Page 12 of Adversary to the Villain

Or he hadn’t been the sole traitor at all.

Trystan stormed for the door, only halting when he was struck by something else. Something that sent chills down his spine.

Trystan turned slowly back around, finding one more thing gone from the room.

The thing he’d placed on the frog’s bed for safekeeping.

Kingsley’s crown.

Narrowing his eyes, he charged for the door, hearing Blade call after him, “Where are you going?”

“To the dungeons,” Trystan growled.

Where traitors lurked in the dark.

Chapter 4

Kingsley

Finally.

Chapter 5

Evie

Evie was daydreaming about being alone forever.

The blissful thought had invaded her mind all day. Running away from all the problems of Rennedawn, all the pain. The temptation to move herself to the mountains, to hide among the trees. Where she couldn’t hurt anyone. And no one could hurt her.

With a deep breath in, Evie took a step toward Trystan’s office, raising her hand to knock on the closed door.

“Enter,” Trystan’s low voice rumbled.

She jolted, fist pausing just before connecting with the wood. How did he know she’d be there? Was he so attuned to her? Or to the gilded ink circling her pinky, the one that let him know when she was in danger. Regardless, it was a foolish thought—running away. She’d not make it far.

And further, he’d never forgive her.

None of them would.

By the gods…am I becoming a pessimist?

Shivering, Evie pushed open the doors, then took in the scene before her with pleasant confusion. Trystan stood in front of his desk, her usual chair occupied.

Marv.

“Oh, are we gathering for tea?” Evie asked lightly, trying to keep her voice from shaking as she entered and closed the door. The dark magic came in with her, swirling around to play with her hair. “Hello, Marv dear. How did you sleep?” She wasn’t trying to unsettle him; the magic was acting of its own accord, but Marv’s wide eyes still stared at her, at the magic surrounding her, like she was a ghost and was paralyzing him with fear.

“We-Well, Ms. Sage. Thank you,” Marv squeaked as Evie rounded his chair to face him, standing beside Trystan.

“Marv and I were just discussing that, actually, Sage,” Trystan said coolly, staring with more deep emotion than Evie had ever seen him aim toward a prisoner. This betrayal hurt him more than any other; she could see it. The same look she was sure he’d found in her own eyes after her father. After Gideon. After her mother.

Her mother.

Shaking away thoughts of Nura she could not bear, she focused all her attention on Trystan. “Were you really going to steal my fun and question him without me?”

“I left a note on your desk to come see me at once,” Trystan objected, brow furrowed. “What did youthinkthat was for?”

Allowing a small smile to tilt her lips up, Evie felt her soft heart cradled by his concern. “I wasn’t certain. It was vague, and you did an inappropriate doodle at the bottom.”