Page 21 of Song of Night

“It’s what you are, isn’t it?” Those jade eyes burn into me, as if peering into my soul. “We both know you’re not just a blood donor for the demon lord.”

I feel both alarmed and strangely pleased that someone finally sees me for what I am. But I don’t trust this fae king, so I bite my tongue.

“I could sense the residue of magic on you the moment I laid eyes on you, Zara,” Vyrin says. “You sparkle with it as if your very bones are made of the stuff. Your blood and your soul.”

“My… my soul?”

I blink. The face of a bat spins past, the wings of a butterfly. It seems as if I can see the notes of music from the harpists hanging in the air, dancing along with the rest of us.

“You are like him,” Vyrin continues. “It’s no wonder he won’t let you out of his sight. He needs you, though I’ll bet he doesn’t admit it, does he?”

I nod my head without even thinking, as if a puppet pulled on strings. “No—I mean, it’s not like that,” I stammer. What is wrong with me?

“You both lost it, though, your magic… how did that happen?” His eyes are sharp on mine, yet he’s smiling in that charming way. Charming as a jackal…

“We… the explosion…”

We’re spinning, the room is spinning, the night is spinning.

“No!” I yell, but it sounds garbled, distant.

I shove away from Vyrin.

Something is very wrong with this place. I push toward the balcony, toward the fresh air coming off the water. I need to get away from him, from this crowd.

When I hit the banister at the edge of the balcony, I almost topple over it. Everything spins and my heart lurches in my chest. The ocean rushes up to meet me, the stars wheel overhead. And then I feel the cool stone gripped beneath my fingers, and it brings me back just enough to sink to my knees so I don’t fall over the edge. I sit and take big, gasping gulps of air, trying to calm down.

I’m still sitting there when Asher strides up.

“Zara! Are you okay?” He looks frantic and furious both, staring down at me on the stone tiles of the balcony.

“No…” I murmur, shaking my head. “Don’t you feel it?”

He nods, expression stern. “This is what I was afraid of. Vyrin is ancient, and the fae are known for their trickery…”

He stops mid-sentence as the subject of conversation saunters out onto the balcony to join us. “Are you feeling quite alright, dear?” Vyrin asks, grinning down at me. “Too much wine?”

Asher bristles and pulls me to my feet.

“I have just the thing for you two,” Vyrin continues. “The blood fae are having a little private party over in one of the antechambers… you must join the fun.”

“Zara’s not feeling up to more fun right at the moment,” Asher grinds out between clenched teeth.

“Nonsense,” Vyrin says with his wicked smile. “The night is young. I insist.”

Chapter Fourteen

ASHER

Vyrin grabs for Zara’s hand, as he had on the dance floor. But my head has cleared now, and whatever was muddling it before has passed. I step between him and Zara and pull her against me.

I’m imagining how it will feel to pull Vyrin apart slowly, limb by limb.

It’s clear he’s taken an interest in Zara, despite my attempts to downplay her importance. Which is exactly why I didn’t want anyone coming along on this journey with me. Most especially not Zara. I may not have a future with her, but I will protect her with my life. Which means I can’t go down like a martyr in this place, because that will leave her at Vyrin’s mercy.

I may have lost my magic and my city both, but I will not fail in this regard. I will see Zara safely back to Night, even if it takes my last breath.

But I’ll play Vyrin’s little game. For now.

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