Page 105 of Diamond Kisses

“Precisely.” He nodded. “I’ve had a contingency plan for utter annihilation ever since I built it. The moment I’m in the sky, all I have to do is press a little button andboom.”

“You know Rachel is still alive, right?” I sniffed, cursing the guns wedging into my temples. “She and your heir are still breathing. Are you really going to kill your own flesh and blood?”

“Yes.” He smirked. “Besides, that’s no heir of mine. I lost myself for a bit there. I blame you for that. You made me think Ineededsomeone. That I’d grown soft in my old age. But now?” He laughed like a madman. “Now, I honestly don’t know what I was thinking. I don’t need anyone. I never have. Never will. And the mere thought of raising the spawn of that jewel?” He shuddered dramatically. “Fuck, what adisgustingidea. I deserve a son born from a woman of lineage, not a worthless slave.”

I had so many things to say about who was disgusting in that scenario, but I held my tongue. Breathing hard, I shrugged. “So that’s it? You’re just going to tuck tail and run away?”

“I don’t think of it as running away.” He winced and rubbed his bleeding shoulder. “It’s merely time for a spring clean. What’s that saying? Out with the old and in with the new?” He leaned over me and grinned. “Next time, I’ll stock a few princesses and women with good genes. They’ll be my breeding stock. I will have my heir. And you…? Well, you…I think I’ll keep you around.” Tapping my cheek, he chuckled. “Tell me,mon ami, how does it feel to know Ilyana is dead?”

My heart fissured and flatlined.

I choked.

That strange ache from before.

That unexplainable rush of grief.

Mind-numbing terror followed by rip-roaring rage. “You’re lying.”

“Am I?” He touched his nose. “I see all things, after all.”

She’s not…she can’t be.

The fight had been winding down. Most of the Masters had scattered or were dead.

I wouldn’t have left her if there was a chance she’d be hurt.

Besides…I’d left her with Peter. He would do everything in his power to protect her.

He’d probably give his life for her.

She’s fine.

He’s just trying to get into my head.

But what if—

No.

Ignore him.

I wouldn’t let his mind games break me.

Not now.

Not when I was so close.

Rising higher on my knees, I snarled, “Iamgoing to kill you, Vic. You have my fucking word.”

His navy eyes flashed with the tiniest bit of fear before he covered it up with thick arrogance. “You’ve given it a good try, I will admit. But—”

“The castle has fallen,” I hissed over him. “The guards have all switched sides. Your guests are dead.”

Victor glanced at the four sniper guards currently keeping me on my knees. He swallowed hard.

And suddenly, I knew just how to play this.

Victor ruled with threats and pain.

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