The Omega slowed behind the Hind, but continued to creep closer.
“Say nothing,” Cormac warned them as the wave skimmer slowed, engine quieting.
And then the Hind was there, in her impeccable imperial uniform, black boots shining with water. Not one hair on her golden head lay out of place, and her face was the portrait of cruel calm as she said, “What a surprise.”
None of them said a word.
The Hind slung one of her lean legs over the wave skimmer so she sat sidesaddle, and braced her elbows on her knees. Put her delicate chin in her hands. “This is the fun part of my job, you know. Finding the rats who nibble away at the safety of our empire.”
Such a dead, hateful face. Like she was a statue, flawless and carved, brought to life.
The Hind nodded to Bryce, though. Her red lips curved upward. “Is that little light for me?”
“Come closer and find out,” Bryce said, earning a warning look from Hunt. What was he waiting for?
But the Hind surveyed Tharion. “Your presence is … troublesome.”
The water around him thrashed, roiled by his magic, but the mer kept silent. For some reason, he hadn’t yet shifted. Was it some attempt to remain unrecognized for what he was? Or maybe a predator’s instinct to hide one of his biggest assets until he could strike?
But the Hind sized up Tharion again. “I’m glad to see the River Queen’s Captain of Intelligence is indeed smart enough to know that if he used his power to do something stupid like overturn this wave skimmer, my companions would unleash Hel upon all of you.”
Tharion’s teeth flashed. But he didn’t attack.
Then the Hind met Ruhn’s stare, and all that he was diluted to pure, lethal rage.
He’d kill her, and do it gladly. If he could get on that wave skimmer before Tharion, he’d rip out her throat with his teeth.
“Two Fae Princes,” the Hind purred. “Crown Princes, no less. The future of the royal bloodlines.” She clicked her tongue. “Not to mention that one of them is a Starborn heir. What a scandal this shall be for the Fae. What shame this will bring.”
“What do you want?” Hunt challenged, lightning skittering over his shoulders. Bryce twisted toward him with alarm, and Ruhn tensed.
Athalar’s power glowed along the tops of his wings, twining in his hair. Each breath seemed to summon more of it, keeping it well above the waves’ reach. Readying for the strike.
“I already have what I want,” the Hind said coolly. “Proof of your treachery.”
Bryce’s light shimmered and built, rippling into the depths below. And Hunt … If he unleashed his power, he’d electrocute all of them.
Ruhn said to his sister, mind-to-mind, Get on that wave skimmer and run.
Fuck that. Bryce slammed her mind shut to him.
The Hind reached into her pocket, and the lightning above Athalar flared, a whip readying to strike whatever gun the deer shifter possessed. Still he didn’t give the signal.
But the Hind pulled out a small white stone. Held it up.
She smiled slightly at Cormac. “I showed one of these to Sofie Renast before she died, you know. Made this same demonstration.”
Died. The word seemed to clang across the water. The Hind had truly killed her, then.
Cormac spat, “I’m going to rip you to pieces.”
The Hind laughed softly. “From where I’m sitting, I don’t see much chance of that.” She extended her arm over the water. Her slim, manicured fingers splayed, and the stone plunged. It left barely a ripple on the waves as it fluttered down, down, down, shimmering white in Bryce’s light, and then vanishing into the deep.
“Long way to the bottom,” the Hind observed dryly. “I wonder if you’ll drown before you reach it.” The Omega-boat surged closer.
“Choose wisely,” the Hind crooned. “Come with me,” she said to Hunt, to Bryce, “or see what the seafloor has to offer you.”
“Get fucked,” Hunt seethed.
“Oh, I plan to, once this is done,” she said, smiling wickedly.
Hunt’s lightning flickered again. Glowed in his eyes. Shit—Athalar was walking a fine line of control.
Bryce murmured Hunt’s name in warning. Hunt ignored her, but Tharion cursed softly.
What is it? Ruhn asked the male, who didn’t look his way as Tharion replied, Something big. Gunning for us.
Not the Omega-boat?
No. It’s … What the fuck is it?
“Hurry now,” the Hind drawled. “Not much time.”
Lightning wrapped around Hunt’s head. Ruhn’s heart stalled a beat as it lingered—like a crown, making of Hunt an anointed, primal god. Willing to slaughter any in his path to save the female he loved. He’d fry every single one of them if it meant getting Bryce out alive.