Page 28 of Song of Night

I struggle against my captors, but a moment later there’s a sharp pain at the back of my head, and darkness sweeps in.

Chapter Eighteen

ZARA

I rise from unconsciousness kicking and swinging. But Vyrin is sitting on the other side of the room.

“There’s no need for panic, Zara,” he says, staring at me in amusement.

Now that Vyrin has made his intentions clear, and any kind of peaceful negotiations are off the table, I don’t bite my tongue as I have ever since we stepped foot in this place.

“You’ve abducted me and made it clear you intend to torture me and my companion while you wage war on our home.” My eyes lock onto his. “But I’m not panicking. I just have no intention of sitting back while you implement your plan.”

“I can certainly admire that,” Vyrin says. “Though, you’ve misread my intentions. I don’t plan to torture you. We’re going to have a discussion, after which I feel confident we’re going to come to an agreement.”

“You’re delusional if you think I’d agree to anything after what you just said in the throne room.” My fists clench and unclench at my sides.

“Then you’re not interested in saving the life of your lord and consort?” Vyrin raises both brows. “Surely you’ll at least hear me out. Have a seat.” He gestures for a chair not far from his.

I cross my arms over my chest. “I’ll stand.”

Vyrin shrugs. “You can paint me as the villain in this story if you wish. But you were not alive when it all began. I can taste your… newness.”

I fight to suppress the shiver his words send up my spine. How he knows my age, I don’t know. And the idea of him tasting anything of mine is repulsive.

“Your so-called Lord of Night and his father struck the first blow, all those centuries ago. They are the ones who shattered the peace between our realms. And they are the ones who stole the magic and walled themselves off from the rest of the world to keep it all to themselves.”

“We’ve already explained that was a terrible tragedy.”

“And I’ve already said I don’t believe you.” Vyrin taps his fingers on the arm of his chair in agitation. “I am the ruler of all this land, and my blood runs in the veins of all its inhabitants. Even yours, shadow witch. You are fae, same as I. You cannot deny your king.”

“Even if that’s true, it doesn’t mean we’re beholden to you,” I growl. “You can’t torture and kill just because you’re the king.”

Vyrin’s sharp laughter cuts the air. “Why, my darling, that’s exactly what it means to be king. I can do whatever I want to whomever I want whenever I want. That’s what it means to have power.”

“But you don’t have power, do you?” I’m playing a dangerous game, but I can’t stop now that I’ve started. My words cut as if I still had my daggers. “You said it yourself: you lost your magic. And that magic has become so bottled up it’s now tearing our city apart at the seams. There are few who can control it, and you’re planning to kill one of them.”

“Ahh, but he isn’t the only one who can wield the wild magic, is he?” Vyrin’s gaze locks on mine, deadly and dark as midnight. “That’s what I have you for.”

“You think I can wield it?” I scoff, trying to throw him off.

“I don’t think. I know.” Vyrin makes a gesture with one hand. “Really, Zara. I told you how ancient I am. How close I am to the magic. You think I can’t tell?”

“Then you should know you can’t kill Asher. You need both of us if you want to regain control of the magic.”

“Just because it took the two of you to wield it doesn’t mean that I cannot wield it alone.” Vyrin’s eyes burn into mine, cruel and predatorial. “I don’t need either of you. But you I will keep, until the end of your very long days. You are the ultimate tool of vengeance against the demon king’s son. Because he loves you, and you are now mine.”

Chapter Nineteen

ASHER

The guards drag me away from Zara. Fury and rage pump through my veins with such intensity it feels like I’ll burst into flames at any moment. Several times I break free, adrenaline surging, anger propelling me. I use the tiny glimmer of magic within me, managing to rip the souls from three of the guards, but then the other dozen are upon me.

I don’t realize I’ve been knocked unconscious until I awaken in a prison cell.

I am somewhere far beneath the castle. I can tell that much from the crash of waves against the walls, a sound that comes from above me. The air is damp and reeks of mold and decay. I am fairly certain someone is decomposing nearby. In the flickering of torchlight down the hallway outside my cell, I can see the bars of my small enclosure. I am alone.

The reality of the situation pounds against me like the waves against the cliff outside.

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