hate for the fae even more, and then he will help me lead the new wave of humans to destroy the fae and take back our land. Our world. I know him. Once he learns of her death, he will do it without question. It’s amazing how powerful a broken heart can be.”
Feet moved to the door, followed by the swish of it opening, footsteps receding, then the door clicking shut.
Shock swelled in my lungs, clogging my throat with emotion, fear, rage, grief, and heartbreak.
A man I thought of as family had so easily ordered my torture and death, turning against me without hesitation. For one moment, I wanted to curl on the ground and let the little girl, who grew up under his care, sob in grief feeling broken and terrified.
Run, my brain screamed at me. You are no longer safe. Go!
Instinct kicked me forward, flattening the folder to my chest. I peered around the curtain, searching for a threat before slipping out and heading for the exit. I peered back at his safe, the false front a little askew, then down at my item in my hands. A tiny part of me still wanted to be obedient to Istvan, prove I was the soldier and girl he raised so he would be proud of me.
“Once he learns of her death, he will do it without question. It’s amazing how powerful a broken heart can be.”
Terror twisted in my soul at his cruelty. Tucking the folder under my gown and wrapping it in the layers of fabric, I slinked out, knowing what I had to do.
And I could never come back from it.
Chapter 13
Music, laughter, and voices hummed from the great hall. Happiness and cheer were everywhere, the guests oblivious to the events playing out under this roof, or even outside these walls. Their ignorance and entitlement only made me walk faster and with greater determination.
With each measured step, I tried to keep my expression blank of emotion, hoping I could slink away down the hall and grab a few things from my room before slipping out into the night.
“Brexley.” Istvan’s voice came from behind me. Ice frosted my spine, pulling me to a stop, my lungs cinching, my lids crushing together. Deep fear coated my tongue, and I fought back a gasp blooming in my throat. “I have been looking for you.”
I lifted my lashes. Instead of seeing the opulent décor of HDF, a dark, seedy bedroom was before me. The smells of sex and sweat drenched the stale chamber. Lit by a dim light from the nightstand, a lone figure sat on the bed, his face lined with frustration, making me strangely want to reach out and brush it away.
Aqua eyes jerked to me. Warwick’s scrutiny rolled over me, then beyond as if he could see what was going behind me. Whatever he saw in my face had him bounding off the bed. “Kovacs?”
My mouth parted, my eyes locking with his.
“Brexley?” Istvan’s cool voice snapped me back to HDF, abruptly cutting the link to Warwick. “Where have you been?”
Trying to keep my breath even, I twisted to face my guardian.
“I needed some fresh air.” I kept my chin up, my eyes directly on him.
His gaze slid from the direction I had come and back to me. His expression did not falter; nothing about him altered. But everything had changed. I could feel the tension of the game I had no idea we were playing. Istvan would never come out and ask me. He would let me hang myself with my lies. The Eastern Bloc was built on power-hungry dictators playing a game of spies like little boys. You couldn’t trust anyone, and everyone was a suspect.
All I could do was continue the game. Engage as if everything was the same.
“Rebeka is wondering where you are. Reporters want to take a family picture.”
He had set down his chess piece, and now it was my move.
“Let me go freshen up, and I will be right in.” I motioned to my face.
“You do look flushed, my dear.” He tipped his head, his eyes burrowing into me.
“It’s warm in there.”
“Except you were outside getting fresh air…” He lifted a silvering eyebrow, taking one step closer to me.
“Too much champagne,” I said quickly. Keep calm. Keep calm.
The rope was looped around my neck, and I knew if I kept getting defensive, it would strangle me.
Staying silent, we watched each other. The sound of the orchestra music in the main ballroom cheerfully buzzed