A heavy knock disrupted our tirade, and in walked the rest of the Kings. Tanner, Micah and Emerson strolled into the enclosed space wearing severe expressions, followed by an energetic Fran yapping at their heels.
Micah’s golden eyes blazed as they clocked Camilla’s new crown imprint. “Time’s up.”
Spencer pouted, and Emerson laughed from the petulance. “You weren’t able to find out, were you? You’ve lost your touch, sis.”
My palm traced around Spencer’s waist to secure over her abdomen, preventing an all-out attack.
Tanner shifted towards Camilla, who had snapped quiet upon their entrance. “All must bow before death, little one,” he said. “It’s up to you how much pain you further endure.” He said it so casually, so nonchalant, you’d think he was discussing the weather, but the undertone could not be mistaken.
It was otherworldly as if he was the grim reaper himself. Extending an altruistic hand to the helpless soul that required a gentle guide to the afterlife.
Instinct screamed at me to watch, to assess and heed the warning that was Tanner King. Except I was never good at those.
Crouching before Fran, I reached out to give his tiny head a pat. I never made contact, his jaw snapping to take a bite out of my hand. The chihuahua was all bark no bite. I knew that for the fact that he had saved my life, and in doing so, had prevented our entire fated demise. Fran liked me, he just didn’t want to show it. I knew something about that.
“Are you hungry, boy?” I cooed. Fran cocked his head like he could understand me. For his heroic contribution, I was willing to give him a treat. “Lower the stretcher,” I said to the rest.
Tanner complied and Spencer grinned, following my thought process.
“What are you doing?” Micah asked, using her school teacher’s voice.
“Let him eat,” I said.
The Kings all shared a look, communicating through their eyes alone, none breaking contact until they came to a silent decision.
Spencer’s gaze cut to Fran. “Eat,Franny boy.”
The chihuahua attacked.
SPENCER
Hours passed. The sound of tearing flesh and elongated whimpers echoed off the walls.
Camilla’s body was an unrepairable mess, the damages escalating as Fran continued to chew on her flesh.
Somewhere in the last thirty minutes, I’d seen the remainder of her fight dwindle from her orbs. She had nothing left.
“Pleaseee…Pleas-se.Enough,”Camilla managed to sputter.
“Fran,” I commanded. And my perfect boy obeyed, his incisors retracing from her body.
Friction wired between us siblings, telepathically knowing that this was it—the moment we had coveted, obsessed and yearned for for over four fucking years.
The sovereign betrayed, the King estate blown to ash, our sister murdered. It all culminated in that moment.
We would finally identify the individual who had takeneverythingfrom us.
Taking a step forward, my voice nearly shook as I asked the same endless question. “Who do you work for? Who is the leader of Khaos?”
“Karena. Karena King.”
