Zodiac Academy Fated Throne - Caroline Peckham Page 0,220

wearing an emerald green coat and looked like he was heading off to the city.

He gave me a dark look, walking toward me with his shoulders pressed back and rage in his posture.

“I am growing impatient,” he hissed. “Vard has told me to give you time, but you have had plenty. Where is the Imperial Star? You must have something tangible by now.”

Relief rushed through me that he didn’t know I’d left the property. It felt fucking amazing to get one up on him. And I had the best poker face of anyone I knew. Except maybe Tory - that girl was a pro at bullshitting people.

“I found something today,” I lied, shooting over to a drawer in the kitchenette and taking out the replica of my father’s diary I’d made.

It was filled with nonsense symbols and diagrams which looked totally fucking convincing and meant absolutely nothing. I pointed out one of the maps I’d hand drawn. I’d copied it from an old kid’s book I found in the library, changing a few of the details so it wasn’t completely recognisable. Not that I expected Lionel to pick up a copy of The Fae Who Flew to Flamoo any time soon. But you never knew what psychos lulled themselves to sleep with at night.

“I think the Imperial Star may be hidden in this mountain, but it’s not clear where it is.” I pointed to the nonsense symbols above it which were all smudged - thanks to me. “The name isn’t readable, but I’ve been working through ancient maps of Solaria to try and match it.”

Lionel took the diary from me, frowning at the picture as he tried to place it. “It does look familiar…perhaps Vard can see more.”

Oh fuck, he might see Flamoo.

“I doubt it. It says it’s a long forgotten place protected by dark spells to conceal its location,” I sighed and Lionel narrowed his eyes at me. I kept my features taut, frowning like I was trying to figure it out. But the only thing I was really figuring out was how best I’d like to see him fall from grace. Burned to a crisp in Phoenix fire, or torn to pieces in the jaws of his son? Thrown into a vat of hot tar, or churned up in a blender? “I found this too.” I turned the page and showed him an image of a sceptre which I’d traced from a book on ancient artefacts – plus added a few embellishments including a stone set into the top of it. I’d based it on one of the many ancient stories about where the Imperial Star had been kept in the past, so it was pretty convincing. “I think the star could be hidden in this sceptre.”

He eyed it, a hungry glint entering his gaze like he was picturing wielding the sceptre and destroying people with it. I wonder what age Lionel turned into a fully fledged psychopath, or if he was born deranged. “A sceptre…yes it makes sense for it to be set in something like that. Keep searching. I want it in my possession soon,” he growled, a warning in his tone.

He turned like he was going to leave, but I caught his arm, an idea coming to me.

Lionel looked back at me with a snarl, eyeing my hand on his arm and I withdrew it quickly, figuring I didn’t want to lose a limb tonight.

“Uncle Lionel…” I laid it on thick. “I know we don’t see eye to eye sometimes, but you’ve always watched out for my family.” I dropped his gaze and felt him scrutinising me closely. I was going to get a Golden Leo award for this if I pulled it off. “It kills me not being around my sister. Can she come and visit sometimes?”

If I could spend more time with her, maybe I could find a way to bring her back, make her remember herself.

Lionel sneered, stepping away from me. “No.”

“Why not?” I demanded as my blood heated. “I’ve done everything you’ve asked me to, let me have this one thing. Let her have some damn happiness.”

“Happiness?” he laughed. “The girl is more content with me than she is with any other Fae in Solaria. She couldn’t care to spend time with you, Lance. Even if I cared to allow it. Which I do not.”

A growl built in my throat as an acidic rage burned through me. I knew it was a bad idea to poke the Dragon, but I was