Page 96 of Pain

“Drak, cousin. I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon again,” Howar said, his tone chipper. “What news do you have of the little half-demon and her willingness to meet with us?”

Omaera glared at my phone on the bed. “I’m here too, Your Majesty. Omaera Playfair, pleased to finally make your acquaintance.”

The noise Howar made on the phone was like he’d just swallowed a chicken bone. “Y-Your Majesty, m-my sincerest apologies. Had I known I was on speakerphone, I never would have—”

“You are forgiven,” Omaera said, smiling like a cat playing with a mouse before she devoured it. “I agree with you though. It is time for me to meet the other Realm leaders in person. I greatly appreciate your patience with me as I acclimated myself to this new world, my new role, and my new mates. As I’m sure you understand, it was a lot to process, considering I was raised human and believed I was entirely human less than a month ago.”

“Y-yes, of course, Your Majesty. We fully understand that it has been a lot to grasp. And given your limited … knowledge of our realm, and your powers—”

“I’m doing just fine now. Thank you for your concern, but it’s entirely unneeded.”

Another choking on a chicken bone noise squawked through the phone. “Of course, of course.”

“I would like to meet with you, Queen Anysa, and King Ryden. Soon. Perhaps, two days hence.”

“Hence?” Maxar mouthed with amusement.

Omaera shrugged and winked. “Just playing the role,” she mouthed back.

“Two days?” Howar asked.

“Does that work for you?” Omaera asked.

“Uh … yes, it should. Two days from now at the Palace of Venixe in Arizona. Drak knows where that is.”

I knew he was going to choose the Palace of Venixe. It was the perfect place for a calculated attack. Howar was so predictable. Yet, somehow, I completely missed his true nature and that he would ultimately betray me. Apparently, he wasn’tthatpredictable.

Omaera’s gaze met mine, her brows lifting a little.

I nodded.

“Excellent. I look forward to meeting you in person,” she replied.

“As do I, Your Majesty.”

“Oh, Howar, before you go …” Omaera said, picking up her chopsticks, leaning forward a little to grab a piece of yam tempura roll from the tray of sushi.

“Yes, Your Majesty?” Intrigue, and perhaps a touch of concern, coloredHowar’s deep timbre.

“When we arrived at the portal to Hell, there was an ambush of vampires waiting for us. Do you know anything about that? After all, you’re the only person who knew where we were going as Drak asked you for portal coordinates, and that’s the portal you directed us to.”

My jaw dropped, as did Maxar’s and Zandren’s. Bringing up the attack to Howar wasnotpart of our plan.

My cousin instantly began to lie and trip over his words. “W-what? A-are you accusing me of betraying the crown? Betraying my cousin?”

“I’m not accusing you of anything,” Omaera said innocently. “I’m simply asking if you know anything about it. Perhaps staff of yours overheard you and relayed the coordinates to someone? Have you had any recent new hires that could be of suspicion? Maybe you need to take a thorough inventory of who you have working for you and just where their allegiances lie. Just a … suggestion. From one monarch to another of course.”

I really wished I could see Howar’s face at that moment and the absolute shock I’m sure he displayed at the way Omaera addressed him. Accusing him of either having unrest in his ranks, or betraying us outright. It was a bold accusation, and not one she could take back. It would also surely incite Howar into retaliating if he wasn’t already planning on it.

“W-well, you’ve certainly given me a lot to think about, Your Majesty,” Howar said, fumbling less over his words than before. “I will look into my staff. You can be sure of that. However, if you don’t mind me asking, whatskincolor did the vampires have? Youdoknow there are two species of vampires, right?”

“I do, yes. I killed a Phaceanesh just a day or two after I came into my powers. However, the ambush happened in daylight, and it is my understanding that Phaceanesh can only come out at night, due to the translucency of their skin. Correct?”

“That … is … correct,” Howar said slowly.

“So, by that deduction, and our blatant firsthand observations that the vampires who attacked us did not have skin that was near translucent—”

“Yes, yes, I get what you’re saying,” Howar interrupted. “It was obviouslyrogue vampires, not Phaceanesh.”

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