“It will be a sweet thing to see the look in that devil of a creature’s eyes when he realizes he’s been outwitted.” He stood and paced slowly across the floor. “You see, Catherine, you need not fear for Cécile’s welfare, for she is the most precious thing in all the world, because with her in my possession, I’m in control of Prince Tristan.”

No, no, no!

“The half-bloods have rallied behind him again, and there are whispers that a great many others wish to see him on the throne. Mark my words, he intends to kill his father and take the crown. And there is nothing I would like better.” He spat out the last words. “With Thibault dead, I’ll be free of the foolish promises I made to him in my youth, and with Cécile in my care, Tristan will have to do what I say. I will control the trolls.”

From a troll tyrant to a human tyrant.

“What of Anushka?” Catherine pressed again. “What will become of her?”

“I’ll let her go,” he replied. “She’s survived on her own this long, I expect she can live a few generations more.”

“She deserves to be punished.”

“It doesn’t matter what she deserves,” Aiden said. “She’s all that keeps us safe from the trolls, and that makes her untouchable. Angering her would be madness.”

Catherine said nothing, but I could imagine his words were a bitter tonic to swallow, because they were the truth.

“You’ll have your pardon after our plans come to fruition,” Aiden said. “With what we will accomplish, my father will have no choice but to grant the request. We’ll need you to keep Cécile in check.”

Silence.

“Very well,” Catherine said. “I’ll do as you ask, but there are materials I need and preparations that must be made before I can cast the spell. Deal with her other friend, then come back an hour before sunset, and we will begin.”

“I’ll be here. And don’t even think of crossing me, witch.” The rear door opened and slammed shut with enough force to make the shop shudder.

An hour before sunset… That was all the time I had to escape. All the time I had to steal back the grimoire and find Anushka myself. Because if I failed, the cost to everyone I cared about in Trollus would be far worse than they ever dreamed possible.

Chapter 30

Tristan

The half-bloods had fallen slightly behind, so I took a moment’s worth of time to return to my rooms to change the bandages on my wrists. The corridors of my home seemed to swim around me, and I stumbled more than once on the smooth marble floors, my feet feeling like stones attached to my legs.

I had one of my sleeves up and a bandage half unraveled before I realized I wasn’t alone.

“Hello, Tristan.”

Tucking the bandage back into place, I slowly turned. Lessa, wearing her Anaïs-mask, was sprawled across my bed, head resting on one hand. “Get. Out,” I said.