Page 87 of Vicious Kings
"Liberated." I raise an eyebrow. "That's a fancy way of saying you stole it."
"Theft implies wrongful taking." He smiles wickedly. "I simply claimed what was rightfully mine. The Unseelie Court wasn't using it anymore."
I study the garden with new eyes. This is Unseelie. The dark court, the dangerous ones, the Fae that make even other Fae nervous. And Caelyx brought a piece of it here, tucked it away behind wards and iron gates where no one would think to look.
"Why show me this?" I ask, genuinely curious in spite of myself.
"Because," he says, moving to a bench made of the same black stone as the trees, "this is where we'll meet and plan. Where you'll learn everything you need to know to kill my brother without getting us both executed in the process."
He sits, crossing one leg over the other. The picture of a prince holding court, even in a garden that looks like it wants to murder you.
I don't sit. Not yet. "You said you'd tell me about my mother."
"Eventually." He pats the space beside him. "But first, we need to discuss your current situation. Sit."
It's neither a request nor a command, but rather something in between that makes my spine stiffen with the urge to refuse on principle. But I'm here for information, and standing around being stubborn isn't going to get me any closer to the truth.
I sit, keeping as much distance between us as the bench allows. Which isn't much.
"Better." He turns to face me, those red eyes catching the strange light filtering through the canopy. "Let's start with what you already know. The Golden Triad consists of my brother, his familiar, and Professor Locke Drakiss."
"The shifter," I murmur, practically able to feel the Professor's onyx eyes tracking me. "What is he, anyway?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," Caelyx says with a velvety chuckle. "Most of the school would."
"Doyouknow?" I challenge.
"I know everything that happens on this campus, and when I think you should know, you will," he says, poking the tip of my nose, because apparently, he doesn't value his fingers nearly enough.
"At least tell me why he's bonded to your brother," I say, staring him down. "You have to give mesomething."
"They're soul-bonded," he answers. "Same with the familiar. I assume they covered that in hunter school?"
"Of course they did," I admit. "Kill one, and the others feel it. Maybe die too, depending on the strength of the bond."
"Close." He shifts, angling his body toward mine. "The bond between them is old, and stronger in proportion to their power. Centuries old. But power is also a weakness. Killing one would absolutely kill the others. But it's not instantaneous. There would be time—minutes, maybe hours depending on how they died—for the survivors to retaliate."
My stomach drops. "So even if I managed to kill Corvinus, his triad would have time to hunt me down before they died."
"Precisely." He looks almost pleased that I'm following along. "Which is why a direct assault is suicide. You'd never make it off campus alive. If you want any chance of getting out alive, you have to kill all three of them at the same time."
"Then what do you suggest?" The words come out harsher than intended. "I'm not here to make friends and attend classes. I'm here to kill your brother."
"I know." His voice goes soft, almost gentle, and it's more unsettling than when he's being sharp and dangerous. "But you need to be smart about it. Patient."
"I've been patient for eight years."
"And you can be patient for a few more weeks." He leans back, studying me with those unnerving eyes. "Let me tell you what you're up against. Starting with Tallon."
"The familiar."
"Yes. He's a shifter, though not any common breed you've encountered. His wolf is... special. Enhanced by his bond with Corvinus. Faster, stronger, more resilient than any natural creature. He's also intensely loyal, which makes him dangerous in ways that have nothing to do with teeth and claws."
I think about Tallon's easy smile, his warm manner, the way he'd invited me to that party with what seemed like genuine friendliness.
"He doesn't seem dangerous."
"That's precisely what makes him dangerous." Caelyx's smile turns knowing. "He's the friendly face of the triad. The one who makes you feel safe, welcome, like you're among friends. And then you wake up with your throat torn out, wondering how you didn't see it coming."
