24. Chapter 24
Arwen
Ten minutes later, Cleo and I were weaving through corridors so excessive they stop feeling real.
“This hallway alone could probably feed my neighborhood for a year,” Cleo mutters beside me.
The slums that we drove by outside Plethora pop into my head. I don’t think Cleo grew up in wealth. She probably wasn’t much better off than I was in Wrath.
“Architecture as intimidation.” I mumble back to her. “I think it’s tacky.”
She laughs as the massive double doors of the Grand Hall come into view. Two guards stand outside, expressionless. They say nothing as they open the doors for us.
My pulse spikes as we step inside…
… but the room is empty. No Councilor West. No servants. Just a cavernous hall of polished floors, towering marble pillars, and silence.
We both walk slowly, looking over the space as the doors slam shut behind us.
The sound of heels click through the hall. Steps measured and slow. Cleo and I spin toward the sound as a side door opens.
Amaya steps through, and my heart drops.
Trap, my mind screams.
She’s dressed in ivory silk and diamonds, not a strand of her short red hair out of place, her expression composed in a polished way. Her gaze flicks to Cleo.
“Well,” she says. “How adorable. You brought a friend.”
My stomach drops as I glance at Cleo. She shifts beside me, subtle but ready.
“What is this?” I demand. “Where’s Councilor West?”
Amaya smiles. “Oh, father knows you’re here.”
She tilts her head. “He simply isn’t the one who requested your company.”
Rage flares as I realize that I’ve walked right into her trap. “You forged his summons to what? Trick me into meeting with you?”
“I borrowed his authority.” She waves a dismissive hand. “Don’t be dramatic. He doesn’t mind.”
She walks to a bar built into the side of the hall and pours a short glass of amber liquid. She turns and leans against the bar in silence and takes a sip from her glass, studying me with a confident smirk.
Cleo mutters beside me, “And she called you dramatic?”
Amaya’s gaze sharpens as I tense and step slightly in front of my friend.
“Relax. If I wanted either of you dead, this conversation would be much shorter.”
That does not make me relax.
“What do you want?”
She circles slowly. Predatory. “I would like you to speak to your bonded. Call off this little crusade of his.”
I blink. “What?”
“He is making things difficult.” Her tone stays maddeningly calm. “Running around trying to gather support, whispering in corners, making overtures to siblings who should know better than to humor him. Tell him to stop.”
I huff a small laugh. So Valentine was right. “You kidnapped me to ask me to control Maddox?”
Amaya sighs in annoyance. “You don’t understand the game you’re standing in the middle of, Arwen.” She studies me. “Maddox was manageable before you arrived. Dangerous, yes—but stable. Predictable.”
Her smile sharpens.
“I wonder what is so special about his little bonded that he’s starting to make waves. Is it love?”
I don’t respond.
My mantra sounds in my head. Give her nothing.
She laughs at that. “He certainly appears desperate.”
She keeps circling.
“And desperate men make mistakes.”
“He’s trying to protect himself and his territory.” I snap.
“No,” she stops in front of me. “I think he’s trying to protect you.”
The way she says it makes it sound pathetic.
“And in doing so,” she continues, “he is destabilizing an already fragile balance.”
“Perhaps your balance deserves to destabilize. Maybe your people deserve better,” I say.
Cleo makes a tiny sound beside me that might be a laugh or a panic response as Amaya’s smile vanishes.
“You are very bold for someone so… sinless.”
I stiffen. I don’t know what her power is. Tabby and Cleo are right. This is dangerous territory.
“You think because Maddox bonded you, you matter here?” She asks, each word landing sharper.
“You think proximity to power will protect you?” She steps closer, but I refuse to move.
“Tell me, Arwen…” Her voice lowers. “How useful are you, truly?”
I swallow. Don’t let her get into your head, Arwen.
“Your ambitions are hard to read,” she murmurs.
“What are you talking about?” My hackles rise.
Her smile returns. “It’s my power.” She taps her temple. “Needs. Desires. Insecurity. It all tastes different. That’s how I know my brother cares for you. Deeply.”
Confusion flickers across my face.
“He tries to hide it, but I know how to sort and dig. And you…” Her eyes drag over me, like she’s reading small print.
“Your desires taste like friendship… belonging. Pathetic, really.”
My blood runs cold. I’m still not sure what her power is, but it seems like she can get in my head.
Cleo steps forward to grab my hand in support, but Amaya moves faster than I can process.
One second she’s in front of me.
The next—
She has Cleo yanked against her, one arm locked around her shoulders, a knife pressed to her throat.
“Cleo!” I reach out to grab her, but Amaya backs away from me, holding Cleo tightly. Her eyes widen in fear and desperation.
“I figured,” Amaya says, almost delighted. “Your ridiculous priorities make your friends the best pawns. Don’t you think?”
My heart pounds so hard it hurts.
“I can feel it,” she says. “The way it unravels you.”
The knife presses closer. A thin line of red appears on Cleo’s throat.
“You care for this one very much.”
“Let her go.” My voice shakes.
Amaya ignores me.
“So here is what will happen.” Her tone turns cold. “You will convince Maddox to stop this foolishness. He will cease pursuing alliances. He will stand down.”
Her smile is merciless.
“Or I will have to use my leverage. I’ll be keeping your friend. And I’m happy to continue collecting more. I hear you have a spare upstairs in your room?”
Cleo goes rigid as Amaya backs away, dragging her along.
“No. Don’t do this. Maddox will come for her. You’ll start unnecessary violence. It doesn’t have to be this way.”
Amaya laughs.
“Oh, darling.” She tilts her head. “You don’t understand my brother at all. Maddox may have collected you as a stray,” she says, “but he will not burn this family down over one insignificant Gluttony citizen.”
Cleo’s eyes meet mine. And I see the tears threatening to slip down her face.
I can’t breathe. Something tears inside me. A hungry pressure is building.
Violent.
The room darkens at the edges until I can only see the dread on Cleo’s face.
My hands shake.
“Arwen!” Cleo gasps.
Amaya’s wicked smile falters.
“What is—”
The doors behind me explode open.
“GET AWAY FROM HER—” Maddox roars.
It’s too late. The hunger surges forward. Wild and uncontrolled. Everything inside me screams to consume the threat in front of me.
The void breaks free.
And everything goes dark.