Chapter 24

“Bow? You’re kidding, right? Why would I ever bow to the likes of you? Are you my king? My master? You...” I spat at his feet. “You are nothing to me.”

My defiance earned me three days of confinement in a little white cell. No food. No water. I was chained to the corner, while the thick metal bars of my cage separated me from the doorway.

On the second day, I woke with a start to utter darkness. And though the silence would indicate otherwise, I wasn't alone. He was back. There in the shadows. I could feel his presence. Feel his eyes on me. Staring, always staring.

“Come into the light, Luc.”

“Said the spider to the fly.” He spoke from the shadows.

I smiled a little. “How the mighty have fallen. From Hero to Villain with no stops in between. I'm unbelievably sad for you. And for me. Every villain prays for an opponent worthy of her villainy.”

“And am I worthy, Venus?” He stepped from the darkness into view. Scruffy, his eyes a shade darker, and rings denoting lack of sleep. Wearing the uniform, a white lab coat and that smile.

I'd come to hate that smile. Hated the way his voice was still so soothing. Hated the way I felt so comfortable with him, even knowing he was the enemy. I hated it. I hated him. And he needed to die.

I’d made up a kill list, and it grew longer by the day. But now I was bumping him up to the top. And when he handed me a bowl and said he’d managed to sneak me some cereal, I mentally added his name to the kill list four more times.

“I’m watching my carbs,” I lied. I avoided looking at the food in fear my stomach might give me away. “Why are you here? Have you come to gloat or grovel?”

He seemed antsy. Distracted. But he didn’t answer.

“Where’ve you been hiding anyway? Seducing new recruits? Luring unsuspecting witches with your brown-eyed, candied charm? Like Hansel and Gretel in reverse.”

“Exams,” he answered.

I choked out a laugh. “Exams.” I nodded. “Of course. What could be more important for an abductor than getting a solid grade point average.”

He flinched and rubbed a hand across his furrowed brow. “I'm not your abductor, Venus.”

“You're not exactly my savior, are you?”

His eyes tangled with mine. Then he snapped out of it. Crossing the small space in a few steps, he grabbed hold of my shoulders and shook me once. Hard.

“You think you know things, but you have no idea what's happening here. Do us both a favor. Just do as they say. Do what they tell you to do. If you don't, you're not going to survive this. None of you will.”

My eyes widened as he let go and retreated to the door.

“Wait. You can't say things like that and run.”

The door clanged shut, and the lock clicked in place. I darted to the bars, but the chain around my ankle couldn't quite reach them. Aftereffects of clawing at Peterson when he stood too close to my cage.

“Luc, what does that mean? What are they planning?” I shouted. But he was gone. Disappeared down the mystery corridor beyond my captivity.

I added his name to my mental kill list another twelve times. If he kept it up much longer, his name would be the only one on it.

On the third day the door opened, but it wasn’t Luc smuggling me breakfast. There was still no food for me at all. Only Peterson, with his glib, smug, detesting smile. No, Luc would never be the only name on my list. Not while this man drew breath. "You’ve had three days to reconsider your position, Venus. I hope that was time enough to see the error of your ways.”

I’d had three days.

Three days to imagine the ways I’d cut them all down. First Luc, then Greenbalm, then Peterson, and I’d save Callum for last.

Three days to ponder Greenbalm’s words. Every last one of them, including the part about using me to convey a message.

But more importantly, I’d had three days to wonder what he wanted in exchange for my return trip home. I was long past the time I was due back. Oberon would be aware of my escape and would be on the warpath. If Zanthiel had any sense, he’d be leagues from the Shadow Court by now. Though, if Oberon got to him first, it might spare me the full brunt of his wrath.

Three long days.

So now, standing here in a boardroom, in front of the exiled Prince Greenbalm—who was dressed in formal human attire and perched in his armchair-throne—I was more than eager to hear what he had in store. But, not that eager.

Greenbalm’s patience had worn thin. “I said kneel witch.”

Heavy steps approached from behind, and a hand grabbed the back of my neck. I had no time to see who had me before I was slammed to the ground. Pain sliced through my face as it met the concrete floor and light splintered my vision. Every inch of me ached. If I could free even one hand from this entrapment, I'd reach for the guard’s blade and sever their heads before they could call for help. They'd be kneeling on the floor cowering to me.

“You are a subject of the MBD, and you will address Prince Greenbalm appropriately. With respect.” Callum’s black-booted foot came down on my back hard, pressing my face back into the gritty floor. Tears of pain welled up against my will.

