Page 148 of Of Spindles and Nightfall
Pohan’s gaze flicked to Aryana. For an instant, temptation gleamed in his eyes—the desire to take what Zarathos held most dear.
But then his jaw tightened.
“D-deal,” he said.
Zarathos bit into his hand and took Pohan’s bloodied one in his own.
“No,” Pohan said. “Finish me. Let our deal be sealed in a death bargain.”
Zarathos drew a sharp breath. Such a bond would tie his promise to his very life, the only force powerful enough to ensure it. He raised the scepter. “Leave this world knowing your people will be free.”
The scepter flared with light, and when it struck Pohan, his body dissolved into ash.
Zarathos spun to Aryana, who was on the ground.
“I’m not dying anymore,” she said, quickly. “Only drugged with holy water. The Draught of Corruption that was giving me energy has worn off. We need to face the council.”
He stared at her. Despite the mass of pain in his own body, fury rang through his mind, ready to tear down kingdoms for his beloved. “Who drugged you?”
“It’s of no consequence, I defeated her. We must focus on the coup.”
Ah yes, that pesky matter.
As if on cue, the doors of the royal entrance—the only other way into the arena besides the barred side gates—swung open. The council filed in, stepping around the fire as they approached Zarathos and Aryana. The stands above were already empty, the crowds long gone.
“Well done, Zarathos,” Lady Braxia said, as if she wasn’t part of the coup herself. “You may now kill your kalator and you can be king.”
Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself to his feet. His not yet fully healed body protested every movement.
“That isn’t going to happen. You saw her wield the scepter, and you know what that means. Besides, we have bigger issues at play here.” He nodded to Aryana.
“Shapeshifters have infiltrated the castle. But there is a way to tell,” Aryana said. “They will be carrying a bottle of clear potion on them. It helps them block their scent and bring out the scent they want to be dominant.”
Surprise shot through him. Zarathos’s elixir. How in the hell?
“We start here.” He raised the scepter. “I don’t have time to determine every person’s loyalty. But you will each swear allegiance to your arch king and queen.”
“And if we don’t?” Lady Braxia asked.
He swung the scepter toward her, and it glowed. Part of him wanted to let loose on her, but instead he said, “I also don’t have time for dissension. The bargain is thus. You will assist in finding all the shapeshifters in my castle and anyone else in this coup attempt. You will pledge your loyalty to me. If you decide to revolt, then you have broken the contract. In return, you can keep your position and your life. Place your blood on the scepter. Make the unbreakable bargain with me or perish.”
They looked at one another, but Marbas came forward. “I will make the bargain.”
The others had no other choice but to nod in agreement.
One by one, they stepped forward, laid their bleeding hands on the scepter, and pledged their loyalty. Zarathos faced Marbas. “Find the captain of the guard. Don’t give anything away. Bring him here and once he arrives, search him.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Marbas said before he turned on his heel and left. When he returned with the captain in tow, Zarathos added, “Search them both.”
Though Marbas had sworn loyalty, Zarathos had to be sure. Marbas had left their presence, and that made him a risk. A council member stepped forward and carried out the order. Both males came up clean.
Zarathos extended the scepter, giving the same deal to the captain, who accepted and took the oath.
“Go find the other shapeshifters. Do not mention the potion to them, only search them for it. Do not take it or give away that is what we are looking for. When you have them, bring them to me. Tell them that their arch king is offering them their own kingdom. We’ll await them in the throne room. Be prepared. We will search everyone who enters.”
“Yes, sir,” they said, and turned to go.
“Zarathos, I left some demons and a human in your quarters,” Aryana said.
