Page 47 of The Last Strike

“Just be careful. Asher has access to intelligence far beyond what we do. I don’t know the full extent of his resources, but make no mistake—we need to be very careful now.”

Queen Victoria told him nothing he hadn’t already known, but something about the edge in her voice unsettled him.

“Is he threatening you with something?” Khalil asked.

“No,” she replied without hesitation. “I’m simply trying to stay off his radar. I want no part in this war against Adani.”

“Yet you sent your soldiers to fight with Santina,” Khalil reminded her.

“That was to buy favor with Asher, to build an alliance so I could stay under the radar. That favor is benefiting you,” she said, now the one serving reminders.

“It would benefit me more if you could provide additional details,” Khalil said lightly.

“What did you expect, Khalil? Surely as soon as you saw that video, you knew Abigail would make the connection. She will be at Asher’s side through all of this and know everything that is going on. She is not some wallflower who will drink tea and bathe in the luxuries that royalty offers. No, she will be a partner to Asher, and a strong one. We might do well to fear her as much as we fear Asher,” Queen Victoria said worriedly.

“I do not fear Asher,” Khalil said sharply.

“I do—and you should. He leads with the same compassion and empathy as his father, but there’s something different about Asher. He’s dangerous, because he’s not afraid to take action.”

“I do not want to talk about him,” Khalil said, his voice a growl. “If you called merely to boast about him, do not bother calling me again. Call me when you have something useful, Victoria, and I suggest you find something useful soon before tragedy strikes Arinia.”

“I am not calling to boast, I am talking to you as a friend. Asher is a threat—to all of us,” Victoria said.

“Why are you so concerned?” Khalil asked. “The war is against Adani, not Arinia.”

Victoria sighed. “Because if Adani falls, Asher will control Santina and Adani, and I fear he’ll turn on Arinia. I think Asher wants control of every kingdom in the region.”

“Adani willneverfall!” Khalil boomed, his voice like venom as he slammed the phone down. Blood rushed through his veins and his vision blurred. He looked to the window and thought about walking out and slaughtering all of the protestors to teach them a lesson.

How dare Victoria even suggest he might fail? He would show her—he would show them all.

The door opened and Raoul entered with Grace.

“Sit her down and cuff her,” Khalil demanded.

Grace’s eyes doubled in size. “Khalil, what are you doing?” she asked, so quickly Khalil barely understood her.

“What must be done,” he said without a slither of doubt.

“What must be done? What does that mean? Khalil, I have served you! I have been loyal to you! What has brought this on? Talk to me! Tell me!” she said as she struggled against Raoul restraining her. Within seconds he had her cuffed and bound to the chair. She stood no chance against the former Rebel.

“You will be executed for treason, Grace. You have served me well, and this will be your final sacrifice,” he said, matter-of-factly.

Her eyebrows threaded together and she blinked, like she didn’t understand what he’d said. Soon after, however, the realization must’ve set in, because she abruptly tried to stand and bucked against the restraints, screaming wildly.

“Why?” she yelled. “Why?”

“Quiet!” Raoul commanded.

“He put you up to this!” Grace yelled. “Don’t do this, Khalil! We were to rule together, we will take Santina together. That was the plan!” she said desperately.

Khalil shook his head. “It was never the plan, Grace.”

She looked at him like he’d grown two heads, her eyes wide, her pupils dilated.

“Don’t listen to him. I can help you. I still have friends in Santina, Khalil, and you might need them,” she said in a rush, changing tactics. “They won’t respond to you, they won’t answer to you, but they will do what I ask.”

“It is not enough,” Khalil said. “Asher didn’t die in the palace attack, nor did his family—that was your fault. He has only grown more powerful since, and you can no longer provide me with any useful information. Your entire scheme failed, Grace, and now you will pay the price.”

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