Page 241 of Burn Her They Said
Varic turns to me with concern pinching his features. “What is it?”
“I think Sal just sold me out.”
“About the plan?”
“No. The book.”
“I’ll smash his skull in,” Lars promises.
Fray holds a hand up. “I’ll fly him out of here and drop him in the middle of the ocean.”
Cirrin nudges Fray with his elbow before turning to me. “I can always force him to lose consciousness.”
“I am going to fucking obliterate him,” Varic grits as he leans in and amber lightning emits from his fingertips.
“You will do no such thing.” I take the risk and press the back of my hand to his chest.
His eyes meet mine and darken. “He just betrayed you.”
I smooth my skirts, then flex my fingers to prevent them from curling in. “Yes, and you’ve always hated him because he pays me special attention.”
He glares over at the sorcerer in question. “No, I’ve always hated him because you pay him special attention.”
“It was only ever a means to an end.”
His lips graze the edge of my ear. “If that is meant to make me feel better—” He pauses and straightens as the Emperor storms toward us, and the tingling warmth of his shield sluices up my body as Varic takes possession of my being.
“Notice how Malin remained calm and quiet when I reported my suspicion?” I ask.
“Everyone is aware of what my magic is capable of,” Malin whispers. “I didn’t think it necessary to voice my ill wishes when we can all imagine just what I would do to him.”
Lars raises a brow in question, as if he would like to ask exactly what Malin would do, when I admonish, “I’m going to need the rest of you to mimic Malin.”
We each release a heavy breath as His Majesty’s boots splash within the small pool of wine I have just spilled.
“Witch.” His eyes cast up my body before he turns on his heel to stride in the opposite direction. “Come.”
Raki flies over to settle on my shoulder as I hold my breath and follow behind His Majesty’s Guards.
* * *
The Emperor and his Guards lead us inside one of the private rooms far enough away from the main space that no one should hear if we scream.
He pauses abruptly before his Guards, who line the wall closest to the door, then gestures for us to stand facing him.
Varic casts his amber shield over me and each of my protectors, apparently not willing to take any chances as I pivot to plant my boots a few paces away from the tyrant.
“One hundred paces, Euclid.” His Majesty’s tone twists my stomach.
Varic steps before me until his shoulder covers my own, prompting Raki to crawl along the back of my neck and settle on the opposite side where his view of the Emperor remains unobstructed.
“What are you doing?” I whisper.
“Refusing to abandon you,” Varic says, without lowering his volume.
I wince from the tiny spy’s talons digging in, curving around the golden Dragon scale decoration at the same time His Majesty conjures a swirl of dark gray magic spiraling up his body—one which he can choose to blast forward at any given moment.
Ivo lifts his chin in question. “You would deny a command from your Emperor?”
