Page 196 of Bedeviled

For better or worse, it’s time to save my soul mate.

Memnon has already been here.

It’s clear as day once the Bargainer and I finally discover the carved stone entranceway to the House of Scrolls tucked into the side of the mountain.

For one thing, there are still a few tattered remains of a prior enchantment clinging to the edges of the door—an enchantment likely meant to hide this entrance from prying eyes.

But the bigger reason Memnon’s obviously been here are the bodies. Over a dozen of them lay sprawled at various points along the stone pathway that leads to the door, a pathway which also appears to have been previously enchanted.

I glance at the two fae guards on the ground in front of me. Under the soft glow of the floating fairy lights above us the guards’ limbs appear stiff, their glassy eyes open. I would assume they were dead, except Memnon’s magic still clings to their forms.

The hairs along the back of my neck rise as I crouch in front of one and place two fingers along their jugular.

Beneath my fingers, I feel a rhythmic flutter.

“He still has a pulse.” I move to the other guard and check his neck as well. “So does this one.”

My heart beats fast as I rise to my feet. “I think Memnon might still be here.” I think that’s precisely why these fae are still alive when my husband has a penchant for killing off those in his way. He’s going to revive them, then alter their minds. I’m sure of it, though Memnon has kept his thoughts carefully barred from mine.

The Bargainer looks unsurprised at my announcement, and I get the prickling sense he already gleaned this knowledge the same way he’s gleaned all of my secrets.

My gaze returns to the fallen guards. “Memnon shouldn’t have been able to do this,” I say softly.

The fairy across from me levels me with a look. “Sugar, I think it’s time we had a talk.”

My stomach drops at his tone and the serious look in his eyes.

Behind him, the door to the mountain looms, beckoning us.

The Bargainer continues. “Since time is of the essence, let’s walk and chat.”

The mountain opens into an opulent columned chamber, one that is held up at its center by a massive, flowering fae tree. From its canopy pink petals rain down on the floor. Several of the blooms have landed on yet more fallen guards that lie scattered about the room. Memnon’s tell-tale magic still clings to them.

“How has he done this?” I ask again as Nero and I skirt around a glassy-eyed female fae. “Mortal magic should not be able to affect fairies.”

My eyes meet the Bargainer’s.

He draws in a long breath, heading toward a marble staircase at the far end of the room that leads downward.

Judgment lies beneath the earth.

“How much do you know about lilac wine?” the fairy asks.

I glance sharply at him. I’ve never in my life heard of it, though the name immediately brings to mind the pale purple drink I had with Eislyn. The drink that seemed to fizz and spark in my blood and dulled my connection to Memnon. The same drink I then asked the Bargainer about—the one he never answered me on.

“What is it?” I ask softly as we skirt around yet another fallen fae, this one clearly going about his business when he ran into my husband.

“It’s an elixir, one that fae commonly use on humans they are…fond of,” the Bargainer explains.

I search his face as we get to the stairs. “And you think Eislyn gave it to Memnon?”

The fairy nods at the railing. “Safety first, sugar.”

I grab the stone banister while Nero pads on ahead of us down the curving stairs that seem to descend forever.

“I do,” the Bargainer says.

I glance sharply at him. “Why would Eislyn give it to my soul mate?” I ask. “What does it do?”