Page 42 of A Reign of Malice
Aeson’s laugh is a touch too loud, his smile stretched abnormally wide. “Quite all right. I’m sure I’ll find something to fill my time while the ladies have their fun.”
The way he says it sends an involuntary shiver down myspine. There’s an edge to his voice, a razor-sharp warning buried beneath the charm. He’s going to be watching us tonight, of that I’m certain.
But when Estee’s smirk deepens, my nerves ease just a little. Whatever Aeson has planned, I get the sense she’s already prepared for it.
She stands on her toes to kiss Theo’s cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
“Be sa—good.”
I catch the slip, though it seems the others miss it. Whatever Estee told him about why they’re really here, he’s worried.
So am I.
Isla kisses Asher goodbye, and I turn to Aeson, my own smile plastered on like a mask I can’t quite peel off. “I’ll see you in the morning then?”
He steps in close, wrapping me in an embrace that’s all steel beneath velvet. His hands press against my ribs, fingers digging just enough to remind me of his strength and temper. “Or sooner,” he whispers, his breath hot against my ear.
When he pulls back, I school my expression, careful not to let him see the flicker of panic behind my eyes. I’ve pushed him too far already, stripped away too many layers of his act. He’s not bothering to hide the monster anymore.
And monsters only know how to destroy.
Isla loops her arm through mine, her presence solid and grounding. “Let’s head to your room, Sloane,” she says cheerfully, her tone innocent but firm enough to leave no room for argument. She casts a glance back at the men and winks. “Don’t wait up for us.”
If only I could believe Aeson intended to sleep tonight.
We walk up the stairs together, Estee on my other side,the three of us forming an unspoken shield around each other. The tension in my chest unravels, just a bit, with each step we climb. There’s no denying the storm that’s coming, but at least I’m not walking into it alone.
By the time we reach my room, my mind’s already racing ahead, cataloging every move I need to make, every piece of the puzzle I still have to place before I can free Julian and end Aeson’s reign.
The door clicks shut behind us, and Estee immediately pulls a vial of shimmering silver liquid from the folds of her dress. She holds a finger to her lips as she walks the perimeter of my room, carefully dripping the liquid along the walls.
The silver droplets glisten as they make contact with the stone then evaporate into nothingness, leaving no trace behind.
Once the vial’s empty, she holds up her fingers and counts down from five. At zero, she grins. “Now it’s safe to talk. This will last for the next eight hours or so.”
“A cloaking spell?” I haven’t seen one of those in years. I used to collect them when the realms weren’t so separated, but after losing a couple of wolves to fights, I told my pack we were done using the portal to trade items with the other supernaturals.
Estee’s grin deepens. “Leftover from the last Alpha King. He was into some seriously dark shit, but we salvaged a few useful tricks.”
Isla steps in front of me, her expression unusually serious. “Before we start, there’s something I need to say. I know you reached out to Estee for help, and that you and I don’t really know each other yet. So, if you’re at all uncomfortable with my being here, just say the word and I’ll go.”
“Absolutely not,” I say without hesitation. “I know youtwo are a package deal. If I had any reservations about that, I wouldn’t have called Estee in the first place.”
Isla exhales in relief. “Oh, thank the gods. Because I sat out of the last fight, and I’ll be damned if I miss this one.”
Her words pull a small laugh from me, the first genuine one I’ve had in days.
“Do you really think there’s going to be a fight?” I ask, my brows pulling together as we all settle into the sitting area near the fireplace. The warm glow does little to thaw the growing tension in my chest.
“Seems like the only logical outcome,” Estee says first, her tone blunt but not unkind. “Can you picture a scenario where Aeson willingly admits to his sordid plans, hands you back your freedom, and walks away?”
The thought is so ridiculous I can’t help but laugh—a flat, humorless sound. “Not even a little.”
“Exactly.” Estee leans back, her fingers draped casually over the arm of the chair as she side-eyes her sister. “Which is why I have a plan. Butoneof you isn’t going to like it.”
Isla narrows her eyes. “What won’t I like?”
Estee’s grin is a little too mischievous for the situation. “Aurora.”
