The Cursed Deal ✓

Chapter 60

Her life had started with Zebulon's influence. It appeared as though he'd be on the other end of the deal, too. Faine reached back and pulled Ilian behind her as Zebulon approached, his steps unhurried and his eyes as bored as if he was simply walking down the street without a thought in his head. The seennouk was so difficult to read, always had been, and he used every tool in that expressionless face to his advantage.

"Ah, Faine," he purred. The entire hall of the palace shivered against his presence. The world watched the inevitable truth of what was about to happen, someone was about to die. And it was chance that Ilian died first, but truth that it'd be her. After that—she could do nothing to protect the mortal standing against her back, aiming to shoot at the approaching beast. No use. Zebulon could catch any bolt out of the air. "If my suspicions are correct, you've switched sides. What a pity." He made a show of looking her down. "Though I can't say I'm surprised, you've always been soft."

"Zebulon, you don't have to this," Faine lamented. She took one step back, therein by pushing Ilian away. The farther they were apart, the safer they were. But he continued to approach them, the talons on the tip of his wings scratching and gripping onto the marble tiles as if trying to rip one out and chuck it at her. "I can pay off my debts, right here, right now. We don't have to worry about the next two months."

He huffed a laugh and raked a clawed hand through his slick-backed hair. "Do you believe me to be so weak as to allow you freedom? After all, no one else has ever received such an honor."

The talon on his wing screamed against the marble and Faine jumped back, taking Ilian with her. Every step was increasingly difficult and the other end of the wall became closer with their attempt to flee but to say that Faine felt trapped was an understatement. Where were her friends when she needed them? When would the day come that something went in her favor? That hadn't happened in ninety-nine years. Nearly one-hundred.

"I suppose this is my fault, in a way," Zebulon said in his calmest tone. "I gave you everything. A home, a salary, lovers to warm your bed, and trainers to gift you skill. You were nothing before you came to me; a foolish lover, and by giving you this freedom—a mission away from home—you snapped the leash." His beak clicked in disappointment.

That simple sound caused Faine to flinch. After so many years of hearing it leave the orifice that was his mouth, she knew what was coming next. It was never anything good. Punishment came shortly after, as did a warning and a promise that if she messed up again, the consequences would become fatal. But they never did. This time, Zebulon wasn't planning on holding back. She saw the fire scolding in his eyes, brightening with every step she took.

He was more pissed than she'd ever seen. That alone was a feat for the decades.

As if he hardly noticed him before, Zebulon's stare darted to Ilian over Faine's shoulder. She wasn't tall enough to protect his head, but armor made of her flesh concealed his vital organs. Any other weapons—she could knock out of the air before they broke through his thin, weak skin. Faine extended her arms wide out at her sides and continued to push him back. At least he wasn't fighting this; the stench of fear filling her nose was suffocating her senses for even Ilian understood the inevitable.

Zebulon cocked his head to the side, unnaturally far. His feathers ruffled. "And for a mortal, no less. I never thought you'd stoop so low as to allow yourself to be trapped by a man that'll never live longer than you wish." He laughed darkly under his breath. "If you ask me, he's already dead."

"Zebulon, I will give you anything if you leave this between me and you. Do not involve him."

"Him?" He arched a red brow. "Is this your continual effort to leave his identity elusive? I received no information on a mortal in your report, yet I trusted you to give me everything you knew about Silver Willow. From the start, you went against me, and I have yet to see thanks for all I've done."