Page 167 of Tempt

As per protocol, my shackles are removed, and a moment later, I hear Luca’s hit the ground. He makes a curious noise, but I feel a punch of relief when he does not move. This is a test—to see if he is trained, to see if I am willing to follow protocol.

I am. For now.

I will do my best to drag this out until I am certain Sabik is not coming for us. Or, as I can truly hope, that he has enough time to form a plan. I am not brave enough to look to Rathyn now, but I swear I can feel his eyes on me.

“What proof?” I ask again.

Jyrion spreads his hands over the council table. “You have been taking rut suppressants in order to delay your breeding. You wish to put your breeding seed inside your human companion.”

“What does that have to do with the Tarek?”

“They are the only known Eretharian to possess the suppressant. You were not authorized to take it. Therefore, you have been in contact with a member of the Tarek to obtain your dose.”

I almost laugh. Not because he’s wrong, but because it means he does not know how deeply in contact with the Tarek I am. It means he does not know how far this runs. It means that even if I am compromised, if Rathyn can maintain, all hope is not lost.

“I am willing to offer you leniency. Banishment,” Jyrion says after a long beat.

My eyes widen. “Why?”

“Because it would be a more fitting punishment that you should live and suffer away from your people. You will rot and wallow amongst the humans you adore.” His smile widens. “For a cost.”

I almost laugh. “Which is?”

“You will retain custody of your former companion and surrender your current companion to me.”

A noise of outrage escapes me before I can stop it, but no one notices. In that moment, Kori whips around and stares at Jyrion.

“You can’t be serious!”

“Quiet,” Jyrion snaps, showing fang.

Kori takes a step away from him. “You’re…you’re fucking lying! You cannot be serious. You said you lo⁠—”

“Enough!” Jyrion waves his hand, and a guard goes for Kori, but as he was when I knew him, he is quick. He dodges the guard, and before I can blink, he crosses the distance between us and curls his fists into my tunic.

I attempt to side-step him, but he clings like a banthyar. “Eissa.” I haven’t heard my name on his lips in so, so long. “I’m sorry.”

“Release me,” I demand.

Kori looks panicked. “He lied to me! He said you were using me! He said that if I told him what you were doing, who you were speaking with, he’d give me everything I wanted.”

“And you wish me to take pity on you knowing you sold me for the highest bid?” I ask.

Luca has taken a step closer now, and I can see the fury on his face. I’m still projecting every word to him so he is not lost, and if he was angry before, it is something else now. I believe if he could, he would kill Kori where he stood.

“Release me,” I tell Kori. When he doesn’t, I dig my claws into his arms and force him to let go. With most of my strength, I toss him into the air, and he lands on the council table with a heavy thud.

Izar sneers, Jyrion jumps back, and Zynth continues to look impossibly bored with this entire situation. If there were no threat to Luca, I might have found this entire thing amusing.

But we are still trapped, and right now I do not know if I have any means of escape.

Jyrion clears his throat. “Guards, take the humans. Rathyn, take Eissa into custody and prepare him for the mines.”

There’s a pause—just a second of hesitation, but that’s all the time that needs to pass. There’s a shimmer in the room, and the distinct scent of a portal about to open. Unsure where it is opening, I throw myself on top of Luca, and we roll several feet away before the portal flares to life.

Jyrion begins screaming orders, but the sound is being drowned out by the arrival of the Tarek. Seven of them, and they are armed, pointing their weapons at the Vyastil council.

Two of them position themselves in front of me and Luca, and a moment later, tentacles have us. My hearts leap, and I quickly send to Luca, Do not panic.