Chapter 42 The Bargaining
Amara’s POV
As if sensing a terrible event was imminent, the wind howled.
The sharp black stones underfoot were glimmering dimly as Kian and Rowan stood between us at the edge of the Obsidian barrier. Thick and heavy, magic glistened in the air. It crawled over me like smoke with claws, pressing on my skin.
I said, "She's here."
A shadow emerged from the haze in front of them before they could react. The fog gradually cleared, and Lilith appeared—stout, lovely, and menacing. Her eyes were piercing and silver, and they met mine squarely as her long, dark robe fluttered behind her as if it had its own will.
Softly, she said, "Hello, little heir." Like poison, her voice slithered over the trees.
Kian suddenly moved in front of me, his body tensed. "You're displaying courage here."
Lilith smiled. "Oh, Kian. Always such a showman.” She swallowed a little. "Rowan. I notice you're still brooding."
Rowan did not recoil. "What are you looking for? "
She came to a halt just past the border's flashing stones. She would activate the safety barriers the Council had erected days prior if she took one more step.
Lilith stated, "I came to offer a deal."
Kian gave a sour laugh. "A bargain? Two nights ago, you sent your shadows to kill us. Amara almost lost her life."
Lilith's look returned to me. Nevertheless, she is standing here. More powerful. Smarter. All set.
"I'm not yours," I yelled, avoiding Kian. Despite my thumping heart, I remained upright. "Not right now. Never."
Her head was cocked. "Child, are you certain about that? "
“State your terms, Witch, or turn around and disappear,” Kian's voice boomed behind me.
Lilith clasped her hands in front of her. "Calm. I give it to you. A pact between your realm and mine. No more attacks by shadows. No more fatalities."
Rowan's eyes narrowed. "For what? "
Slowly, she smiled. "Amara."
Kian reached for his sword. "Over my corpse."
Lilith remained motionless. "That can be set up."
"You're crazy," I responded, trembling. "What makes you want me at all? How does this benefit you? "
Lilith moved in closer, pausing just short of the border. In protest, the magical barrier buzzed.
"Amara, you don't realise how much you are. You are descended from ancient people. A key. A curse. A remedy.” Her tone grew icy. "I put an end to the war with you. It goes on without you until everything you hold dear burns."
"After that, burn," Kian snarled.
Lilith smiled back. "Avoid hurrying. Consider your folks. Your Council is priceless. Her eyes sparkled, "Your mates." "Consider the child."
I gasped.
"What were you saying?" Rowan stepped forward and asked.
Lilith laughed and averted her look.
Over her shoulder, she whispered, "Take a look at what I have to offer." “You have three days. Then, whether she wants to or not, I take her."
Her cloak swirled as she started to disappear into the mist.
She halted, though, and took one final glance back.
She said, "I always collect my debts."
Then—she disappeared.
The silence Lilith left behind was like a scream as she vanished into the fog. Kian paced in close, irate circles while muttering curses. Rowan's gaze was fixed on the spot where she had disappeared, his mouth tightening like a stone statue.
I touched my stomach and said, "She knows."
Rowan immediately turned to face me. "She has no solid knowledge of anything. She's playing a bluff. Putting us to the test."
Kian gave a headshake. Even though she's bluffing, she's approaching too closely. She is observing us. Paying attention
In an attempt to quiet the raging storm inside my chest, I stroked my arms. I said, "Three days." "We had three days," she said.
Kian yelled, "We're not giving her anything."
"I am aware of that," I said, looking him in the eye. "But we need to be intelligent."
"We are intelligent," he snarled. This is the reason we murdered her before the allotted three days had passed.
And launch a conflict that we might lose? Rowan's voice was quiet and deadly. "You are aware of her abilities. We must have a strategy."
Kian spat, "We can't bargain with a monster."
"I don't say we do," Rowan answered. However, it buys us time if we act as though we are. Time to fortify the wards. Get the civilians to move. Be ready for anything she has planned.
Kian clenched his hands. "Do you want us to comply? "
"That's right," Rowan responded. We pretend to be thinking about her offer. Continue her conversation. Keep her preoccupied.
It appeared that Kian was going to argue, but I intervened. "He's correct."
Both of them looked at me.
"These three days are used by us. We don't freak out. We don't argue with her. We pretend to be scared, as if we're delaying because we're tempted," I remarked. "She will become overconfident as a result."
Kian gave a quick exhale. "This is not to my liking."
I said, "None of us do." However, she might slide if she senses my fear. Perhaps she will approach sufficiently for us to attack.
Rowan gave a slow nod. "And we don't give her any reason to believe it if she is aware of the baby."
My palm protectively wrapped around my stomach.
Kian took a step toward me and covered my hand with his. She refuses to touch you. I promise.
"I understand," I said. "But if we jump in headfirst, we can't protect everyone."
Rowan took a step back. After that, it's resolved. We act as though we are negotiating. I'll contact the Elders and the Council. If this goes wrong, we'll need their assistance.
Kian nodded after appearing to want to hit something or someone.
"All right," he whispered. However, as soon as she crosses that border.
"She won't," I blurted out. "Not just yet."
"Are you sure about that?" he asked, glancing at me. "
No. I wasn't. Not by any means. I couldn't allow them to see that, though.
I raised my chin. She's looking for something. She will therefore wait.
Rowan turned in the direction of the castle. "I'll get things ready."
Kian put his arms around me from behind and vanished into the trees. He spoke softly.
"Amara she doesn't understand you. I'll start by destroying the entire globe."
I leaned in close to him. "Hopefully, that won't be the case."
However, a chill crept into my bones from deep within.
Because her voice, whispering like a curse on the wind, was still audible to me.
"I always get my money back."