Chapter 346

“You need to find a new supplier for your scent suppressants,” Ottai added dryly. “They did a poor job.”

Sinai gave a strained laugh. “Apologies for sneaking. I was at Blackstone and happened to see where the three of you were headed. I… couldn’t help my curiosity.” Then she straightened her spine, slipping into the cold confidence Emeriel had seen so many times before. “There is nothing to be worried about; I have known about all of this for months. I am the one feeding him and his supposed lover, remember?”

The Third Ruler’s expression did not soften. “Which is the only reason I allowed you to stay behind those doors. But you know our laws. Spying on private matters is a punishable offense.”

“I should have you dragged back to the dungeon,” Ottai snapped, also angry.

“You will not do that, Fourth Ruler,” she said smoothly. “Not when I’m offering to help.”

Ottai released Emeriel’s shoulders and turned toward her. “What help could you offer?”

“You cannot bloodfeed him now,” Vladya said before Sinai could answer. “Ile would tear you apart, piece by piece, and Daemonikai doesn’t need that on his conscience too.”

Sinai tilted her head. “I plan to do more than feed him,” she said coolly. “Bloodfeeding will not bring him out of this. It’s his Sexlust starving now, because someone is being a coward in the face of a real challenge.” Her brow arched at Emeriel. “The heat was turned up once. Guess who turned tail and ran?”

Emeriel’s temper flared. Closing the space between them, she raised her chin and met the other female’s eyes without flinching. “Do not speak so carelessly about that which you know nothing about.”

The Mistress laughed. “I know my Daemon unleashed on you, and it messed you up.”

“Enough,” Lord Vladya ordered, stepping between them. “That is not how our kind unleash, and you know it. One is never mindless for that.” He took a step closer, crowding the mistress. “Stop trying to cut Emeriel with your tongue… or I’ll cut it out myself.”

Mistress Sinai paled, her bravado faltering. “I apologize. That was… ill-spoken.” Clearing her throat, she composed herself. “Anyway, if you permit it, I wish to serve the beast.”

“Too dangerous,” Lord Vladya snapped immediately.

“You underestimate me.” She lifted her chin. “I am Urekai, not some dainty little human.”

“You arrogant fool. Put your ego aside and think, just for one damned moment.”

“And you forget,” Ottai added flatly, “that over the millennia, thousands of Urekai have died at the hands of ferals, and countless females have died beneath them. Don’t think you are beyond that fate.”

“I am. I am his Bloodhost; we share a bond. An active bond,” she jabbed at Emeriel. “If not for Fate’s bitchy games, he would’ve been mine. Mine!”

Emeriel smiled. “But he’s not yours and he never will be.”

The mistress snorted. “We shall see.” She turned back to Lord Vladya. “You need me. I can do what the human cannot. It’s been three days already. You need me, and you know it. Send me inside.”

Grand Lord Vladya looked at Emeriel, seeking her permission. The truth was, she wanted the mistress to go in there. Not from spite—Emeriel refused to see herself as a rival to that woman—but she wished for Daemonikai to come back from the edge. If it took the mistress crossing that threshold, then so be it.

She gave a solemn nod. Lord Ottai looked troubled but inclined his head in agreement.

Vladya swiveled his head once more to the mistress. “I don’t like this. Even if we allowed it, there should be a safeguard—a word to call if it becomes too much. But that chamber is heavily fortified. Once the door is locked and the window shut, no sound will escape.”

“That’s alright,” the Mistress smirked, smugly. “I don’t need one. I’m not some youngling suffering through her first mini-heat, needing her mama to hold her hand.”

Vladya’s scowl deepened. “Once you step through that door he will pounce on you. Are you sure…”

“I am.”

Fishing out the key from his robes, the Third Ruler unlocked the heavy door. Sinai gifted Emeriel one final, victorious smirk before stepping inside. The door shut behind her.

Emeriel slept poorly that night. She tossed and turned, however awkwardly. Sleep refused her, regardless of how tightly she shut her eyes and cleared her mind. By first light, she was up, dressed, and on her way to Blackstone. Yaz informed her His Majesty was in Aekeira’s chambers, where she headed. There, she waited, fingers knotted in the folds of her gown as she paced.

At last, the door opened and Grand Lord Vladya emerged, his robes hastily thrown on, his hair tousled from sleep.

“Aekeira?” she asked immediately.

“She sleeps,” he answered, leading her down the hall. They reached the sealed corridor; Lord Ottai was already waiting. At the doors, Vladya turned to her.

“If things are bad, Ottai will take you out of here. You don’t need to see it.”

Emeriel nodded. Lord Vladya stepped forward and opened the window, gave a subtle flinch, and shut it. He looked at Lord Ottai, giving him a sharp, wordless nod. The Fourth Ruler came to her side, grasping her shoulder as he steered her away. Emeriel did not resist, following him through the exit and onto the balcony. But she did something she shouldn’t. She looked back.

Emeriel caught sight of Vladya’s back as he walked in the opposite direction, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.

“Oh Gods…” Her hand flew to her mouth.

A strong hand covered her eyes. “Do not look,” Lord Ottai said, guiding her forward. “Come.”

Only when they reached the balcony did he let her see again. Emeriel had spent all night telling herself that whatever she found in that chamber would not affect her. The Mistress knew the risks and she brought it upon herself. Yet, now, her heart felt heavy as lead.

“Is she… dead?”

“Don’t let this trouble you. Sinai is Urekai. She knew what she was walking into; she made her choice.” Lord Ottai sounded angry.

Emeriel swallowed. “I know, but is she dead?”