Page 7 of MidKnight
“Torturing prisoners in our main rooms now, are we?” he asked dryly. “Should I have the room redecorated in shackles for you, Your Majesty?”
I whirled on Jorad, that smug shite. “Where are all the servants that came with Abbas?”
“As of right now, they are packing to leave. They had been detained for questioning, but it was determined they knew nothing of—”
“Put them back in their wing. Lock them in. Guards on all entrances, exits, windows.”
“We have a royal entourage about to arrive and those rooms are needed.”
“Open another wing!”
Jorad’s eyes shut and his face contorted in anger. “We don’t have time—”
“Then move the people from Cheryn to the unopened wing. Or the dungeon.”
“Do you intend to go to war with the sultan?” Jorad sniped.
I sat back next to Abbas prone body. I stared at the prince, at the monster without a name. I was at a loss. I didn’t know what to do.
Declan crouched beside me and offered me a hand. He pulled me to my feet. “Quinn could always send one of his people with them, have them take someone’s place with a disguise spell. Dig around to see if their stories change once they’re outside the palace.”
I nodded.
Done, Dove. I’m going to go find my guy now. Don’t kill Abbas without me.
I wouldn’t deprive you.
Good.
Ryan muttered, “If Isla’s coming on flying bears, she’ll be here soon, and I need to rearrange my troops. I’ll still send out a search party. But it’s going to be smaller. We’ll need numbers here.”
I agreed.
Ryan left. Cerena followed, taking her book, her message delivered.
Connor turned to me and gave a tiny smile. “I need to go with Jorad. I’ll need to make announcements to the nobles in residence, prepare the heralds, write a speech to welcome Isla.”
He and Jorad shut the door behind them; they left Declan and I staring down at Abbas.
“Well, I suppose we can’t just leave the shitepile there,” Declan kissed the top of my head before releasing my hand. “I’ll grab a few guards in the hallway to go lock him up.”
Declan left, and I pulled out a chair and sank into it. I had no idea what I was going to do. No idea how to save my sister. No idea who was after me. I was lost.
I covered my face with my hands, leaning on the table. I tried to tamp down on the anger I felt at myself.
I was so sarding screwed.
A bird shrilled and I saw Cerena’s bluebird swoop past me. She must have forgotten it—
A hand closed over my ankle and yanked. I tipped backward in the chair. My head smacked the wooden chair back and then the ground so quickly I didn’t even have time to scream. Black flecks filled my vision and I was dazed. When my eyes cleared, I saw that Abbas leaned over me. The whites of his eyes glowed as he stared down at me. He covered my mouth with one hand. His other hand wrapped around my neck.
I pushed frantically against him, but he was too strong. He flexed his fingers, cutting off my airflow. My kicks slowed and my hands clawed at him. Cerena’s bluebird divebombed Abbas.
He didn’t react. Not to the bird’s attacks or mine. Not even when I drew blood.
Instead, he pressed his body into mine, using his strength to pin me down and keep me immobile.
Abbas spoke and his voice had an odd, metallic echo to it. He didn’t sound human. “Originally, I wanted to take your kingdom.” He leaned closer, a crazed smile on his face. “Now, I’m going to take everything from you.” The fingers that had been gagging me started to move. He dragged his hand over the edge of my crown, which was tangled in my dark brown locks. Then his fingers trailed over my cheek and down my neck.
