Page 81 of Immortal Sins
Dad squeezes my arm. “Do as he says, but I’ll arrange for us to meet right after this. Don’t worry, Munchkin. I’ll get to the bottom of this.”
I nod and follow Darkwood to the line of trees. The Magisterium agents follow us until we enter the forest. Oz doesn’t follow, but the air of worry and doom written on his face doesn’t soothe the ache in my stomach. What did Darkwood tell him about tonight? What’s the official plan?
The vampire leans closer to my ear. “We’ll close the tear first. After you give me the horn, I’ll have Osbourne arrested.”
I pause. “You’ll expose Oz before I give you the horn. It’s non negotiable.”
Darkwood flashes his pointy teeth. “Fine.”
I don’t have the horn. I’ll show trust by closing the portal first. Darkwood will unveil the truth about Beth’s death. Once the dragon is arrested and his sins are exposed, it’ll be too late.
30
THE FAE PRINCESS
Perched on a tree above the tear between the realms where Jeremy’s body was dumped, I wait.
And wait.
Jules’ little blue dot reappeared on the Dark Falls’ roster earlier tonight. I’d set alarm after alarm to ensure I’d be the first one to know, but when I arrived at the gates to meet her, hidden by the shadow of the trees, everyone had beaten me to it.
Darkwood. Mom. Dad. Daniel. Half the Magisterium’s elite…
All the major players had reunited to greet my little sister. I couldn’t fly closer to the huddle without being seen, so I decided to get VIP seats on the action instead. After they finish their littlechatat the front gates, they’ll end up here, where I can see and hear everything.
Once more, I’ve been stiffed. No matter how much I try, none of them cares enough to include me in their plans. When my thunder isn’t needed, I don’t exist.
Jules always ends up in the middle of the action, while I have to lie and cheat and hide in the fucking trees to be kept in the loop. Figures.
Arms wrapped around the trunk of a thick pine, I wait. The rough bark scratches my hands, and my muscles scream in agony before I finally see shadows move between the trees.
What the fuck?
A shine radiates off my sister as though her skin has absorbed the light of Faerie, but that’s not supposed to last more than a few seconds on an earthling.
Their lips move, but I can’t hear their voices over the high wind and curse under my breath. Careful not to disturb the branches too much, I slowly climb down the tall pine and crouch low, inching closer and closer to Jules.
A loudwhooshsends the dead leaves and branches flying. Jules stands with her palm open to the shiny black hole in the middle of the clearing. It’s ten times smaller than it was a minute ago, and I hold my breath.
She can close an underworld portal.
My little sister.
Daniel mentioned that Beth had taught her how to do it, but seeing it with my own eyes… How is she summoning so much infernal magic? The stream of power emanating from her is ten times as strong as it had been in the Duel ring, and I can’t comprehend where it’s coming from.
The portal shrivels to a thin line, and Jules wipes sweat off her forehead. Laboured breaths quake her ribcage. “Give me a minute. I’ll finish the job.”
Darkwood shakes his head. “No need. I prefer it this way.”
“Are you serious? Hollows might still squeeze through.”
“As long as the Underworld portal is still active, it remains a threat. The people of this realm need a common enemy, not harmony. Empires aren’t built on peace. Who do you think started the rumors of a Fae-Demon alliance?”
I shouldn’t be surprised Darkwood wants to use the fears of his constituents to get more power, but if the hollows are as dangerous as Daniel implied, this is irresponsible—and crazy.
“Why are you telling me? Are you hoping I’ll switch sides?” Jules asks Darkwood, her forehead creased in confusion.
The vampire cocks his head to the side, an eagle admiring a mouse, and my pulse spikes.
