A Kingdom of Bloodshed (A Crimson Court Series)

*¬*Chapter Fifteen*¬*

              Magic. It courses through my veins, and burns deep in my belly. It's warm and gentle, yet the power I feel hidden within is dangerous. It's uncharted and untrained. I'm a lethal weapon waiting to be used.

"Althea?" Arrow's voice calls out to me, her tone indicating worry and caution. "Can you hear me? Are you ok?"

I lay there in silence, breathing in the smells. Everything feels heightened. Each sense is now on high alert, it's overwhelming.

"Miss Alinac?" Kaz's voice ripples to me. The propriety causes my skin to tingle. But there is something else that reaches for him.

Some golden string that sways in the void between our souls as it searches for him. Reaching out.

Mine. It whispers. I've never reacted like this before. Everything is different.

"Thea?" Both of them call in unison. This time I slowly turn my eyes towards them, hearing the gasp from Arrow as she whispers, "By the gods Thea... your eyes. They're glowing."

Something rumbles in my chest, making my skin feel warm and my fingers curl into knots. "What happened to you?" She asks me. Kaz remains silent. His face guarded and jaw clenched.

Finally opening my mouth, I let out a heaved sigh before asking "What happened?" Both of them regard the other before Arrow gingerly lays on the edge of my bed, her hand reaching for mine.

"You saved me, Thea. You pushed me out of the way so that Augustus's blast wouldn't kill me. You... you were unresponsive for a moment but then life was coming back to your body. You began to glow and then it vanished."

I blink, "I glowed?" Kaz's hard gaze is trained on the wall as he grits out, "Yes." He's tense, almost like he's expecting me to freak out. But why would I? Everything finally makes sense.

"That's cool." I whisper. His eyes shoot to mine, their colour turning liquid before solidifying. "It is." He murmurs in return. I'm about to say more when suddenly the door to my room bursts open.

"Where is she?!" Augustus stomps into the room, his face contorted into anger but then it 'softens' when he sees me. "Oh Althea darling, you're alright." His words make me nauseous. The fake sickly sweet tone causes my stomach to roil.

Or maybe that's the magic pulsing in my veins. I can't be certain.

He pushes Arrow out of the way and takes her place on the side of my bed. His arms go around me as he tugs me tightly to his chest.

"You're ok. I've got you, sweetheart."

I hate him. I hate this male with everything in me, but I remember Myra's words, how I have to play along. To pretend.

I would much rather not. The idea of sticking a hot poker in my eye is far more appealing.

Dark laughter ripples within my mind and when I turn my head to peer over Augustus's shoulder I see Kaz smirking at me.

Are you inside my head, High Lord?

I wouldn't dare dream of it. Although I've never been able to hear your thoughts before. It seems you've opened a floodgate and I can hear all of them.

How can he hear my thoughts? Why is this possible? Is it a Mate thing? Continuing to grip Augustus I send out another thought, to see if he hears me or if it was simply a fluke.

Do you spy on all your guests by reading their minds? Kaz's deep huff of laughter breaks the tense silence in the room. He covers it up by pretending to cough when both Arrow and Augustus turn to him, frowning. Augustus turns his attention back to me and asks with fake concern in his eyes, "Thea, sweetheart. Are you ok?" Deciding I must play my part convincingly I sigh, bury my face in his neck and nod my head. "Yes, I'm alright, thank you for being here." But to Kaz I project, I have something to tell you in private. It's important.