Page 95 of Moon Cursed

Paxton’s mother.

“Sol Drach.”

Nyx’s younger brother.

I knew why they were here—all of them—and it damn sure wasn’t for aiding and abetting treason. It was to force them to aid and abet the crimes to come.

“So,” Liliya continued. “While I can appreciate that those chains are a mere formality to you, High Priestess, you will remain in them for the duration of the ceremony or... examples will need to be made.” She gestured to a silent Nyx, Edric, and Paxton. “They’ve accepted that. It’s best you do too.”

“But you won’t do it,” I rasped even as I lay back down and put my wrists back in the chains. “You won’t hurt them. You definitely won’t hurt a clan leader’s son and heir.”

“Won’t we?” Jabari asked. “You’re not suggesting we grant him special treatment, are you? I thought your little crusade was all about equality.”

My stomach heaved as the councilmembers laughed—all except for the silent Cygnus.

“Jokes aside, you’re right,” Jabari continued. “It would be unfortunate to cut down so many promising members of our community because they were led astray by sentiment. As such, the council is willing to grant them pardons as long as the six of you cease your nonsense and carry out your sacred duty here for all to witness.”

I turned away from him, looking straight into a camera. “For those of you that need a translation from pompous ass, he just said they won’t kill the people we love and care about if I shut up and let my fates rape me for all to see.”

Bang!

Half the room jerked, including three of the secret police. Their eyes all flew where mine did to a fuming Cygnus Tahan.

Launching offmythrone, Cygnus grabbed a sword and came straight for me.

“Hey,” I cried. “Hey! Stop! Stay the hell away from me!”

The sword flashed and pain ripped through my arm.

Clang!

Disbelief colored me when he tossed the sword away as quickly as he picked it up. Reaching for something over my head, Cygnus pulled back holding a cup that he pressed to my slowly healing cut. Confusion and then revulsion smothered me as the sick, perverted man tipped my blood directly into his mouth—drinking every last drop.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” The loathing in my voice chilled even me. “You’re insane.”

Cygnus smiled directly into my eyes, his teeth stained from my blood. “I assure you, girl,” he replied, voice clear as a bell. “I am quite sane.”

I rocked back. “Wha—?” I snapped to the cut. “How— How did—?”

“How did I lift the wretched affliction you cursed me with?” He stood towering over me. “How else but with the gift of the goddess running through your veins?”

“But I didn’t—”

“—know you had such a gift?” he finished, so fucking smug, I wanted to burn his vocal cords all over again. “There’s a lot you don’t know, and I’ll tell you why, it’s because you’re a silly, stupid, ignorant, spoiled child! Who we allowed to manifest delusions of grandeur that warped your mind and made you believe you had more of a purpose in life than sitting down, shutting up, and doing what you’re told!”

I growled, turning up my nose at the spittle showering my stomach. “Been waiting a long time to say that to me, haven’t you?” I laughed. “How did it feel, Tahan? If I’m so silly and stupid and useless for not being an alpha... what did that make you the last few weeks?”

His fists balled.

“I bet your mate threw a party for every fucking day she got relief from the morning, noon, and night love poems you recite to the bastard in the mirror.” I scoffed. “I bet you jerk off to your reflection too. The only thing that gets a narcissistic perv like you off is yourself.”

Pure hatred burned in his eyes. “Lamond.”

A sword cleaved the air.

Without pause, thought, or mercy, the officer severed Ava’s head from her shoulders.

“No!”

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