But it was done now. I’d made my decision. I’d taken it upon myself to sacrifice her life in favor of ours. It was too late for regrets or second thoughts.
Two murders. In the space of a few days.
Who will be next?
Chapter 6: Kiev
Mona is darker than I imagined.
I still didn’t understand what fate would befall Tiarni or even what she would confess to Rhys, but I knew enough about the warlock by now to know that he wouldn’t let her off lightly.
As Mona had predicted, Tiarni woke up at about nine o’clock. She looked up at me and smiled seductively. She clearly didn’t remember anything about Mona interrupting us.
“Good morning, Kiev.”
I kept Tiarni occupied in my room until I heard a knock at the door. I opened it to see Efren, her ginger brother, standing there.
“Rhys wants to see you both now.”
I walked back into the bedroom.
“It’s your brother,” I said. “Get dressed.”
“Why?”
“Rhys needs to talk to us.”
Panic filled her eyes. I picked up her gown from the floor and helped her get into it. Catching her by the hand, I led her out of the room, hoping Efren wouldn’t detect anything strange about her behavior as we walked. Thankfully, he walked ahead of us so he didn’t.
The more we neared the dining hall, the more Tiarni dragged her feet. I picked her up and carried her the rest of the way. I put her down once we arrived outside the entrance.
Efren glanced at his sister just before we entered. “You look so pale.” He frowned, lifting a hand to her cheek. “It’s nothing to worry about, Tiarni. It’s just Rhys and I going through procedure.”
Afraid at what he was seeing in her, I tugged on Tiarni’s arm and pulled her into the room. Rhys sat at the end of the long table, leaning back in his chair, one boot resting on the seat next to him.
He remained silent, watching us as we each pulled up a chair.
Once we were sitting, he cleared his throat.
His eyes settled on me first.
“Novalic, I admit that I barely know you, but your siblings have been loyal to us for many years now.” He picked up a quill and placed it down on a piece of parchment. “Tell me, where were you the night the humans—”
“I did it,” Tiarni blurted out. Her knuckles were white as she clenched her fists together on the table, her nostrils flaring as she began to take in shallow breaths. “I freed the humans.”
Efren’s jaw dropped.
Rhys was also stunned into silence, his lips parting as he stared at her.
“Tiarni,” Efren gasped. “What are you saying?”
“I did it. I set all the humans free, both on this island and also back home!”
“Why would you do that?” Rhys spoke this time, his voice low and menacing.
“Because of you!” Tiarni screamed, jumping up from her seat and walking over to Rhys, glaring down at him. “All I’ve ever wanted is for you to return my love. But every time, you turned me away for that scrawny blonde. Even Kiev I only slept with hoping to make you jealous!” She sank to her knees and began sobbing. “I’ve taken your insults for too long, Rhys. I needed to do something to soothe the wounds you’ve caused me.”
Rhys stood up, towering over her, his chest heaving.
Efren jumped up and placed his hand over Tiarni’s forehead. He looked up at Rhys with desperate eyes.
“Can’t you see she’s sick? Rhys, listen to me. There’s no way in hell my sister would have done this.” He turned to face Tiarni and shook her. “What are you saying? Of course you didn’t do this.”
In two strides Rhys had walked over and pulled Efren away from his sister. He reached for her ear and twisted it until she yelped in pain.
“Once and for all, I will punish you for this stubborn infatuation you have with me.” He threw her down, her head bashing against the stone floor.
Rhys picked up his pen and parchment and, glaring at Efren, said, “This investigation is over.”
He reached back down to pick up Tiarni. He caught hold of her long hair and pulled her into a standing position.
Tears streamed down her cheeks and her lips quivered as she breathed, “I-I also murdered Celice.”
A stunned silence fell upon the hall.
“Celice followed me back home,” Tiarni cried. “I killed her and dropped her body in the sea. R-Rhys, I only did it because—”
Efren yelled and gripped Tiarni by the throat, choking her before she could utter another incriminating word.
But it was too late.
Rhys burned with a fury so wild, I could practically feel his blood boiling. Tiarni screamed as he pounced on her, and they both vanished.