Page 85 of Crowned A Traitor
“I came back to kill my sister,” Klara snapped, and Lucifer rubbed his temples. Klara hated to admit it, but she never wanted Malum in Abadan’s hands.
“Yes, your sister did take things a step too far, and she will be punished. However, Arthur fulfilled his role. He was part of the council that helped construct this plan.”
“He wanted to be torn apart?”
“Not in so many words, but his years of service were up, and he wanted to make sure you claimed your place in this family.”
“Family?” Klara almost gagged. Arthur knew all along this was a trick, and yet she still wished he was here. “Arthur thought you were ready, but your hatred towards the crown blinded you.”
“And Lilith?”
“I’m deeply sorry; her death was never part of the plan. I firmly believed that Abadan would imprison her. That’s why I questioned you. I thought you had lost control.”
Klara couldn’t say anything, what was done was done, discussing it wouldn’t bring Lilith back.
“The game is over, why should I do what you want?” Klara wanted as far away from them as possible, but there was nowhere on this plane to run to.
Aemella rolled her eyes growing impatient. “Take Malum, and I will consider loosening the border restrictions. We need a border, but I can be more lenient to the Creatures you seem to care so much about. The wall will decide who enters, and if deemed worthy, they won’t be harmed. However, those who have committed crimes or use dark magic will be denied access.” Klara could see the concession physically pained the Fae Queen.
“I want the Fae torturing those who try to enter to be punished and stripped of their ranks,” Klara said, and the Fae Queen scoffed. “The Commander warned me about her stubborn streak,” Aemella said to Lucifer. “Commander?” Klara asked only to be met with silence.
“Already acting like a Queen, any other demands?” Lucifer chuckled.
“Lottie and Wolfgang are to stay in Kalos.” Her Father’s plot had cost them their family. It was the least Klara could do. “That might be tricky,” Aemella said, but Lucifer changed the subject.
“What to do with your sister?” Lucifer said, and Aemella snapped her fingers. Mila appeared unconscious in the arms of two Fae. Klara had seen into Mila’s mind and saw there was little good in her, but she had a great sense of purpose. “Does the Maze need Torturers?” Klara asked.
Lucifer nodded, “Always.” Klara couldn’t believe what she was about to say. “Take Mila’s roaming privileges, but if you don’t want to kill her, then she needs a position of power.”
“You would grant her mercy?” Aemella looked appalled. “She wasn’t given a chance,” Klara choked on her words. They had both been pawns in the Rulers’ game so Klara would start a new game.
“Wolfgang and Lottie. I want them safe, or I will burn this damned Forest to the ground, and at this point, I wouldn’t push me,” Klara wouldn’t let them change the subject this time.
The Fae Queen pursed her lips. “I knew that Commander was going to be trouble, bring them,” Aemella said, and Wolfgang and Lottie walked through the door. Wolfgang’s eyes met hers, and Klara’s shoulders relaxed. They were ok. Or at least, unharmed. Klara shook her head, thinking her eyes were playing tricks on her. Wolfgang stopped beside Aemella. Gone were his smoked riddled clothes, instead he wore the stark matte black of a Commander’s uniform and Lottie remained behind his legs.
“This can’t be right,” Klara said, looking at the three scars on Wolfgang’s cheek. Klara jumped up from the table to stand beside him.A glamour. Klara touched Wolfgang’s cheek not caring about the Fae Queen or Lucifer watching her. She needed to see behind the mask. The glamour slipped away. “Frendall,” Klara said. His eyes were riddled with sadness as the image of his body on the battlefield filled both their minds. “This isn’t real. I would have seen through the glamour the moment I touched him.”
Klara wasn’t sure if this was another cruel trick.I’m sorry,he projected the thought to her.
“I had to keep an eye on you; this was the easiest way to get past your gift. I sent Frendall to your mother to be concealed, and I put a decoy in Abadan’s hands,” Lucifer said.
“I’m much stronger than you, a Fae cannot see through another Fae’s glamour unless permitted,” Aemella smiled at her triumph, “I told you we shared the same gift.”
Klara held Frendall’s hand in hers, seeing what he had seen. Frendall stood at the mirror steps where Klara had knelt. The Fae Queen changed him into Wolfgang. Frendall turned to her in the image,I didn’t have a choice. This was why she hadn’t been able to see into his mind when they were on the run.
“Who died on the field?” Lucifer waved away the question, “some Lesser Demon to put off Abadan and Mila. Gave the Demon my ring so they wouldn’t question him.”
Abadan had used the ring to make Klara think the Lucifer on the field was her real Father.
“You can’t make someone a Lycaon with a glamour,” Klara said.
“Have you lost all ability to speak?” the King asked Frendall.
“The Queen and I made a deal. I would bring you to her, and she would ensure the survival of the packs.”
Klara didn’t understand.He was going to hand me over to my mother.That’s why he wanted me to stay in Kalos? To complete his mission.
“But your friend disobeyed me, found a way around my glamour,” the Fae Queen rose from her chair annoyed as Klara remembered the projection. He had tried to tell her who he was. The risk had got them caught by the Fae.
