Page 43 of Ruin of Revenants

I was already half-drowning in my pit of despair and numbness, and now I’d have to wield my magic again to avoid the barbaric act of using fire. Even if many guards still pressured me for its use, since it was an unquestioned confirmation of a phoenix shifter.

“Scarlet,” I murmured, my tone warm and honeyed, like a predator luring its prey with the promise of comfort or pleasure. My magic thickened the air as her body relaxed, her eyes fixing on me. “Tell me the truth: are you a phoenix shifter?”

I could sense when her will fought against my influence, shaking off some of the feelings that made her want to obey. Her eyes widened the slightest bit. She gritted her teeth, as if trying to hold back the words.

She was strong of mind, and this wasn’t going to be as easy as I’d hoped.

Again, I focused my magic. Her emotions pulsated with fear and desperation, and, worn down by using my magic earlier and fighting Mortius’ curse, trying to influence them felt like trying to grasp slippery, unwieldy threads.

“I’m a citizen of Emberglade,” she said smoothly.

Swallowing, I tried again, struggling against her willpower. Her eyes weren’t as fearful, but there was still a lingering wariness in them. She wasn’t going to be easy.

Dread pooled in my stomach. “Are you also a phoenix shifter?”

Defiance gleamed in her dark eyes. “I told you who I am.”

“Strike your matches,” Grey ordered the two other guards.

My pulse pounded in my ears. The boy was in the hallway again, standing outside his bedroom, his eyes wide with horror. “What is happening, Mama?”

“Please, Cypress.” Her voice quavered. Her eyes remained locked on me. “I am having a conversation with the prince and his guards who protect our city.”

He sniffled. “I want a hug. I can’t go back to sleep.”

She swallowed as the guards struck their matches against their tinder boxes, each igniting a small flame and approaching Scarlet. Each seized one of her arms, holding the tiny flames over her skin.

Cypress’s voice turned shrill, panicked. “Don’t hurt my mama! Please!”

The flames pressed against her skin, dancing over it. She grimaced, and I searched hopefully for burns. She was innocent; the injuries would be minor; she would go back to comfort her son. All would be well.

“No burns,” one of the males proclaimed. “Foul fire demon!” He slammed a fist into Scarlet’s face, striking her cheekbone and dropping her to the floor before she could react. Her head struck the wall behind her, and she blinked dazedly.

“Restrain her!”

Cypress was screaming. My ears rang. I was going to be sick.

Manacles infused with forget-me-nots from the mountains were slammed around Scarlet’s wrists, their influence forcing her to forget her own magic. It was a painful experience, but it rendered her harmless as long as they were in contact with her bare skin.

She’s dangerous. She would burn down this entire city. She’s likely here, waiting to strike.

I couldn’t hear what Grey was saying.

She could be the one Maris prophesied about, the one supposed to ruin our royal family.

“No! Please!”

I straightened, forcing myself to function. I couldn’t descend into darkness now. The despair could cloud my mind later, when I was alone. “Take her to the dungeons to be questioned,” I ordered firmly. “And the boy—take him to the royal servants and let them ensure he is somewhere safe until we decide what to do with him.”

The guards shoved Scarlet into one of the waiting carriages before returning to restrain a panicked Cypress, depositing him in my own carriage.

“Well done, Your Highness,” Grey commended with a nod, slamming the door as we exited the home and striding toward my carriage.

I glanced up, eyes locking with Cliff. There was a sorrow in his gaze that mirrored my own, or maybe I was only seeing what I wished to see.

Was I going mad? I swallowed. Perhaps the boy was a phoenix shifter as well. They were cruel, dangerous.

But we didn’t slay children.