Now I examine the broken, peeling, and fading spines of century-old books all collected in one formal sitting room. Where has he taken me? His place of peace? Somewhere different? Wherever it is, I can feel the magic that presses in all around me as if every single wall is spelled.
With one finger, I touch the shelf, checking it for dust before I brush over the binding of one of the books. Pieces of the cover flake off, and I wipe the debris off on my pants with a frown that turns into a scowl as a familiar voice comes from behind me.
“What are you doing here?” Basilus snaps.
I plaster a smile to my face and slip my hands into my pockets as I turn to look at him. “Father brought me. What are you doing here?”
“I’m being useful.” His arms are crossed over his chest, his shoulder holding him up as he tilts into a door frame. There is only darkness behind him, no hints to where he might have come from.
“Are you?”
He growls under his breath. “I may play these games with you in court, but here, I do not have the time.”
I take two steps and lower to the arm of an overstuffed green couch. He does make a point. I could keep playing games, or I could finally figure out what the fuck is going on in my court. “Where exactly is here?”
That earns me an eye roll.
“You don’t even know where you are?” He laughs, stepping out of the doorframe to wander into an open kitchen. He pauses, his laugh cut short. “Wait... did you finally grow the balls to actually ask father to be a part of his royal affairs?” He snatches an apple from a bowl of fruit. “Did you ask him about marrying off Violence?” His teeth sink through the flesh with asnap.
“I’m waiting to hear back from Dalziel.”
Basilus picks up another apple and tosses it through the air. I catch it with one hand. “Maybe you aren’t as worthless as I thought.”
“Watch it, you sound a lot like father.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Another bite and juice drips down his chin.
A lot of things.
“Do you know where he went, by the way?” I ask instead.
He gives a noncommittal shrug. “Unwanted guests knocking on the door.”
Turning the apple over in my hands, I look around the room. We sit in the living space that opens into a kitchen and dining room and farther back, a long dark hall. There are other doors that I haven’t opened yet. Honestly, I’m nervous to do much poking around here without my father to explain. Knowing him,knowing Basilus, a monster could jump out of a shadow at any point and try to eat me.
“How long have you known about this place?”
He smirks. “Three years.”
I swallow hard.
“Maybe you aren’t Daddy’s favorite after all.”
I’m still hung up on the amount of time he and Father were able to keep this a secret from me when he pulls open a drawer. Papers ruffle before he pulls something out.
“Here.” Basilus juts out his hand. “I call this place The Compound. I have high hopes that since you are here, you and I might start working toward the same goals. I trust Father’s judgment if he thinks it’s time for you to join us.”
“What goals?” I take his offering, tossing the apple to the couch before unfolding a large map.
He ignores me and points at the paper. “It’s all one level. Most things are clearly marked. If it isn’t marked...” My eyes tip up to his, and he grins. “don’t go there. Trust me.”
There is no way in hell I’m ever trusting Basilus. All that this has proven is that he is a better liar than I have ever given him credit for. I resume my perusal of the map. There’s a reason he likely calls it The Compound. Thousands of little structures have been built and are connected by narrow halls between them.Thousands.
“How far underground are we?” I ask.
“Far.”
Shadows cloud the farthest corner of the living room. Lights flicker all around us as our father appears just as suddenly as he had dragged me here. He groans as he lands, and I look up to him.
