Chapter 12
Acheron
"We need a sample of her DNA, my King. A hair follicle or saliva.”
My patience was wearing thin, especially now that I had been dragged away from Alice. I longed to ensure her safety; to watch her retreat back into her warm house, out of the night air. To ensure that her hapless human partner would not attempt to seduce her again.
The fool.
I could still feel the burn from the heat of her eyes on me. She knew I was there. She could sense me, even under the cloak of night. Even if she did not understand what was happening—her soul knew.
But my desire to protect her from Vladimir and the BloodKin was stronger. I had instructed my Elders to inform me immediately of any new developments they uncovered, no matter how trivial.
My shrewd stare surveyed my Elders with a stern frown, noting their evasive gazes and stiff postures.
I had been hounding them daily for details regarding Alice's bond to me; for any piece of knowledge they had regarding her connection to the Otherworld and how it was possible for a human to be a King's fated mate.
Impatience lanced through me at being kept in the dark.
I narrowed in on Hammon, the one who had requested a specimen from Alice. I did not like having to deceive my mate, yet I knew the demand was made for a vital reason.
“What is it? What have you learned?” I could feel the discomfort and worry bleeding from him.
Hammon and Henk exchanged glances, their expressions still masked. “It could be nothing,” Hammon slowly started.
A growl of displeasure escaped me. I detested ambiguity. “Do not waste my time. What have you learned?”
Hammon took a nervous breath before stepping forward, his hands clasped behind his back. "Elder Amos has shared some…interesting information with us."
My brow furrowed further at his reveal. Amos was one of the three Elders from Ameros, King Damon’s Territory.
Elders usually sought permission from their King before sharing information between Territories, in case a war broke out.
We could not allow our Kingdom to be open to vulnerabilities that could be used against us.
At present, we have all co-existed peacefully for hundreds of years—yet that did not mean we had to remain complacent.
“King Damon is aware of this?”
At Hammon’s nod, I made a rolling motion with my hand. “Stop talking in riddles and tell me.”
He cleared his throat, hesitating briefly before continuing. “Until recently, we were under the impression that all records during King Artemis and Queen Sarai’s reign were destroyed when their rule was overthrown.”
I nodded slowly. “Yes, everything was destroyed when they and their children were killed,” I acknowledged.
“It is true that an intentionally lit fire destroyed the south wing, where Ameros kept their records. However, there were rumors—unfounded at the time, may I add—that a few crucial scrolls were smuggled out.”
Shock rocked my core as my stare bounced between my three Elders.
Even though King Artemis and Queen Sarai’s murders were caused by Vladimir and his followers, it was a common suspicion that they had acquired inside help.
The fire had been deliberately lit; the wing struck first before the royal family was murdered.
Knowing now that important documents may have been saved led me to more questions than answers.
Who had the foresight to save them? Where were they now, and what were their contents?
“These rumors…they are no longer unfounded?'
“I am afraid that is all the information we have at present,” Styro added, regret etched in his voice. "However, we are working with Elder Amos and Elder Isa to uncover the truth.”
“Why do you need Alice’s DNA? What am I missing?”
More glances were exchanged between them. Henk unfurled his arms from behind his back.
“We are unsure at present," he remarked. "But we hope that Alice will hold the key to the answers we seek.”
I rubbed at the ache between my eyes. Fates, I missed Alice. My soul was tethered to her and protested at having to leave her so abruptly. However, I could see the end in sight.
“I will get you the DNA,” I vowed.