“Now that’s a more appropriate posture.” Callum bent to whisper in my ear. “Genuflecting would suffice, but I admit, there’s something satisfying about seeing you prostrated at his feet.”

The man I'd been forced to bow to must have motioned for Callum to back off because his boot lifted off my back and he repositioned himself next to Greenbalm.

“Venus.” Greenbalm spoke amicably, in a way that knotted my stomach. “This method isn’t working, for either of us. Instead, I think we should talk.”

I pushed to my feet, desperately ignoring the burning in my arms from where they'd bound me.

Standing, I stared at him. Everything about his stature implied importance. Royalty. He had his brother’s blood, the King of the Elves, to help him command with such loyalty and brute force, yet he looked so... human, now that he was without his powers. There was no shortage of ways to make a human die. And I wanted him dead. I wanted them both dead. But more than that, I wanted answers. What did they want? Why was I brought here? And what was the message they planned to send me home with?

The head of the MBD moved closer as I straightened and ran my bound hands over the dirt-stained gown I’d been stuck in for days.

“Are you ready to hear the terms of my offer?”

“That depends,” I said. “What have you got in mind?”

His eyes narrowed a little. “I asked you first. It is polite to respond to a question before asking another,” he said slowly.

I took a breath, prepared to fire a slew of not-so-pretty words at him, including where he could shove his question, when Callum put a hand on my shoulder.

“He asked you a question. You best not be rude and answer it, witch.”

“Call me that one more time, and I’ll show you just how rude I can be,” I said under my breath.

I might have been without powers, but I was far from defenseless. One did not survive in the Nevermore without learning the art of battle. And spending a great deal of time with an Elvin Knight and a Shadow Fey— Three moves and I could have him on his knees and his own blade pressed against his master's throat, even in my shackles. Okay, I was rusty... maybe four moves.

He tightened his grip momentarily, but then released me.

Greenbalm spoke up. “There is no need to force her into submission. It is her very wild and reckless nature that makes her the perfect messenger for our cause.”

“Okay, let’s begin there then,” I said. “What is this cause, and what is your message?” I gave a forced smile.

“I think it’s best if we not delve into the messier parts of our plans for you. Let's instead focus on more pleasantries. Trust me, Venus, there will be plenty of the opposite soon enough.”

“Should I put her in place, sir?” Callum moved forward as he spoke. Now he was directly in front of me, his body turned to address his master.

Big mistake. In a blink I lunged forward, wrapping my arms around his throat, and pressed my shackles into his Adam’s apple with all my force.

He bucked like a wild stallion, but I held fast, tightening my grip until he was gasping for breath.

Greenbalm merely watched, stretching out his legs with a look of pure boredom. He didn’t make a move to stop me. At least not at first. It wasn’t until Callum had withered to his knees, his face red and bloated, that he finally rose.

A sad smile tugged at the corners of his pretty lips. “That’s enough, Venus. If you kill him, then you cease to be of any use to me at all. And the magic you so desperately want to be freed will never have a chance to flow through those veins... before they are pulled from your corpse.” He said it in a tone full of remorse. “Please. You could be of so much more use to us alive.”

I lessened the pressure on Callum’s throat, but didn't let him go, because quite frankly, choking him was the most satisfying experience I’d had in some time.

“Free my magic. Why would you do that when you’re all about stripping away magic?”

He gave a nod, meeting my gaze in earnest. “Make no mistake. You will use that magic to serve me. But you will have some freedom, and in time, we will come to trust one another.”

Magic. Coursing through my veins after such a long time. My mouth actually began to salivate as my stomach made its immense hunger known. With a heavy sigh, I lifted my tethered hands from the thug’s throat and over his head.

He gasped and coughed, hands at his neck, but he remained on his knees for a few moments before staggering to his feet. His first impulse was to lash out and strike me. He swung his arm back, but Greenbalm stopped him.

“Perhaps you would rather she completely collapse your windpipe next time?” He arched his brows. “You may leave us.”

“But, sir...” His voice was coarse and raspy, and I didn’t even try to hide my smirk. His master gave him a pointed look, and he shuffled toward the door, throwing me a scathing glare as he passed.

I answered with a broad smile.

And then there was one.

I was alone with the unarmed man who'd all but told me he could neither fight nor wield magic. And yet, he had information. Information I could desperately use.

The door opened and Luc entered. It took more restraint than I naturally had at my disposal not to do to him what I’d done to Callum.

