“You may not believe this,” the Blood Queen said, her crown’s shine dulling as we entered an older part of Wayfair where only gas lamps and candles lit the halls, “but very few things pain me as greatly as his loss.”
“You’re right. I don’t believe you.” My fingers curled inward, pressing against my palms as we descended the wide, stone stairs. “You killed him. You didn’t need to, but you did. That was your choice, and he didn’t deserve that. He didn’t deserve to be Ascended.”
“He didn’t deserve to be granted a long life where he would not have to worry about sickness or injury?” Isbeth countered.
I choked out a harsh laugh. “A long life? You made sure that didn’t happen.” Feeling Millicent’s gaze on me, I relaxed my fingers. “I don’t want to talk about Ian.”
“It was you who brought him up.”
“That was a mistake.”
The Blood Queen went quiet as we entered the underground hall. Even belowground, the ceilings were high, the openings to other paths rounded and meticulously cleaned. It was eerily silent—not a whisper of sound. My gaze roamed ahead, following the seemingly endless rows of sandstone columns rising to the ceiling to where it wasn’t nearly as well lit, and shadows huddled at the edges of the columns. I could almost see myself now—much younger, veiled, and so very lonely as I crept down the hall.
Callum stopped, facing us. “We cannot allow you to see where we go. You will be blindfolded.”
I didn’t like the idea of being unable to see what any of them were doing around me, but I nodded. “Then do it.”
Millicent stepped behind me as quiet as any spirit. A heartbeat later, I could see nothing but darkness.
The path we took was a silent and confusing journey. Millicent held my arm, steering me along for what seemed like an eternity. It felt as if I were walking straight and then making constant, continuous turns. I had to applaud her skill because I had no hope of ever retracing our steps.
I had the spell, though. And based on the length of time we walked, I knew I couldn’t use it in the chambers under Wayfair. We had to be near or under the Garden District by the time Millicent stopped us, which meant we could possibly enter the tunnels via one of the Temples.
The air had grown colder, damp, and musty, sending a jolt of alarm through me as Millicent untied the blindfold. How could anyone be kept down here and be well? My heart sped up.
The cloth fell away, revealing Callum towering over me. Surprised, I took a step back, bumping into Millicent. The mustiness of the underground tunnels must’ve been strong to hide the sweet scent of decay. He was so close now, I saw a mole beneath the golden face paint, just below his right eye.
Callum smiled as his pale gaze tracked over my features—over the scars. “It must have hurt something terrible.”
“Do you want to find out?” I offered, and that closed-lip smile of his went up a notch. “You will if you continue standing so close to me.”
“Callum.” The Blood Queen spoke from behind us.
The Revenant retreated, bowing slightly. His smile remained, as did his unblinking stare. Holding his gaze for a moment longer, I quickly looked around. I saw nothing but damp stone walls lit by torches.
“Where is he?” I demanded.
“At the end of the hall to your left,” Callum answered.
I started forward.
“Penellaphe,” Isbeth called out, the sound of my name dripping from her lips hitting my nerves like Craven claws against stone. “I promised the safety of your men. How you behave next will determine whether or not that promise is kept.”
Her words…
A chill went down my spine as I slowly turned to her. Guards and Handmaidens surrounded her. Only Millicent stood off to the side, across from Callum. Isbeth’s words were a warning, not just for what she’d do, but what I would soon find.
The Primal essence thrummed just beneath the surface of my skin. A hundred different retorts burned the tip of my tongue, filling my mouth with the smoke of promised violence. But once more, I pulled on all those years of silence—no matter what was said or done. I swallowed the smoke.
“Casteel has never been a…pleasant guest,” she added, her dark eyes glimmering in the firelight. Guest? A guest? “And, unlike his brother, he has never learned how to make a situation easier for himself.”
A burst of acidic anger hit the back of my throat, coming in a sharp, quick punch from Millicent. Not for one second did I believe the emotion stemmed from talk of Casteel. It was the mention of Malik. Her reaction was curious, as was his when we’d been at Oak Ambler. I filed that all away as I turned from the Blood Queen. And I didn’t say anything as I walked forward. If I did, it would end badly.