Page 54 of Adversary to the Villain

Keeley, who’d been quietly observing, chimed in. “What is the ink’s relevance?”

“If you write with magic-imbued blue ink, a single drop from that vial will copy anything written from that ink. Past, present, and future,” Evie said hollowly.

“So there’s another book. A copy,” Maverine concluded, looking stone-cold, eyebrows flattened, mouth set in his tense jaw. The man appeared ready to do battle, when he wasn’t constantly glancing at Evie. “I don’t suppose you know where it is, Mistress Sage?”

Maverine didn’t ask cruelly, but nor was he kind. He was professional. Diplomatic. Prince-like.

Deadlands. In theory, one day Maverine could be…king.

“I would if I could.” Nura shrank, breathing out in a slow measure. “But I cannot.”

“You won’t,” Evie murmured, shaking her head. “Youwon’ttell us.”

Nura objected. “No, hasibsi, that isn’t true. I want to tell you. I just— That’s all I can offer you. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s all right, Mother. No need for apologies.” Evie’s voice was light, her face impassive, all her emotion hidden in the depths of her eyes. “I do not believe them any longer.”

Nura nodded, biting her lip. “Trystan…might you walk me out?” She gestured toward the thorny grove.

Maverine stepped forward, offering their mother his arm in a gallant but unfeeling gesture.

“Evil Overlord?” Evie called after him, and Maverine halted like her voice was a command he had to follow. “When you return, I’d like to have a word about my magic.”

Maverine’s eyes rounded. “For what purpose?”

“I believe it’s time for me to start my training in earnest.”

“For what?” Gideon asked warily.

“To become The Villain I was always meant to be.” Evie gave their mother a final parting smile. “I was never able to fix a broken world, Mama. But of course—that was always meant to be your job.”

And then Nura Sage did what she’d always done.

She left.

Chapter 25

Evie

Evie had gone through several identity crises in her life.

Yet through them all she stayed flighty, foolish, and, as always—fucked.

She twiddled her thumbs in a room several floors up in the manor. One she’d always assumed was once a ballroom, with its extravagant chandeliers and fabrics draped along the walls.

Now it was disheveled, lit only by the fading sunlight coming in through the windows, the gentle breeze drifting in from the one Evie had managed to wedge open.

He’s going to come. He won’t abandon you to the magic alone. Even if he’s mad at you for snapping at him. For assuming he’d gone behind your back with the others to enlist Lyssa.

You’re not a bad person. You’re not a bad person.She chanted it to herself until her breaths came easier and her heart rate slowed. Only to jump again when a voice sounded at her ear. “You are far too easy to sneak up on.”

“You’re too tall to be sneaky. It’s like a giant hiding beneath a mushroom.” Evie rolled her eyes, turning, but her breath hitched when his arms caged her in. His dark eyes were warm.

“Your mother is safely atop one of our best horses, and I sent two Malevolent Guards to escort her to her intended destination.” He told her this softly, watching her face closely for a reaction she wouldn’t give.

You’re not the only one who can bury their emotions and shut them away like a creepy doll.

“I can be creepy, too,” she blurted, forgetting she hadn’t had that conversation with herself aloud. No, usually when she did that, people stared at her funny.