Page 49 of Devour the Dark

“Now everyone calm down,” Malachi says over Roc. “I have a proposition.”

“I’m not in the deal-making mood,” Roc answers.

Malachi shrugs. “I mean, you could kill me. But then you will never find the hat and really, what would be the point?”

Vane leans into Winnie and whispers, “Stay.” Then he pulls away and steps around his brother, facing Malachi. Some of the darkness abates, but tendrils of it paint the diffused light. “What’s the proposition?”

“Vane, you always were the logical one.” He looks between the brothers. “I’m sure it will come as no surprise to you to hear that the Darkland monarchy is in disarray. The only surviving member of the Remaldi family is Juliette and right now, the Privy Council is trying to sell her off. But her claim to the throne is thin at best. There always were rumors she was a bastard. Not your type of bastard, of course.” He winks at Roc. “As you can imagine, chaos is exactly what the Myth Makers feast on. They are in place to overthrow Darkland. I want to help you stop it.”

Vane tsks. “You expect us to believe that?”

“I will not be without my own reward.”

“Go on.”

“Lostland being lost, obviously that’s a lie. But it’s not entirely without truth. The longer we’re away from home, the fewer Myths on land, the harder it is to find it upon our return. If we spread ourselves too thin, it really will be lost. For good. They’ve become too fucking greedy, too sloppy. If you want to know my philosophy, I believe each island has a ruling class for a reason. Just like the Roman Empire in the mortal realm, the more you absorb, the more likely it is you will crumble.”

He takes a breath and looks at Roc. “There’s another Myth here named Amanon. One of the Seven. This Myth has a sister. I’m sure you’ve heard of her.”

“Mareth,” Roc guesses.

Malachi nods. “She knows you devoured her sister. She will come for you, here or Neverland or any of the other islands. So really, what choice do you have? It’s better to partner with me.”

Vane and Roc share a look. They say nothing to one another, but the silence stretches on, almost like their silence carries words.

Finally Vane says, “I assume you have a plan?”

“Of course.” Malachi smiles. “I’m not sure if you heard, but after your role in the death of the Remaldi family, the Privy Council decided to requisition Maddred Manor.”

Roc visibly tenses.

“They’re hosting a ball there tonight to announce Juliette’s engagement. It’s to be her summer residence. That place is fucking frigid. It’s the perfect place to escape the city's stinking heat. But I digress. The Myth will be there tonight. Kill her, and I’ll give you the hat.”

He extends his hand. “Do we have a deal?”

Regardless of whether or not Roc and Vane want to go through with this, I know they’ll shake on it. I think Roc holds pinkie promises in higher regard than handshakes.

Both brothers shake.

“I’ll see you tonight then,” Malachi says. “It’s black tie. Dress appropriately.”

He breezes past us, the warehouse door slamming shut in his wake.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

WENDY

Once Malachi is gone,Roc and Vane lead us to their loft with no discussion about the latest turn of events. Just a few blocks to the north of the warehouse, it doesn’t take us long to reach it. The stairway is tucked to the right of a tavern entrance, with a hat shop on the other side. Coincidence or not? I’m beginning to wonder about the hat connections to Roc and Vane’s family.

First, a magical hat that can remove Mareth’s soul, then a collection of hats so dangerous, we’re warned not to touch them?

I noticed Asha’s interest at the mention of the Variant Collection. She always knows more than most.

Roc flips a light switch and one by one, hanging globes ignite with gas, then light.

I look around.

This is the first real thing of Roc’s I’ve been immersed in. Being with him or around him, everything I encountered was limited or controlled.

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