Page 144 of Of Spindles and Nightfall
Somehow, they had gotten their hands on the same potion that Zarathos used. Aryana had seen “Tigon” take an empty vial fromshapeshifter Neri. Aryana hadn’t understood what it meant at the time. And Pohan no doubt got his potion from whoever gave him the bread. “How—”
“I’m tired of your questions. Let’s be off.”
She threw the bean. A large opening split in the trunk of an old gnarled tree. And through it, Aryana saw the sharp, jagged spears of Zarathos’s castle. Her heart thudded in her chest. She didn’t know how it was possible. And she was uncertain whether this was a blessing or a curse. If they hadn’t arrived so soon, perhaps Aryana might have devised a plan for getting the scepter piece from Neri. But that would assume Zarathos could make it through the last trial without her assistance. Gods, maybe they were both moments away from death.
She had to find a way to stop everything that was approaching.I’m coming, Zarathos.
“Very nice.” Neri’s hand darted out, a sharp prick piercing the side of Aryana’s neck. She snarled, twisting toward Neri, but then a cold, pain-filled numbness spread from her throat down through her limbs. Panic flared. Holy water. She’d been drugged. The realization hit as her legs buckled beneath her.
She couldn’t move.
She couldn’t move.
They dragged her through the portal, and it shut behind her. “Gag her and carry her in.” Neri held out her hands. “And take me as a prisoner too, though don’t let them get too good a look at my face.”
“Yes, my lady,” one shapeshifter said.
It took an embarrassing short amount of time to make it past the guards at the front gate. Aryana supposed that when trials were going on, thousands of demons made their way through the gates every day. And apparently, nobody cared if those entering the castle brought prisoners with them.
Aryana’s heart pounded in her chest. Shit. What was she going to do? The only good news was that she was still alive, which meant Zarathos must still be alive. For now. They carried her like a limp rag doll. And once they were in, they dumped her on the floor of a side hallway.
Neri squatted in front of her, pulling the gag from her mouth. “I was once forced to be a giver.” Her lip curled. “Once you’re dead, I intend to turn your lifeless body over to King Salen so he can pick your corpse clean and send your bones back to your dear mother.” She patted Aryana’s cheek. “It will be our declaration of war.”
“Neri, please—”
“How appropriate. Just before Zarathos went into the trials, he was drugged, too. Though what we gave him was much more potent. Still, this should last long enough until the trials have concluded.”
“You can’t get into Zarathos’s room,” Aryana tried. “You need me.”
“Oh, little vampire princess.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a potion. “Your demon king isn’t the only one who can get his hands on Neutrolisis.” She lifted the gag and shoved it into Aryana’s mouth. “Enjoy sitting here, so close and yet so far, knowing there is not a single thing you can do to save him.”
And with that, she turned and sauntered down the hall and out of sight, her shapeshifter followers trailing after her.
Oh gods. Oh gods. What had Neri done? Aryana couldn’t move, and Neri was about to reunite the scepter, ensuring her and Pohan’s rule. Zarathos would die, and the kingdoms would be thrown into violent chaos.
Aryana hadn’t saved Zarathos.
She hadn’t saved the humans.
She’d put the vampires in danger. Her mother. Her people.
She was going to lie on this floor and die knowing she’d destroyed everything that ever meant anything to her.
Zarathos was right. He should have chosen any kalator but her.
And all the bargains that would end. Marbas and the Misophaes and Terra Monstrum. Not to mention Kingdom Inferna’s bargain of protection, which included Mils and Ernon. They’d all be left with nothing…
Wait.
Wait.
She’d been able to give permission for demons to enter Zarathos’s bedchamber because she was his Bloodbound. What if she could call Mils and Ernon to her as well?
It was worth a try.
Mils, Ernon, come to me,she thought.
She hoped she didn’t need to say it out loud.
