know where they are, not specifically."

Damn. He read my mind. I guess my easy rescue plan is out. Ah well. This is still useful. I will find a way to make it even more useful with time. But first, I need to see if he's telling the truth. I need to find Elias. Assuming this asshole isn't just feeding me a pack of lies.

The Rider turns from me. "I'll come back later, when you're ready to hear my side of the story."

Once he's gone, I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

This is utter shit. He's trying to trick me, and I will not allow myself to be made a tool by this… well, tool.

I know what you're thinking. I should definitely not trust the bad guy right? I mean, he's the villain. He's a liar just based on archetypes alone.

Believe me. I've already considered every way in which this situation could go sideways. Every way it could lead to the ultimate doom for everyone. When you're rotting in a dungeon, those thoughts are easy to come by.

But as my new cellmate would say, if she were, you know, conscious.Dum spiro spero.That's old white dude speak for, 'while I breathe, I hope.' Last I checked, I'm still breathing. And so is the queen, I'm pretty sure. So you know what that means, little birds? I'm still hoping.

In fact, remind me to have that phrase tattooed to my backside when this is done. So when I tell Arias he can kiss my ass, it's not only a solid burn, but also inspirational.

And so, with that hope, I figure there's nothing to be lost by trying what he suggests.

I mean, sure, maybe it's some trap to capture my soul for all eternity, but that seems a little far-fetched and also, why? He's already caught me. It does make me wonder why he needs me to agree to help him. He didn't seem to have that problem before. What changed?

Well, other than me actually being the Unseen Lord and not just someone standing in the way of him getting to the big UL.

I'm probably not what he was expecting. I'm not whatIwas expecting, for that matter.

Okay, enough internal chit chat. If Elias is alive, I need to find him. Stat.

Without knowing what the hell I'm even doing, I close eyes and position my legs and arms into the best lotus position I can given the chains restricting my movement.Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. I am one with the universe and the universe is one with me. Ommmmm…..

Yeah, this shit isn't working.

I was not designed for meditation. I'm more a doer than a… than a non-doer. I guess? I don't know. I just need an ass to kick or something.

But I shake out my arms and try again.

I'm not thinking of the way my feet are going numb in this position.

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