Page 65 of Stars May Fall

I frowned. “By becoming just like them.” I threw up my hands. “We went to war years ago because of the awful haemalcomy practices they use on their people.”

Father shook his head sharply. “No. We went to war because they invaded us. Their haemalcomy practices made them feel restless and invincible because they are focused on war and destruction. Ours are focused on life. Ours will prevent and end wars.”

I gripped the back of the chair, and my voice dropped to barely a whisper. “What are you going to do?”

He straightened up. “I’m going to rid the palace of the traitors and those who will hold us back. Then we will release Lyrason’s creatures into Kollenstar.”

My throat dried, and I shook my head slowly, struggling to finally accept that Father was really going to commit all these crimes. The man I thought he was completely vanished before my eyes. “How…how will you keep them in Kollenstar? How will you stop the halfsouls from spreading back over our borders or invading Tyrazastan and Nibawae?”

Father nodded encouragingly as if my concern was a valid one. “Once we are harvesting vitality on a large scale, we can give soldiers on the border vitality stores they can draw life from. They will literally be sucking the life out of the halfsouls as they attack. The war has ensured our fortifications are strong and well maintained, the other bordering countries too.”

I still couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “But you’ll wipe out an entire nation of people.”

The king laid a heavy hand on my shoulder. “The world will be a much better place without Kollenstar. They have taken enough lives and started enough wars. Now will you take the injection?”

I backed away and shook my head.

He sighed. “Fine. If you are sure the effects of the venom are subsiding. If there was ever a spider to begin with. You will come around, my dear. You will see the good that it brings.”

He turned to Lyrason. “I will take the injection first. If there are no bad effects, we will give it to the queen and Stirling.”

Lord Lyrason dipped its head. “I assure you, it is well tested to be safe. I used it on several subjects from prison, though of course none remain now. The queen should be here shortly. Shall we summon Stirling too?”

Father nodded. “Yes, yes.” He focused on the leather case Lyrason was carrying and there was a strange light in his eyes. As he stepped toward Lyrason, his voice lowered as if it wasn't for my ears. “You, Lyrason, are about to become exceedingly rich. Our partnership will last generations.”

As he took another step away from me, I grabbed his sleeve. “Don’t do this. Please don’t do this. You’re healthy. You don’t need to live forever.”

He pulled my hand off and forcibly sat me down. “Annabelle, you are not well. You need to rest. If you struggle to breathe again, you must tell me at once, but you seem to be making quite a…remarkable recovery.” He raised his eyebrow in a dry expression.

Lord Lyrason returned from talking to a guard, and Gregane entered. He must have been waiting somewhere unseen in the corridor. “I shall get the injections ready.” He placed a leather case on the king’s desk and clicked it open.

I couldn’t believe this was happening. I stood back up and tilted my chin higher. “If you take this, Father, I will no longer follow you. I will oppose everything you do.”

Father ignored me and muttered something to Lyrason.

I wished I had my crossbow.

Lyrason drew up a yellow liquid in a syringe and instructed Father to roll up his sleeve.

The door crashed open.

We all turned as one to see Kasten looming in the doorway, his sword drawn. His face was emotionless, but everything about him was dangerous.

“What is the meaning of this?” the king shouted.

Part of me was relieved. The other part was terrified by what was about to happen.

Kasten gestured to the syringe in Lyrason’s hand. “If you allow him to inject that into you, I will be forced to arrest you both.”

Father snorted. “You can’t arrest the king, you fool. Sheathe your sword.”

Kasten closed the door behind him and took another menacing step forward. “I will not stand idly by while youpractice the darkest forms of haemalcomy. You cannot do this and remain king.”

The king tilted his head to one side as he assessed Kasten up and down. “Do you think I don’t know what you’ve been up to? Do you think I don’t know that you’re planning a coup? I have eyes everywhere. You’ve been trickling in Kasomere soldiers, infiltrating my guard. Your people have been seen around strategic points in the city.” He scoffed without humor. “We’re well prepared for you. Put away your sword, Kasten. You will never be king. I will always be stronger than you.”

Kasten remained unruffled but just stood waiting, one eyebrow raised questioningly. It was clear he was giving Father one last chance.

I took a step toward him, still struggling to think straight. “Don’t kill him, Kasten. Whatever he does. Please.”

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