Somewhere in the library, Allyson cried out in fear, and my heart sank. Please be quiet. Please. Please. Grady shoved one of the heavy drapes aside, and then we were quickly enveloped in the dark, stale air of the cramped space as the drape settled back in place.
Grady held me tight to him as I stared through the gap between the curtains, my entire body shaking. It was no more than an inch, but it felt like we stood completely exposed as the ni’meres flew through the library. Books fell, one by one, hitting the floor, and I jumped. Each time, I jumped.
A louder crash came seconds later, sounding like an entire row of heavy bookcases toppling over. Silence followed, and then . . .
Slow, steady footsteps.
Then quiet.
Seconds ticked by as I strained to hear any sound. Minutes. There was nothing. Did the ni’meres leave? Wouldn’t we—
“There’s no reason to hide,” a Hyhborn said, and my body flashed hot then cold. I hadn’t forgotten that voice. It was Lord Samriel. “I will not harm you.”
Grady made no move to come up. Neither did I.
“Come out,” Lord Samriel called, his tone gentle and coaxing. “You will be safe if you do.”
I reached up, curling my fingers around Grady’s sleeve, wishing I hadn’t sheathed the lunea blade. I wasn’t sure what I’d do with it. Then again, I hadn’t expected being able to use it before, but I didn’t dare breathe too deeply or make any other movement. Not even as the air turned frigid around us.
“Please don’t hide from me.” Lord Samriel’s voice was drawing closer. “We want to help you.”
We?
Through the gap in the curtain I saw a ni’mere land on one of the bookcases, its back to us as it stretched out its massive wings. Its head twisted from side to side in the quiet.
Then I heard a soft, trembling voice call out, “You . . . you promise?”
The ni’mere’s head swiveled to the right as I jerked forward. Grady’s arms tightened around me.
“Don’t,” he whispered in my ear.
Heart sinking, I shuddered. I told her to hide— not to come out. Why hadn’t she listened? I wanted to scream at her, but I couldn’t. I knew that, but my entire body strained against Grady’s hold.
“Of course. I promise,” Lord Samriel assured, his voice so syrupy it dripped poisonous sugar. “Come on— ah, there you are.”
No. No. No.
The ni’mere shook out its wings, a cruel, bloody smile twisting its lips.
“That’s not her,” another voice answered, one both Grady and I recognized. Hymel. What was he doing here, with them? Hymel was a bastard, but he couldn’t be involved in this.
There was a heavy sigh and then Lord Samriel said, “Kill it.”
It.
Kill it.
Allyson. Her. Not it. Her.
“Stop,” another voice intruded, one that was colder, flatter.
The ni’mere listened, tucking its wing back as it strained from where it was perched on the bookcase.
“You said it was here.” The unknown male spoke again. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive,” Hymel answered, and my stomach hollowed. I had never heard him sound so scared. “I saw her run with Allyson. She has to be in here, Your Highness.”
I suddenly understood why Hymel sounded so afraid, because that man he spoke to was a prince. Was it Prince Rainer? But why would he be here when his Court burned?
Grady stiffened behind me. They were . . . they were talking about me. My thoughts raced, a mess of confusion and fear.
“Then we shall see,” the Prince said.
Suddenly, Allyson’s scream ripped through the air, high-pitched and terrifying. I jerked forward, knees nearly collapsing. Grady held on, keeping me standing.
“Shush now,” the Prince ordered, that voice of his almost gentle if not for the iciness, and Allyson’s screams ended in a soft sob.
Then there was . . . there was just the sound of my heart pounding.
“I’m going to give this lovely creature a chance,” the Prince said, and through the curtains, I could see the ni’mere twist its head back and forth. “And I’m going to give you a choice.” There was a pause. “Lis.”
I went rigid against Grady, heart pounding. I could barely get enough air into my lungs.
“Come to me, and she will not be harmed,” the Prince said. “Don’t?”
There was a crack. A deafening, sickening snap.
Allyson’s sharp, pain-filled scream pierced the air. My entire body jerked.