It’s all the noxious things I detected before, only a hundred times worse. If my vampiric sense of smell wasn’t so acute, I wouldn’t be so disturbed by it. I reach into my pocket and pull out a silk scarf that’s been doused in Ciel’s medicinal-smelling antiseptic.
I tie it around the lower half of my face, covering my mouth and nose. The sharp smell of herbs immediately cuts through the rancid stench, relieving my nausea.
I hear the baron inside; shifting around, muttering to himself.
I put the key in the lock, and turn.
Then I move, faster than he can possibly comprehend. I slam the door shut and dart across the room, grabbing the metal-and-glass lantern from its hook, shutting off the gas.
Shrouding us in perfect darkness.
All the better to unsettle him with.
Besides, I’m not in the mood to deal with explaining my changed appearance right now.
“Wh-who’s there?” Solisar hisses. He’s in bed, covered in rough grey blankets. He sits up and looks around wildly, blinking in confusion.
He can’t see a thing.
But I can see perfectly well in the darkness.
“Show yourself, bastard. How dare you ignore my requests? I demand that you take me to the archduke at once. Do you even understand what kind of punishment you’re risking by doing this to me? You’re breaking imperial law.”
How in the Seven Furies’ names is this man the father of Finley Solisar?
He’s nothing like her… and yet, I can see certain resemblances; in the shape of his brow, the curve of his nose, the line of his jaw
The physical similarities are there, but in all other respects, she’s nothing like this man at all.
I lean against the wall. “Well, it seems you’re in luck, Lucar Solisar.”
“Baron Solisar.” He sits up, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. “Ignorant fucking knave,” he mutters under his breath, unaware that I can hear him perfectly well.
I chuckle. “Why should I have to address you by title?”
“What are you—” He peers through the darkness, pale blue eyes narrowing. “You. I recognize your voice. You were the one that ordered me detained. Who are you?”
“Lucar, you aren’t into a position to demand anything. The sooner you realize that, the better things will go for you.”
His tone changes, becoming less demanding, more desperate. “Th-there must be a misunderstanding. If you would just allow me to speak with Archduke Duthriss, I’m sure this miscommunication can be overlooked.”
Irritation flickers. “What makes you so certain the archduke will look upon you favorably?”
“We’re of the peerage. Of course he will accommodate me.” Solisar leans forward in the darkness, his eyes glittering with ambition. “You’re making a grave mistake. Can’t you understand that my very own daughter is betrothed to His Highness? By personal agreement between me and the emperor himself. It was not too long ago that I was in the capital, finalizing the details of the arrangement with His Imperial Majesty. This detainment is ridiculous.”
My irritation turns to cold anger. “Both you and my father presume a lot.”
Solisar’s expression turns blank. “Your father?” Almost comically, he blinks several times. “You are him? The son? Impossible.”
The depth of my anger surprises me. In my mind’s eye, I see the blood on Finley’s lips where he hit her. Something inside me cracks open, giving way to a dark chasm. “You sent your daughter here,” I say quietly. “In the middle of winter, through lycan country, where bandits are known to frequent. The escorting party was inexperienced and unprepared. That’s why they’re dead now. It’s a miracle your daughter managed to survive. For that alone, Lucar, I should flay you alive. And then you have the gall to turn up at my gates unannounced, and you demand an audience with me?”
“My sons were missing,” the baron hisses. “Do you know what it feels like, knowing your heirs could be wounded or dead because of some foolhardy decision? They came after her. That’s how Finley manipulates them. She’s had them wrapped around her little finger for far too long.”
I peel off the wall and walk toward him. “If you have even a breath of sense in your body, you will refrain from speaking ill of my betrothed.”
The baron stands, his eyes wide in shock and disbelief. “Y-you can’t seriously—”
“You will treat her with the respect and courtesy she deserves, not only because she is to be my wife, but because she’s your daughter. You will not lay your hand upon her ever again, because if you do, I’ll fucking kill you.”
He shakes his head slowly. “Don’t toy with me. There’s no way you can be him. Corvan Duthriss is a master strategist. An intelligent man. He would not be so easily manipulated.”
Denial can be such a powerful thing.
He thinks Finley could manipulate me?
How could that gentle, exquisite creature manipulate anyone?
Everything I saw from her was real.
Kaithar might be good at reading people, but so am I.
My hand shoots out. I wrap my fingers around his pale, greasy neck and lift him up until his feet are dangling above the floor. Solisar writhes and struggles, his hands closing around my wrist, desperately clawing at me.
It’s no use.
He coughs and splutters as I start to choke him to death.
I feel his life flickering beneath my fingers. It would be so easy to end him, but I’ve made her a promise.
Please, don’t kill him.
How clever she is, to read the situation so well. To understand what I’m capable of.
To know not to fear me.
I let go.
Solisar collapses, wheezing and choking, clutching at his neck.
I squat down beside him. “I’ve killed better men than you for lesser reasons. I could end you now and bury you in the woods and none would be the wiser. Do you really think I’m worried about the consequences? I’m not afraid of my father, Lucar. You’ve served your purpose. You sent your daughter to me. That’s what he wanted. He isn’t going to give a shit about what happens to you now.”
“You…” His voice comes out a cracked whisper. “Are you insane? I have the emperor’s favor.”
He tries to rise to his feet.
I push him back down. He lands flat on his arse. “Sit down, Lucar Solisar. And listen very carefully, because I’m not going to repeat myself. I’m going to ask you some questions. You will answer me honestly and truthfully. Every time you lie or refuse to answer, you’re going to feel excruciating pain.”
“What are you—”
“First question. Why are you so disdainful toward your only daughter?”
“Wh-what are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about.”
“I-I’m only doing what any responsible father would do. Teaching her the boundaries of her station. Making sure she’s married off to a suitable husband. She’s headstrong. I blame myself. I shouldn’t have left her alone for long periods when the children were young.”
“Lucar, my patience is wearing very thin. I’m well aware that Dorava Solisar is not Finley’s birth mother. So. Why?”