Page 142 of Rise of the Siren Queen
Too late.
I slipped into his mind like poison through a vein, sinking my claws in with surgical cruelty. I didn’t need full control, just enough toparalyze. Just enough tohurt. He struggled, of course. Healwaysstruggled. But I’m done playing fair.
I locked him in place.
The fear in his eyes when his limbs refused to obey. That was the moment I felt alive again.
“You will sit still,” I whispered, every syllable dripping acid, “andwatch.”
I stepped closer, slow and deliberate, the promise of agony coiling around me like smoke.
“Watch,” I repeated, “as I return every bruise, every shattered breath, everyscaryour filthy bloodline carved into my grandmother.”
His pupils dilated. His chest heaved. He wanted to fight. Good.
“And when I’m done with them…” I leaned in, my lips nearly brushing his ear, my voice a whisper carved in frost, “I’llunmakeyou, Draven. Tear you down to every worthless molecule. Reduce you to the pile of filth you’ve always been.”
I pulled back, meeting his gaze, eyes wide, chained, helpless.
“No gods. No mercy. Just me.”
His rage quaked through the air, thick and bitter. His musclesstrained beneath the pressure of the restrains, trembling like a beast caught in a snare. But the only thing he could manage… was the pathetic clench of his fists.
And, gods, itthrilledme.
That helplessness. That beautiful, delicious futility. It curled inside me like a flame fed on gasoline, and I drank it in with the hunger of a starving soul.
I turned my back on him slowly, purposefully, dismissing him like the pitiful insect he was. Not worth even a second more of my direct attention. Let him seethe. Let him stew in his own impotent rage.
I kneeled beside Elora. Her skin was too pale, her breaths shallow and thin, but she was still breathing. Still alive. The agony must’ve stolen her consciousness, and in some cruel way, I was glad. She deserved peace. Even if only for a moment.
But he would know none.
“You know, Draven,” I said, not bothering to look back, my voice a silk thread wrapped around a dagger, “I’ve waitedsolong for this.”
I ran a hand gently over Elora’s cheek, a touch soft with fury buried underneath.
“It would be such awaste,” I continued, letting each word slither, “to rush through it. Don’t you think? After everything you’ve done? After what you did, what your familystolefrom mine?”
I rose, letting the pleasure of the moment steep through my bones.
“And more importantly,” I said, slowly pivoting toward him, “why deny my court the joy of vengeance? Of watching me avenge their queen and king?”
His jaw twitched. His silence was louder than any scream could have been.
Satisfied, I moved toward Sienna. Her lavender eyes locked on Thalor like twin blades honed in frost, sharp and resolute.
“Can you fight?” I asked her.
“He shoved poison down my throat.” Voice steady despite the frustration beneath it. “It blocked my powers and severed my connection to the goddess.” Her gaze flicked to Kieran, then back to me. “I can feel my power humming under my skin, but I can’t access it.” Her eyes narrowed as she looked at our friend. “I assume they did the same to El.”
“After this is done,” I said, my voice hard as iron, “we’ll see the royal healer. She’ll know how to reverse whatever poison those damned witches brewed for him.”
She nodded.
And I turned my attention to Ithra.
“You poisoned her. Marked her. Despite that,stillwasn’t enough for you—you sent your dog to finish the job.”
