Page 59 of A Deception of Courts

“Respectfully, we have not come all this way for you not to listen,” Duncan added.

“Human, perhaps you need me to repeat myself. As I have already said, you are each welcome to stay in our home, but youwillleave come morning.”

“Name your price,” I spat, nails slicing into my palms.

Seraphine slapped her palms across her thighs and spat on the floor between us. “Do not bring the chaos that follows you to our door.”

“You know why we are here, and you are scared, understandably,” Duncan said, stepping away from our line, closer to the assassin queen. I was certain I heard the rumble of thunder far beyond the thick stone walls, but no one else seemed to notice. “We are all frightened. The least you can do is hear us out.”

“I already know what has brought you here. Old habits die hard,” Seraphine replied, unable to hide her smirk. “We may have retired from our former duties, but we are not stupid enough to close our eyes and ears to what is happening around us.”

The sinking feeling of realisation itched at my skin.

“So then, how many of you stayed behind to spy on us?” I asked.

“Enough to know what happened to Gabrial. So, have you come to lay blame on us for her death?”

I scolded myself for not noticing. How had I been so blind to trust that Seraphine would have withdrawn all her assassins when she had left for Imeria? Regardless of if she still revoked her former duties, they were ingrained into her blood just like this place was for me. “Well, are you to blame?”

“Of course not,” Seraphine shouted, evidently offended by the suggestion.

“Care to touch my hammer, so I can seek the truth of that?” Rafaela said.

“We both know that isn’t required, Nephilim.”

I fought the urge to take my attention off Seraphine and indulge myself in studying the room I stood in. A place my mother would have once walked. I blinked and could almost see her, in my mind’s eye, sitting upon the throne in Seraphine’s place.

A brown sheet fluttered on the wall behind the throne. Now and then, I would see behind it, to the smashed glass window that Seraphine had attempted to cover. There was no hiding how the material caught on the jagged shards of glass that still clung to the frame, ripping holes that hinted at the grey-covered sky beyond the castle.

I didn’t need to ask to know that this destruction was caused by the gryvern when Doran sent them to kill my mother. From the small glances I allowed myself on the walk to the throne room, it was clear the window behind the throne wasn’t the only sign that a struggle had infiltrated this place. It scarred the walls, floors and pillars. Marks made from claws. Old stains splattered against walls, even the air was kissed with the memory of death.

Sensing my discomfort, a hand slipped into mine, drawing me out of my imagination. I followed the gloved hand up to the person it belonged to. Duncan’s concern was palpable across his handsome face.

One squeeze from his fingers was enough to refocus me. “I’m here.”

I forced a smile whilst the Nephilim and assassin entered a silent battle.

“Seraphine, if you know, then let us skip this part and get to what we’ve come here to uncover,” I said, confidence borrowed from Duncan’s steel gaze and firm touch.

“Your question would be wasted–”

“Who killed her?” Rafaela growled, slamming the butt of her weapon against the floor, cracking stone.

The sound rippled across the room, encasing us all in the tension that seemed to have grown thicker since we arrived.

“Unfortunately,” Seraphine replied, narrowed eyes scanning the group. “I cannot provide the solace you require, Nephilim. The murderer of your companion is unknown to us, we only know it happened. The person who took that girl’s life is skilled at hiding from shadows. But I’m aware you believe Aldrick is behind it, and I think we can all agree that he is.”

“That’s not good enough.” The room shook as Rafaela stomped her foot down. Dust rained down from the vaulted ceiling, coating our hair and shoulders like snow.

Seraphine stood, then walked carefully down the cracked, worn steps until she was level with the three of us. It was the first time I’d seen her dressed in such luxurious clothing. Naturally, my eyes scanned her strong limbs for weapons, yet I couldn’t see even the hint of any upon her.

This wasn’t the assassin I had come to know. As Seraphine suggested, it seemed she truly had shed that skin.

“Gabrial was killed because of what she could provide you in the war to come. Her insight into Aldrick was invaluable, and whoever murdered her knew that. Which means you are once again blind to his movements and decisions. However, Gabrial isn’t the only one with the ability to see doings at such great distances… is she, Robin?”

“No, Seraphine. She isn’t.”

“So, go on then, spit it out,” Seraphine sighed, rolling her eyes as she looked back at me. “Ask me what it is you came all this way for.”

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