My stomach tightened, and Caladwyn reached across his chest to pluck an invisible piece of lint off his jacket. “I suppose I should thank you, Lyra. I have been looking for an excuse to end his life for centuries.”
A chill shot down my spine at the fae’s casual tone, and I frantically ran through my options. I could try to lie my way out of this — say that Kaden hadn’t put me up to it. Though that hardly solved my current predicament. I could try to fight my way out — a risk considering Caladwyn’s age and the strength of his magic.
Or I could bargain.
My insides soured at the last option. I didn’t even want to consider how badlythatcould end.
Never bargain with a faerie.
I knew fae like Caladwyn were master manipulators who could twist their words with such incredible cunning that I had no hope of seeing the full consequences of the bargain until it was already struck. I would be a fool to attempt such a thing.
But then I thought of Imogen trapped in that house with Silas. I thought of the witches who’d come before her — witches who’d been sold or tortured until they did Silas’s bidding. I thought of all the ways he might punish her to torment me, and I knew I had to try.
“Is it really that valuable?” I asked, dropping my skirts and stepping out from behind the desk. “The cipher, I mean.”
Caladwyn’s eyes flashed with distrust. He knew I was up to something, but I had his interest.
“It is not the most valuable item in this house, but it has its uses.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Itmustbe valuable if you would risk a war with Kaden as punishment for my trying to steal it.”
Caladwyn’s eyes narrowed at the dare in my words — and my bald-faced dig for information.
“My cousin may be powerful, but he is not so powerful that I could ignore the insult of him sending in ahuntressto take what is mine.”
“It would seem your fight is with me, then.”
Caladwyn chuckled. “Hardly.”
I bristled at the implication — that I was just a lowly huntress, unworthy of his wrath.
“That drawer is sealed by magic,” Caladwyn mused, his expression turning calculating. “How did you manage to unlock it? I have never heard of a hunter with that sort of . . . ability.”
I allowed myself a small smile. “Why would I tell you? You just said you planned to kill Kaden. I can assume you plan on killing me, too.”
“I never said that.” Something sinister flashed in his eyes. “My fight is not with you, huntress. I make it a point not to make enemies of those who could prove useful, such as a Coranthe witch.”
A low thrum of warning stirred in my gut. Heknewwhat I was — or what Kaden said I was.
“What do you want?” I asked, fighting to keep the tremor out of my voice.
“Oh, I want many things,” said Caladwyn in a silky tone. “One of the perks of near immortality is that you have many centuries to realize your desires. I can afford to be patient.”
It was all I could do not to roll my eyes.
“You may take the cipher. Have it — it’s yours. In exchange, should you ever visit my homeland, you shall not set foot in the Quartz Palace. My people do not take kindly to thieves.”
I blinked, my mind working in fits and starts as I mulled over what he’d just said. The exact phrasing of a fae bargain was important, and I knew that Caladwyn had chosen every word with absolute precision.
“Where is your homeland?” I asked.
“Anvalyn, of course.” The faerie kingdom.
I frowned. Even if Iwantedto visit the Otherworld, it was impossible since the portals had been closed off.
“And this Quartz Palace . . . it’s located in Anvalyn?”
“It is. In the capital city of Anthelby.”
