Page 10 of Darkest Heart

Niall emerged from the open doors behind us, and Erianna shot him a scathing look. “Play nice,” I whispered as Niall exchanged words with the Blood Knight, who nodded, then hopped back in the carriage. “He’s giving us information.”

“Shouldn’t you be going?” Niall shouted over the courtyard. “Or are you waiting foryourking?”

Erianna rolled her eyes, the dagger back in her hand before I could even see her reach for it. She always was much faster than the rest of us. “We’re waiting for Zach.”

Niall tutted, moving his brown eyes to the blade. “Put it away, love. You’ll only hurt yourself.”

I placed my hand on her shoulder before she did anything hasty. As much as I’d enjoy watching her stick it in the side of Niall, knowing the weapon’s magical properties would cause him more pain than most, he was the only one who knew anything it seemed.

I cleared my throat, stepping to Erianna’s side. “How certain are you Olivia is in Dragoirmer?”

He shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets. “As sure as I am that Astor’s behind this whole thing.”

I nodded. “I believe he is, too.”

Erianna gave me a look. “We can’t know that. He’s missing, just like her.”

I scoffed. “He isn’t important enough to be kidnapped. It was an inside job, and while our list of enemies isn’t short, he’s the only one other than Olivia that’s mysteriously vanished. We both know he hated her, and us. He was using Gwen…”

Niall tensed on hearing her name, and I trailed off. In the distance, I spotted Zach’s silver wings glistening against the sunlight as he arrowed through the clouds. Niall rolled his eyes, turning back to the castle. “Make sure you find her.”

“Why do you care?” Erianna asked before I could.

“Icareabout the monarchy,” he said simply, but something in his glare told me there was more to it than that. “If she goes down, they’ll come for the rest of us. I’ve built a life here, and I despise the aniccipere.” His eyes glazed over for a minute, but as the flapping of wings grew louder, he snapped out of whatever memory had stolen him away.

I cleared my throat, looking at Niall. “Who told you she was in Dragoirmer?”

“One of my members,” he said with a prideful smirk. “We have clubs all over now.”

I repressed the urge to roll my eyes. “If they told you, then how do we know that information hasn’t gotten back to the soul vampires?”

“It hasn’t and stop calling them vampires. They’re demon half breeds.”

I didn’t react. There were few ways to get under Niall’s skin, and apathy was the best one. “Thanks for the info.”

There was no way I was pinning all my hopes on Niall’s information, however helpful. There were other clubs, far more secret and powerful than his. But it was something.

Niall slammed a hand on my shoulder. “I must go. Mortals to eat. People to rule. Good luck, Vangard.”

He disappeared before Zach landed. Erianna clicked her tongue. “I don’t trust him.”

“Me either, but it’s all we have.”

“Still, Niall could be leading us astray.”

“Who isn’t? There are so many rumors flying around. We’re pretty sure she’s in the south, so the main city makes sense, anyway.” Zach dropped a few feet to our left and landed with the grace of a cat. I’d never been happier to see him. “Brother,” I said, embracing him. Having the three of us together again gave me hope that we’d find her.

Zach enclosed his wings behind his back. “I got your letter,” he said, his stoic expression quickly replacing his smile. “We will head to the city first.”

“City?” I questioned.

“There are other people we can see to confirm her location. Once they know we’re there, they’ll try harder to conceal her. Perhaps even taking her out of Sanmorte altogether.”

Erianna shot him a glare. “Really, Zach? They won’t move her. The south is their territory. It’s where they feel safe.”

His eyes sparkled with challenge. “You and I have seen how unpredictable they can be. Remember the battle on the shores twenty…”

“Four years ago,” she finished. “Yes. I know what they’re capable of. But even then, they didn’t leave the south. They have their new, ridiculous monarchy, too. They appointed a king.” She rolled her eyes.

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