Shadowborn Royals - G. Bailey Page 0,6

is where you’ll get no second chances or a way out. Do not bother showing those around you mercy when none shall be given to you. It’s every man for themselves here, as your new governor, Princess Evangelina, is about to explain. Please give her a warm welcome.”

Not a single person claps when Princess Psycho Bitch appears. She sweeps her gaze around the room, her sickly sweet smile making me want to vomit.

Or punch it off her face.

Definitely punch it off her face.

The sight of Ronan behind her churns my stomach even more. That bastard betrayed my friend and by default betrayed me. He better pray he doesn’t come near me or I’ll kill him. He looks my way and smirks. I’ve changed my mind: I’m going to find a way to kill him, regardless.

“Changes have also been made with regards to the Blood Trials. This time, we are going back to their ancient roots. They will no longer be voluntary. Each of you will compete to display your skills to me. Those who survive will live to see another day, and those who perish deserve no place among greatness.” She doesn’t even falter when she continues, “May only the dangerous survive.”

As she walks away, followed closely by her faithful mutt, Memphis appears at my side.

“We’re all fucked,” he says.

Yeah. I think he could be right this time.

With Her Royal Bitch now gone, I turn to Memphis in hopes to distract myself from this fucked up situation.

“You took your sweet time getting here,” I tell him.

He throws his big arms around me and pulls me in. “I missed you too, kid.”

I smile into his chest, grateful to see my friend again. But I notice not all of us are reunited. After sweeping my eyes around the hall, I turn back to Memphis.

“Where’s Luke?”

“Here,” my warden answers, weaving through the inmates. He’s dressed like the other guards in this place, only his helmet is tucked under his arm. Unlike them, Luke looks positively miserable. Though the clear changes of the Light Fae magic made him that much more…gorgeous. The white wings rest down at his back, but the glow of them spreads over his high cheekbones and golden skin. Luke’s eyes watch me with the same interest. We are the same…but so much more now. Eva might have made us change, but we aren’t on her side. We fight for each other. “I got my job back.”

His gaze zeroes in on Memphis’ arms cradled around me, and his misery darkens.

Untangling myself from Memphis, I leap into the warden’s arms, and a lump swells in my throat as he holds me to his chest. His scent wraps around me and for a moment I am lost in it.

Another buzzer goes off and the guards begin herding everyone out. Reluctantly, Luke lets me go.

“Time for lunch, children,” Scott says, winking at me as if we’re still at the academy and everything is okay. By Selena, it isn’t. Not even a tiny bit.

Luke motions for us to follow the others to the mess hall, which we do because what other choice do we have.

“So does this mean you’re my warden again?” I ask him.

He holds the door to the hall open and nods.

“You don’t seem too happy about it,” I add quietly.

Pausing in the doorway, Luke glances at me, his eyebrows drawn together. I can’t quite read his expression. His eyes dart to the other guards in the hall and I suspect he’s being careful and will answer me later.

I follow the guys to the food station. When I see it’s Tyler serving, my appetite vanishes.

He slides his eyes over me slowly, an almost predatory glint in them, and I scowl as fiercely as I can. With a smirk, he slaps mashed potatoes onto my plate, followed by a runny beef stew, and hands it to me.

I’m surprised he didn’t throw it over me. I’m surprised I don’t throw it back at him before seeing if the plastic fork on my tray can puncture a good hole in his neck. I bet it can.

I take the plate from him, but his grip lingers on it. Gods, I want to punch him, just like I did when I first met him. I feel the guys watching me, ready to step in, but with a grin I let go of the plate and the food spills all over him. It’s an improvement, really. I lean in, grabbing some fruit while he stands there covered in stew,