Valkyrie's Sacrifice (Academy of Immortals 3)

“Chosen?” I repeat.

We’re like parrots trying to process everything.

“To be one of the Dark Lord’s companions for the night.”

Elizabeth gulps, and I try not to allow the anger to flow through my veins. It’s not this woman’s fault. I save the rage for later, for the one that deserves it, because there’s one thing that this Dark Prince hasn’t considered.

That one of the women in his harem is a Valkyrie, and I’ve handled wicked and cruel before.

“Do you think it’s Marshal?” Elizabeth asks suddenly. I have to admit the thought crossed my mind.

“If it is, he’ll love these outfits.”

They’re absurd. I tug at the top, which is nothing more than a red, beaded bikini revealing ample cleavage. The bottoms are covered by loose, sheer pants that cinch at the waist and ankles. Elizabeth’s are the same but cobalt blue.

“But I don’t know,” I continue. “I guess it’s possible that he didn’t leave on his own. Maybe he got placed here like the others?”

Is that my fault for not giving him a ring?

We’ve been waiting in a large chamber with a dozen other girls dressed similarly. Occasionally the older woman comes in and picks a girl. They’re all beautiful and young. A little bored. A girl with bright red hair sprawls on a couch nearby studying her shellacked nails.

“Any idea what we’re about to get into?” I ask her.

“With the Prince?” she asks, dragging her eyes over. “They take in about a half dozen girls a night. Court is fun—the food is amazing. All the royals are there and important guests. It’s better than sitting in here.”

“But what about…” Elizabeth asks nervously.

“The sex?” She swings her small, bare feet toward us and then leans forward. “I’ve never been with the Prince, thankfully. Seems like redheads aren’t his thing.” Her eyes flit over my blond hair and she gives me a look of sympathy. “But he’s not the only one with needs. His guests are often given a companion for the evening. Usually, that’s who I end up entertaining.”

Elizabeth pales and I get the feeling she is even more distressed about this situation than I am. The girl reaches out and squeezes her hand, “Don’t worry, dear, the wine is plentiful. It makes the night pass faster.”

Before we can ask more, the door opens and the woman that seems to be in charge stands in the doorway. She cuts her eyes at me and Elizabeth and says, “Follow me.”

“How does this work?” I ask once we’re in the hallway. I prefer to know as much as I can about what I’m getting into, especially since I’m not armed.

“You’ll sit across the room during dinner. Don’t speak—ever. You may eat and drink, but do not make a fool of yourself by overindulging.” She frowns at me. “If you’re blessed, the Dark Prince will choose you.”

Blessed seems like the wrong word if the rumor about this guy is right.

We’re led down a long corridor, the walls made of stone. It kind of feels like the Academy. The woman takes an abrupt turn and goes down another, narrower hallway. She stops at a door and says, “Sit with the other girls.”

I go first and grab Elizabeth by the hand. We walk into a magnificent, long dining hall. Down the middle is an expansive dining table. Right in the center I can see the top of a high back chair and the glint of a gold crown.

I don’t get a better look before we’re directed over to plush, velvet sofas, a spread of food on silver trays, and a few other women dressed similarly to me and Elizabeth. The heavy scent of incense clings to the air, and the fairy gasps at the same time I scan the faces of the girls—recognizing two of them.

The twins. Cora and Clara.

The raven-haired witches are in matching white beaded tops that pop against their dark skin. They face one another, seductively feeding each other ripe fruit. I wait for them to recognize us, but when they finally do look in our direction their expressions are blank.

“Come,” they both say in unison, patting the space between them, “sit with us.”

Elizabeth and I share a look before doing as we’re told, sitting between the twins on the sofa. I haven’t even fully sat down before the twin next to me starts combing her fingers through my hair and touching me gently. It takes me a minute to realize what’s going on, but I think she’s grooming me?

What the hell?

A strange energy rolls off the twins and I have to assume that it’s magic. Their magic? The magic of this place? Only the Gods or Lucifer himself would know.

Matching shiny gold charms hang from necklaces just above the twin’s breasts. Their names in script. I guess I’m not the only one unable to keep them straight. Cora is the one next to me, her hand running down my thigh. A quick glance reveals Clara planting small kisses down Elizabeth’s throat.