Tortured Royals (Game of Psychos #3)

Chapter 27

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

~ Princess Blake ~

W e enter the war room after Dad, and Nate whistles as he scans the ancient maps and weaponry attached to the walls. His gaze fixes on a massive mace with wicked spikes around the head of the weapon. “Reckon that would do some damage.”

“That was my grandmother’s favorite,” I reply via our mental connection. “Touch it, and Dad will likely cut your hand off.”

“Yeesh, I was only admirin’” Nate says.

In the center of the room, a dozen demon generals and advisors stand rigidly around a large circular table. They slam their fists to their chests and bow their heads as King Dalton passes, and Dad takes his place at the other end of the table. I stand beside him, and my mates follow my lead. With five mates, the area is crowded, and we’re all practically standing shoulder-to-shoulder.

Dante smiles at General Drazar who stands beside him. “Do me a favor and move over a touch will you?”

General Drazar’s nostrils flare, and his tail flicks showing his displeasure. “What is the Coilan clan leader doing here? Shouldn’t he be busy with his clan?”

“Or off burying his cock in someone, you mean,” General Kaldoth laughs from across the table.

“Well, I do appreciate your concern, general. Indeed, I would much rather be pleasuring my bonded mate, the princess, ” Dante replies smoothly.

The generals pale, and all eyes are glued to me and my mates.

“Enjoying yourself?” I say in my head to Dante.

His dark chuckle sounds in my mind. “Quite so.”

Alaric moves to Dante’s side, squaring up his shoulders and shoving General Drazar over to give himself more room.

The general glares at my assassin, but he shuffles a little to the right, accommodating him.

“You expect us to believe the princess has bonded with a Drozac assassin and four others?” General Kaldoth spits from across the table, his gaze sweeping over my mates. “One being an archangel prince?”

“It’s unnatural,” says another general.

I expect Dad to call for silence, or you know, threaten to cut someone’s tongue out, but when he doesn’t react, I realize he’s waiting for me.

“Shall I behead one of the pig-headed generals, my mate?” Mason asks me seriously.

“No, I’ve got this.” In a matter of seconds, I’m behind General Kaldoth with a blade pressed to the general’s throat. I let the knife cut in so blood streams down the general’s throat. It’s nothing he won’t heal from, but the general’s tail lashes the air, his eyes widening with fear. He tries to fight against me, but while I’d been strong before I bonded, now his attempt to free himself is pitiful. He soon realizes this, and his eyes bulge as he stills in my hold.

When he’s silent, I speak, projecting my voice out to the room. “Speak ill of my mates again, and you won’t be leaving this room alive.”

The demons around the table watch me warily, and the growl that comes from Nate makes the walls rattle, the ancient weapons nearly toppling from their hooks.

“Nice touch,” I send to my shifter.

“Knew you’d like that, gorgeous.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Releasing General Kaldoth, I retake my position by Dad’s side.

Amusement dances in the king’s eyes as he addresses the demons. “My daughter has indeed found her fated mates and bonded with these five. It is an unconventional matching, but one that’s a testament to Princess Blake’s power. The six of them may very well be the only reason the demons survive the upcoming war. No further ill comments will be tolerated.”

No one dares to speak, but I see the dissonance amongst the demons from their hard stares and stiff postures. They had a hard time accepting a half-blood as their princess, but accepting five mates from different realms? That’s a whole different challenge entirely. Still, no one says anything, and when they remain silent, Dad turns his attention to the 3D model of Seral city and the surrounding land spread on the table. Made from wood and carved stone, the intricate models rise above the table showing the winding stone streets and tall structures. My eyes skim over the largest clan houses, and the royal castle surrounded by thick stone.

Dad leans forward, bracing his hands on the table. “And if that’s settled, let us discuss the most pressing matter at hand. General Josek, will you do the honors?”

The ancient general steps up from Dad’s other side. “There have been two witch sightings not far from the castle in the past day. One was spotted a few streets away near Darston Alley, and another not far from the castle gates. The witches appeared to be scouting the area, but the moment they were detected, they escaped through portals before our soldiers could reach them. That brings the total witch sightings in the past week to twelve.”

Total witch sightings?

Dad nods his head, and General Josek steps back. The king’s gaze goes to me, and I stare down the generals. “We also recently discovered Ivar of the Fallon Blade clan was working with the witches in secret. The witches had supplied the demon leader with weaponry in exchange for information.” I pause before adding, “We have reason to believe the witches may attack the castle and soon.”

The room erupts as demons all start talking at once, shouting and theorizing.

“Why now?” General Drazar questions. For centuries, the witches have been silent, presumed all dead. “Why would they attack now?”

Dad meets my gaze and subtly shakes his head. Okay, no talking about the power. Got it.

“I believe the witches have been building their forces and planning this for some time. They want our power, and with the talk of my retirement and a power shift for the demons, they’ve clearly seized the opportunity and decided to move forward,” Dad answers simply.

The chatter continues until someone shouts. “Do we have any intel on the size of their forces? Will you call on the allied realms?”

Dad’s lips thin. “There’s no telling how large their forces are, but they’ve seen sizable numbers in Toralyn. And as of yet, none of the realms have replied to my call for aid.”

“Why would they come?” another general snarls. “After you drugged and slaughtered a number of their alphas. We’ll be fighting this war alone.”

Fury ignites in Dad’s eyes like an inferno set ablaze, and his massive throwing star is flying through the air a second later. The blade thuds as it buries into the wall on the opposite side of the room, the metal dripping with blood. The general’s eyes fill with fear, and he looks down at the deep gash on his right arm. The wound is already healing, but instantly, the room quietens.

“This is not a council to question my decisions,” the king seethes, his voice lethal and unforgiving. “You’re lucky I need you during this time of war. The witches are coming, and unless we band together, Seral will fall after all these years. We’re not here to scrutinize past actions, and I will not tolerate anyone questioning my authority. I am your king, and you will watch your tongue or die by my hand. Now, let us discuss how we can defend this city. The witches are here for our power, and right now this castle holds the largest power source in Seral.”

I hold my breath, wondering if Dad’s about to divulge the secret of the vault.

“There’s a vault far beneath the ground that holds…the horns of our ancestors,” Dad continues.

The air fizzles from me as disappointment wars with my frustration.

Dad keeps speaking. “Such power, harvested by the witches, would be devastating, and based on the pattern of witch sightings, it’s safe to surmise that their goal is to obtain the contents of the vault and seize the royal castle. There’s still no clear answer as to why the witches have attacked the angel realm, but I can only guess it was a ploy to distract the other realms and keep them out of the war with the demons. In any case, let’s discuss preparations.”