Was it a surprise to learn Corvina was your sister?” I ask her, a grin tugging at my lips. The crazy-ass princess already has me locked up, so I might as well piss her off. I’ve learned that angry people spill more secrets than drunk idiots. “I like Vina. She will make a good queen.”
Eva’s odd laugh fills the room and icy dread fills me. I feel like I’m missing something. “I saved your life and you’re trying to vex me already? Tut. Tut.”
“You saved my life? Seriously?” I cross my arms as Eva runs her eyes over me slowly.
“Yes, seriously,” she replies just as sarcastically, waving a hand in the air. “Your mother begged me to. As she is my lead scientist, and a good friend, I granted her the wish. My magic unlocked the hidden side of you that was just itching to come out. With your light fae revelation, I was finally able to find the right cure for Shadowborns,”
My head swims with the words. My mother is Eva’s lead scientist? And Eva saved me? I don’t know how to process any of this, not that I really believe her. The royal fae lie and cheat for breakfast despite their claims, and I won’t play into whatever game she has going on here.
“Cure?” I croak out. Dammit! Show no emotion, Izora.
She smiles sweetly at me, stepping close enough that her arm brushes into mine. “Shadowborns have always been a blight to society, much like dark fae, but at least the latter are magic created by the gods. Shadowborns are nothing more than dangerous accidents and finally—finally I have a cure.” She grins at me wildly, and with a casual wave of her hand, steps through the gate. “You are the cure. Your blood holds the key to changing shadowborns into light fae and my magic can activate it. Together, we can eradicate shadowborns once and for all.”
I smile at her, and she relaxes, just like I want her to.
Time to cut a bitch.
In two swift movements, I grab her neck, spin her around and slam her body into the wall with all my strength. I punch her hard in the stomach, tightening my grip on her throat as I lean my face close to hers.
“You’re a fucking liar, Princess Eva, and shadowborns don’t need a cure! My mother would have never, ever had anything to do with this!”
Eva lets out a grumbled laugh, her piercing blue eyes latched on mine. I will give her her dues, she isn’t scared, and she just seems like she is happy to let me hurt her.
What is wrong with this psycho bitch?
“Let the princess go this instant! I did not bring you up to be a killer, Izora Dawn!”
My mother’s voice vibrates through me and I drop Eva to the floor like a kid caught red-handed with a bag of forbidden candy. Turning around slowly, with Eva’s gasps for air ringing out in the background, I look at my mother standing in the doorway like nothing is wrong.
“M-mum?”
My mother looks like she’s just got home from work and is about to ask my stepdad what he wants for dinner. Her appearance shocks me more than her just being in this place.
She’s here, in prison with me, but it’s very clear who the captive is and who is not. Her silver hair is pulled tightly into a bun that reflects the light pouring down on her from the spotlights on the ceiling. Her pale blue jumper looks soft and loosely hangs over a tee-shirt and skinny jeans. For a long moment, she stares at me before we both seem to remember the princess on the floor at my feet.
Mother rushes to her with bright red cheeks. She picks her up and checks if she’s okay, but Eva waves her off.
“See you around, Izora Dawn,” the princess laughs like I’m once again missing the joke.
Gods, I hate this bitch already.
She skips her way to the door like a creepy doll that’s just come to life.
“Don’t forget to tell her the new rules,” she says to my mother. “Izora is just what I expected her to be.”
If my mother agrees or disagrees with her, she doesn’t voice it. I don’t bother looking at Eva for a second longer as I watch my mum, studying her features closely. She’s always been good at schooling her features and this time is no different.
“Rules?” I question once Eva leaves, narrowing my eyes on my mum. “How about