Page 52 of Gua rdian of Blood and Shadow

Several shifters stood around the table, their military bearing marking them as commanders. Their watchful stares tracked us with predatory focus. One woman nonchalantly pulled a cover over the three-dimensional map, only making me more curious about the places marked by the medallions.

“Please, sit,” Veris said, gesturing to chairs across from his ornate throne-like seat positioned in front of the manganese wall. The fake politeness made my skin crawl, a parody of diplomacy in a room designed for conquest. Had he given the order to attack the Moon Sanctuary from this room? Had he sentenced my mom and sister and countless queens to death fromright here?

I remained standing, Javier a solid presence at my back. Through our bond, I felt him cataloging every threat, every weakness, every escape route. His knuckles grazed my spine, a gentle touch Veris and his minions might not notice, but enough to assure me I wasn’t alone.

“I didn’t come here to chitchat,” I said, my voice sharp enough to cut.

“No,” Veris agreed, his smile cold and practiced. “You came for your consort, I’m sure. That’s the deal you offer, is it not? You’llattemptto break the curse in exchange for your servant. How predictable.” He settled into his chair and flicked his fingers at a commander. “Bring the corpse.”

Those three words made my heart turn leaden and sink into my gut. Frantically, I reached through my bond with Gavin, and I felt him, very much alive. Or rather,undead. But notcorpsedead.

Javier lowered his head, bringing his lips close to my ear. “Corpseis a derogatory term for an undead vampire,” he whispered, his voice barely audible, just for me.

“While we wait,” Veris continued, studying me like a collector eyeing a rare specimen, “perhaps we should discuss terms. You want your consort. I want the curse broken.” His amber eyes gleamed with covetous hunger. “A simple exchange, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Simple, but incomplete,” I replied.“You’ll release the captive queens as well.”

Veris leaned forward, his massive hands splayed on the throne’s armrests. “Break the curse that has limited my people for millennia. In exchange, I will release your consort and the remaining queens.”

A side door opened. Gavin’s presence crashed through our bond—aware, just barely. Exhausted. Pissed off.

His scent hit me next—dried blood and an undercurrent of foul corruption, like the shadow taint had seeped into him during his imprisonment, but beneath it all was a mouth-watering aroma that was intrinsicallyGavin. My chest tightened painfully, and my nails bit into my palms as I fought to maintain even a shred of queenly composure.

When they half-dragged him in, something inside me cracked. They’d chained him, iron shackles around his ankles and wrists, and a dull iron mask covering his face; mere slivers cut into the metal for his eyes, nose, and mouth. Not iron, I realized. Manganese.Thiswas the source of the foulness tangled with his scent.Thiswas why Javier hadn’t carried the same lingering shadow taint after spending so much longer as a prisoner here. They were poisoning Gavin with corrupted bindings.

I clenched my jaw. Did they know? Were they aware of the taint corrupting their precious metal? The taint they had spread to the manganese through their own corrupted magic? Or was this just a really shitty accident?

Javier placed a hand on my shoulder, steadying me as I took in the sight of my powerful guardian—the vampire whose calculated grace had anchored me when my carefully constructed world turned upside down.

Gavin’s short, black hair was matted with dried blood, his clothes torn and filthy, skin ashen where it had once glowed with vitality. The bond mark on his neck had dulled to a faint shimmer, barely visible through the dried and crusted blood staining his skin. But the mask undid me, hiding his distinctive silver eyes. Erasing his identity. Turning him into a walking blood bag for the queens.

“Gavin,” I whispered, his name catching in my throat. Guilt hit me like a physical blow, tears welling instantly. While I’d been wrapped in pleasure with my other consorts, Gavin had been suffering alone in the darkness. “I’m so sorry.”

“Touching reunion,” Veris intruded, examining his nails with exaggerated boredom. “But we have business.” He gestured to the guards flanking Gavin. “As you can see, your consort lives. For now.”

“Remove his bindings,” I demanded. “I won’t agree to a single thing until you get those chains and that ridiculous mask off him.”

Veris smirked, smug. “His bindings come off when mine do.”

I stepped forward, and Javier’s hand slipped off my shoulder. “He poses no threat in this state. Remove his bindings,” I repeated, taking another step. Moonlight pulsed inside me, mywillstraining for release. “Before Imake you.”

“You think you can?” Veris barked a laugh. “You think you’re stronger than the great High Queen Diana with a full harem fueling her power and centuries of experience using it?” His laughter expanded, filling the space. “Your mother tried to use herwillon me.” He leaned forward, menacing. Mocking. “About three seconds before I ripped her throat out.”

I reared back like his words held physical weight. “Iam notmy mother.”

“No,” Veris said. “You’re a child playing at being queen.”

Rage boiled my blood, and moonlight seeped from my pores.

Veris sat up straighter, some of the amusement draining from his eyes.

“If I have to repeat myself again,” I said, my voice ringing with power, “then we’ll all find out how wrong—or right—you are.” I glanced at his sycophants. “I’m sure they would love to know if achildcan best you. I’m sure it would make them wonder if your own child, Bastian—” I glanced at the watching shifters. “One of my consorts,” I reminded them. “—would be a stronger king.”

Veris stared me down for long seconds before flicking his fingers at the guards standing over Gavin. “Do it.” He bared his teeth at me in a mockery of a smile. “As an act of goodwill.”

I crossed my arms, watching as Gavin’s shackles were removed, first from his ankles, then from his arms. Lastly, they removed his mask. I cataloged the wear wounds on his ankles, wrists, and face, silently vowing to make sure Veris felt Gavin’s pain. When this was over. When the deals had been set and met.

“If I agree to remove the curse,” I said, each word measured and precise, “I want Gavin and all the queens released immediately. Before I attempt anything.”

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