Ring of Mal [18+] ✾ D.A.R.K Knights Book 2

Ring of Mal ✦ Chapter 16

Anastasia's POV

The first thing I find when I return to my room is a recent letter from Mirat, handed to me from Jamal as he waits at my door. I take it and dismiss the servant so he doesn't linger, while I go into my room to have a moment of privacy.

I see Jamal stoked the fire and the room is already warm, so I sit on the couch nearest to the embers as I read Mirat's words.

Dear Princess,

Change of plans, I'm inviting not just you but all your Crows to this dinner. We will all share tonight. We'll discuss our future at the same table head. Each will be expected to speak their mind without reprimand, please advise them to speak freely.

A promise is one thing, Ana.

Actions speak louder than words.

Your loyalty and submission will be tested tonight.

Meet me with your Crows at Stable Rise, a restaurant that caters at dusk and is protected by the very edges of the Mirrored Kingdom.

Yours,

Mirat

I purse my lips as a feeling of anxiety flutters through my stomach. I knew Mirat was smart, I knew to be weary of him. This letter once again causes speculation of how well I knew this game of politics and power. He was still testing me. It's like he was my match. He kept outwitting me in little ways. A man full of surprises. Seemingly in step if not out front, always anticipating me. I do not like this letter.

I sit silently with the letter in hand, my confidence slipping away briefly.

My nostrils flare as I smell blood, and I look up and across the room, seeing a glass with freshly spilled blood on the windowsill, next to a rose. I stand up and make my way closer, it's courtesy of Philis, bled by Jamal... so formal, everything here was documented. Even that on the little note next to the glass.

I drink it, and as I close my eyes, I see my Daemons lurking in the Eye. The blood draws them closer to me. A faint version of me sits on that bed that they first tied me too. They wait around like bats in that space, frozen in place. Looking like grey stone statues, until they turn and their red eyes fixate on my appearance.

I quickly lower the glass and open my eyes, wiping my lips clean.

Seeing the Cren, their demonic red eyes and Axe's poison eyes – my arachnids seemed to be laying in wait for their web to stir. They were too quiet. I did not like that either. As a Seer I trust my gut, and right now my instincts tell me something is very awry. It's as if... something bad is coming for me.

"Ana."

I spin around and I see Rurx has come back, opening the door silently.

I smile and walk toward him, glad for the distraction.

Rurx approaches me also, he looks worried. I move past him and take a seat back on the couch. He follows and kneels before me, cocking a brow, dressed in a fresh linen shirt and clean britches.

"You're back early," I observe while reaching out and poking at his wet curls, drying quickly.

Rurx nods, "We overhead some whispers... so we ended the training early. I do have some news. It's frightening. So brace yourself," no wonder he is kneeling by me, hand on my hand, over my knee.

I raise my head and place my other hand over his, overlapping one another.

I guess, "Has my father been assassinated or killed?" I whisper my greatest fear, that my family has been hurt.