Page 30 of Adversary to the Villain

“Because you know very well what you’re going to do already.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I hate that you know that about me.”

Blade chuckled, walking back to the wicker guvre trap to begin weaving once more. “No, you don’t.”

With ahmmphsound that Blade truly enjoyed, Rebecka came back to assist him, wordlessly falling into a rhythm. After a few minutes of working side by side, she asked, “You’re sure the measurements of this will be big enough to catch the guvres?”

“I didn’t get a chance to whip out my ruler, but I’m gonna say we can eyeball this time around.” Blade shrugged, ducking when she picked up a pebble from the ground and threw it at him. “It needs to be small enough to fit over the nest. We’ll only have a few seconds before she sees the trap and flies off.”

“But what are we going to do to get the guvres to come back to the eggs?”

This would be the tricky part of his plan. “I have an idea, but you’re not going to like it. Nor will Evie, by my guess.”

Rebecka tilted her head, her gaze shrewd. “How so?”

Danger. Danger. Danger!

“Making the eggs viable again?” They were dull and lifeless, likely laid ten years ago, before the female was imprisoned. As far as they knew, the female still hadn’t laid any new eggs, but regardless, they needed the youngling for the prophecy.

Fate and starlight fall together.

The venom of the guvre youngling was known to be all-healing, and Benedict would be searching, too. Blade had never been the vindictive sort, so it surprised him when he felt an intense need to beat that fucking arse.

And to do it, he’d be infuriating every woman in his life.

He should be holding a shield.

Rebecka laughed at his suggestion. “That’s not possible. There’s no magic that can reverse the viability of life.”

Blade sighed. May as well throw himself into the fire. “No one’s ever attempted it with starlight magic.”

Rebecka’s lips twisted. “Why in the deadlands would—” Suddenly, her eyes widened on a gasp. “No!Have you gone mad?” She shoved past him in a huff, heading for the doors of the manor.

He bolted to catch up with her, knowing if she got to Evie in this state, the chances of convincing them would bottom out at zero. “The prophecy said that Fate and starlight fall together! That could easily be Lyssa using her starlight magic on the eggs. And if it works…” He reached for her arm but shrank back at her glare.

“She’s a little girl!” Rebecka bit out. “She doesn’t even know how to use her magic yet, and you want to just put her in harm’s way while we try to catch two of the deadliest animals in existence?” She was huffing, a vein protruding from her forehead at the strain.

She looked bloody ravishing, all told, but he didn’t think now was the time to tell her that.

“We would be there to protect her,” Blade promised Becky. “You really think I’d suggest something like this if I thought there was even a small chance it would put her in danger?”

“You fly around in the sky on a fire-breathing dragon! I hardly think you’re the best judge of what is safe.”

“Rebecka, see reason,” Blade urged, regretting the words as soon as they left his lips, but he forged on anyway. “Lyssa traipses around Massacre Manor like it’s her personal playground. The same place that’s been under constant threat since her arrival.”

Rebecka’s resolve was cracking; he could see her wavering at the truth of his words. “Even if I agreed with you.” Her finger flew up in an accusatory point. “And I’m not saying I do. Evie would never allow it.”

“She might if you and Tatianna talk to her. She listens to you both.” Blade held the door open for Rebecka, and she walked silently back into the manor. The entryway glowed with candlelight and the fading sun, making the room feel pleasant and warm.

Curious, how he still felt as if he’d just entered a tomb.

Blade searched the area. Two Malevolent Guards stood by the front doors, and another several were posted near the entrance to the dungeons. Nothing appeared out of order. Just the prickling at the back of his neck and the overwhelming feeling he was being watched.

By something…ominous.

A force slammed into him, a blur of pink bows coming down next to him in the form of a very frantic healer. Tatianna scrambled to her feet, looking panicked. “He—he ran away. We cannot find him anywhere!”

“Lost” was not a look one ever saw upon Tatianna’s face, nor did her fingers normally shake. “Tatianna, where have you been?”