He avoided my gaze as he wheeled in a small dining cart, full of assorted sandwiches, a carafe of coffee, and a tray of colorful donuts. He set up the table, pulled up two chairs and then scurried from the room just as my tenuous grip on my fury was about to give way.

“Please. You must be hungry.” Greenbalm gestured for us to sit.

I was ravenous, though leery. But once I was seated in front of the mouthwatering food, I rationalized that he’d hadn’t killed me yet, so the likelihood of him trying to poison me was slim.

I took a few bites of a smoky ham and cheese sandwich on a crusty bread and swallowed. Then, narrowing my gaze, I studied my captor.

“Why would I help you?”

“Because you want something only I can offer you.”

“My magic can be restored to me via many means—” I took another bite, “—none of which involve cooperating with kidnappers.” I shifted my weight and leaned forward.

He remained where he was, but the smirk in his olive eyes showed he did not consider me nearly as threatening as he should. Which meant one of two things. He was an idiot, or he was hiding something. He didn’t look like an idiot.

“You want much more than your magic, Venus. Yes, you want your powers back and your freedom back, but I’d wager there is something you value even more than those.” He held back a smug look. “You want your family back. And you want the love of your life back.” He flicked his hand. “I mean back with you, that is. Poor analogy, but I think you catch my meaning. Magic. Freedom. Your mother. And your lover. You can have them all.”

I narrowed my eyes. Perhaps I’d been mistaken... Looks can be deceiving, but he had to be an idiot if he thought I’d buy into something so ludicrous. Everything pouring from his lips sounded impossible.

I cocked my head to the side and smiled. “And how can you, a mere nothing mortal, possibly bring all of that about? Do you have some sort of genie in a bottle to grant three wishes?”

He rose abruptly, the smile fading from his eyes. “It’s four wishes, actually. And I don’t need a genie. What I have is far more powerful.”

He walked around the table and stood behind me. He rested a hand on my shoulder.

A shiver traced over my skin. He was hiding something; whatever that something was, it was powerful. There was an energy to him. I could sense it.

“All I’m asking for is your help. You assist me in a small matter, one that requires the subtle manipulation of some rather unwilling parties. Silence their protests.”

I frowned, spinning in my seat to face him. “Do you mean silence them or kill them? Cause there’s a fundamental difference between the two.”

He lifted one shoulder lightly. “I’m partial to the method that gets results.”

“And how many of these parties do you need my help with exactly?”

“Only seven. And you’ll find most, once they see your powers, will give in without a fight.”

“And the rest?”

“Well, as I said, I expect results. You do this, and this is all. I’ve no desire to hold you here indefinitely against your will, Venus. And as I said, I need for you to return to your world.”

It was clear to me, from his touch alone, that any plans I had to take him out would fail. He had the gift of sight. I couldn’t quite place the origins of his power, but they were there, subtle yet mighty. Any move I would make, he’d see coming, and I’d be dead before I could strike. This man was dark. It all but poured out of him, pooling at his feet like inky shadows.

“One and done.” I nodded, shifting my gaze to the floor.

Agreeing to what he requested would turn me into their weapon. This wasn’t emancipation. I’d be trading one form of servitude with another.

Everything that was sane and sound and reasonable screamed Run. Fight. Do something to free yourself from his grasp. Anything but agree to work with him.

But he’d touched on the only things I had left that mattered to me. I did want my freedom. I wanted my magic back. I wanted my family, broken as it was…and I wanted Adrius. If he could grant me these things, then would it not be every bit more insane, unsound, and unreasonable to refuse?

With my hands still cuffed, I reached for my sandwich and finished it. Then grabbed a double chocolate donut with orange sprinkles.

The bargain I struck with Zanthiel settled in my mind like a ticking time bomb as I ate. I had precious little time left before things fell apart. Without magic, I’d be back in Oberon’s cell waiting for him to deliver his punishment and possible death sentence. Biological father or not, I didn’t know Oberon, and I certainly didn’t trust him. I’d no idea what he was capable of once he found out I’d deceived him.

Greenbalm walked to his desk, opened a drawer, and returned to where I sat. He stepped forward, a silver key dangling from his fingers. Rough hands grasped my forearms, pulled me out of my chair.

First my hands were uncuffed. I blinked up at him in startled confusion.

A split second later the shackle suppressing my magic clamored to the floor. The sound echoed around us, fading until there was nothing but silence. Then we stood there in the quiet, facing one another. Each one waiting to see what the other would do next.