Lord King (The King)

It was the moment I truly saw King for the first time. Ruthless ruler. Unafraid of killing or death. Willing to do what no one else would if the outcome was worth it. King was an enigma, everything cold and cruel and kind all rolled into one. He was educated, well-read, and wise. But he was also so damned tainted by the world that none of it mattered.

“Judge all you like, Seer. Someday, you will have to fight, kill, and compromise everything you are to protect someone you love. You will not come out unscathed.”

“I never planned to live forever anyway.”

“Not to worry, nothing truly lasts forever. And my time will soon be up, which is why I will once again mention I am leaving you everything I own—money, homes, cars, books, and—”

“I don’t want them.”

He leaned into the window, invading my personal space. I loved and hated having him so close. He smelled amazing—like clean ocean air with a hint of old-world spices. Flowers, cinnamon, exotic herbs, and citrus.

“Why not?” he asked.

Did he really need to discuss this now? Victor was inside that marina. We came here to kill him not chat.

“Victor will not be easy to kill. Which is precisely why we must discuss my assets before I go in.”

“You can’t die,” I pointed out.

“Not entirely true. I do not have the ability to end my life. That does not mean there isn’t a way to break the Seers’ curse. Who knows what sorts of objects Victor has in his possession?”

So, basically, King believed there were objects in this world that could break the bond anchoring his soul to me. If that happened, he would be reunited with his evil soul and free to die. I wonder what sorts of objects can do that.

“Regrettably, the sort I do not possess,” King replied, “but I assure you I have many priceless treasures, and I want you to have them. Compensation. Not enough, I know, but it is all I can do. Victor should have been put to death long before he crossed paths with your mother. The organization I created protected him.”

Dammit! Why couldn’t King stick to his script and be a cutthroat asshole? Maybe then I might break his spell over me. Instead, he was showing remorse and kindness. I hate this.

“Hate it all you like,” he said, his voice low and stern, “but take the offer.”

“Thanks,” I said, “but if it includes your creepy warehouse, I don’t want anything to do with your estate.” His warehouse was full of insane, seriously dangerous stuff—plants that watched as you walked the aisles; human heads in jars, screaming for mercy; jewelry with supernatural powers; ancient weapons; cursed antiques; and poisons of every kind.

“Do not forget my lucky rabbits’ feet,” King said dryly, mocking my disdain for his collection. “I make a killing on Etsy.”

Haha. “I’ve been in your warehouse, so I’m pretty sure nothing lucky would survive in there.”

“Wrong again. However,” he removed himself from the window and began tucking in his shirt, “I have already destroyed any items that are too dangerous to be released in the world. Part of my penance.”

Good to know. “So did you finally release the heads from their watery prisons?”

“No.”

Jesus. “What are you waiting for?”

“They were rapists and human traffickers from hundreds of years ago. As far as I’m concerned, they can remain in those jars for eternity.”

“On second thought, the heads are great right where they are.” Rot away, stupid heads.

“Unfortunately, the ancient Seers have been very explicit in their instructions. I must erase my footprint from the world, so the heads will have to go. Eventually.”

“I’ll ask if they can make an exception,” I said. “And, yes, I’ll get the ring from my dad. As for Victor—”

“He knows I am coming for him, Jeni, and if he sees an opportunity to use you as leverage to distract me, he will.”

“Are you actually pretending you’re worried about my safety?” I chuckled bitterly.

He shook his head. “Your choices are to stay here in the car or not stay in the car, but you are not going into the marina with me.” King’s expression suddenly shifted, like a switch was thrown. His pale gray eyes became menacing and cold. His jaw tightened. The air around him filled with a dark energy. It didn’t scare me, I’d seen this side of him before, but it was a stark reminder of who King truly was. Dangerous.

“If I am able to safely incapacitate Victor,” King said, “I will come to get you so that you may personally witness his skull being crushed. All right?”

“Does it make me a bad person for hoping your offer comes with some dismemberment, too? Maybe a little eye plucking? Testicle removal?”

King shook his head. “Your humor is beyond me.”

Who said I was joking?

“If I’m not back in ten minutes, leave.” He turned and strode off in his black jeans, black T-shirt, and boots, looking the part of the merciless, deadly King I knew. “Stay in the fucking car, Seer!” he called out, in one final warning.