âYou came to beg?â she jeered, the edge in her voice acid with scorn.
The army behind her stirred, their eyes on us. My hand clamped hard on my dagger, and I stepped forward, meeting her gaze with all the resolution I could summon.
âHardly,â I said, chilling. âWeâre here for the antidote.â
And then, the laughter sliced through the tenseâladen air, its sharp, cruel edge cutting like a knife.
âAnd what makes you think Iâll give it to you?â she said, the words dripping off her voice like disgust.
Evelyn stepped forward, âBecause if you donât, you wonât like the consequences.â her voice was even. But my heart thundered against my ribs.
Kaida cocked her head, the faint amusement in her eyes.
fluttering into something colder. âOh, Luna keeper,â she said, stretching out the title with deliberate disdain, âYouâre out of your depth.â
Behind her, the army stirred, their hands resting on the hilts of weapons, their eyes fixed on us. I glanced briefly at Trajan, who gave a slight nod, his hand tightening on his blade.
âWeâll see about that,â I said, stepping forward beside Evelyn. My voice sounded very confident, even as my stomach curled in a knot.
Chapter 294
Kaida smirk deepened, and her bow dropped just a fraction, though the threat in her gaze didnât soften. âThis should be interesting,â she muttered, her voice dripping with mockery.
6/7
The fire crackled between us, the light casting dancing shadows across her face.
âYou came all this way,â she went on, circling slowly, âdesperate and outnumbered, hoping what? That Iâd change my mind? Take pity on you and hand over the cure?â
âYou underestimate us,â I shot back, meeting her tone with. one of my own. âYou are underestimating your leverage, overestimating it..
She laughed, the sound weird.
âBold words for a woman whoâs so close to losing it all. Tell me, Luna, how far for him would you go? Where does your breaking point lie?â
I balled my fists and struggled against lashing out. âYouâd find I donât break that easily,â I replied, stepping closer.
She stopped, her smile not quite so wide. âPerhaps,â she said, more subdued, âbut that is not to say you would not bend.â
There the words just hung in the air, heavy and unyielding.
The silence drew out, disturbed only by fire crackles and leaves rustling softly in the wind, until she leaned forward, lowering
her voice almost to a whisper.
âMake your choice, Luna. Tick tock.â