Page 23 of Mending Mayhem
“They have soft spots here.” Ember touched the delicate skin beneath her ear. “And their armor is like scales. Get close enough, and you can get beneath them to stab the heart.” She sat up straighter. “That’s what we know. Your turn.”
Adrian studied her, his eyes calculating.
“You might have to force the information out of him. Shall I turn Gray against him?”
Ember cleared her throat, a subtle reminder that she couldn’t speak to me. I acquiesced, allowing her to continue the conversation in her own manner.
“I showed you mine. Now, show me yours. What else do you know?” She arched a brow.
He nodded, his expression one of resolve. “Their leader has contacted me. He is a prince whose name is Ignacus, and he is planning a coup to overthrow his brother and take the crown.”
“That’s not the story Miles’s friend told.”
Ember blinked, silently urging him to continue.
“Since I recently experienced and extinguished a coup—led by one of your witches, I might add—I agreed to help him.” His lips screwed to the side, his gaze cutting left before he continued. “In return, he promised me incomparable power. I would be the strongest witch ever to walk the earth. I’m sure you can understand the appeal…”
Ember shrugged. “Not really. I’m happy with what I’ve got.”
He chuckled, his disbelief evident in his condescending expression. “But the fae being the fae, he betrayed me. His soldiers have been picking off my team one by one, absorbing their power as they consume their hearts.”
“Hearts?” Shade’s brow furrowed. “I’ve only heard about them eating livers.”
“The livers provide the enzyme they need to survive in this realm. They eat the hearts of witches to gain their abilities while the scouts search the earth for an amulet that gives its bearer immeasurable strength.”
Ember stiffened inwardly, though she maintained her composure. “Do you know where the amulet is? Can we stop them from getting their hands on it?”
“If I knew where it was, don’t you think I’d be using it? I’d have sent the overgrown bugs home and strengthened the veil a long time ago.”
She leaned back in her chair, her posture relaxing. “Is your team searching for it?”
“Every second of every day since Ignacus told me about it. Your witch Chrys had a piece of it. She wouldn’t have had the strength to make so many of my witches turn without it.”
Ember tapped her index finger on the table. “So you ransacked her apartment looking for it.”
He pursed his lips, shaking his head. “My team searched for it there, but the damage and the murder were courtesy of the fae who followed them.”
“Ask him?—”
“What’s your plan now?” Ember asked, as if reading my mind.
If I had a heart in this form, it would have warmed. Not only was she a skilled warrior, but she was a master interrogator. Her withdrawing this much information without violence astonished and captivated me. I could not wait to have my own body so I could ravish hers.
Adrian steepled his fingers once more. “Find the amulet, murder Ignacus, strengthen the veil, and rule the world.”
Ember laughed dryly. “I figured as much.”
Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and Ash entered the room, followed by Chaos and Olga. Ash nodded, her eyes conveying conspiracy.
Ember rose to her feet, the wooden chair scraping across the floor with a screech. “Well, thanks for the info swap. We’ll get out of your hair.”
Adrian rose too, but Olga pulled out his chair, lifting it so it didn’t make a sound. “You didn’t tell me your plan.”
“It’s the same as yours, minus the murder and world domination.” Ember jerked her head toward the exit, and her team followed.
“It’s a race then.” Adrian remained in place, not offering the courtesy of walking his guests to the door. “Whoever finds the amulet first wins. I’d wish you luck, but I don’t dare put that energy into the ether.”
Ember laughed dryly. “Later, loser.” She waved and walked out the door.