Aurelie swallowed. “Yes.”
“I am a descendant of Prince Florian, who was exiled by his brother, Prince Aciano. I assume you know the history.”
Aurelie nodded.
“Most of what you’ve learned is true, although there are lies that were spread by Aciano after Florian was exiled. Namely, that Florian attempted to murder his brother. In fact, it was the other way around.”
Despite the tacit air of danger that had descended around her, Aurelie couldn’t help but latch on to what Everard was saying. She’d always believed there had to be more to Florian’s story.
“When Florian cursed this kingdom, he did so by thinning the veil between our world and the demonic world through the use of dark magic. Why do you suppose no one ever lifted the curse, Aurelie?”
She shook her head. “I don’t—I assume because it was extremely difficult or dangerous.” What elsecouldit be? What other possible reason could justify keeping such a curse in place?
Everard, keenly aware of Aurelie’s rapt attention, lowered hisvoice, almost forcing her to lean closer. “It is both of those things, but there is a far more sinister force at play. The curse hasn’t been lifted because those in power don’twantit to be lifted. Wisteria has stayed exactly as it is, preserved like an insect in amber, because of a choice made by Prince Aciano and his father. A choice that has been perpetuated by every generation since. Fear of progress has become so ingrained in our society that there is no longer a will to eradicate demons. And so everything remains the same.”
Aurelie spoke without thinking, so eager to believe what he was saying. “What would it take to undo the curse?”
Everard smiled. “I was hoping you would ask me that, Aurelie. Because it’s where you come into play in all of this.”
Despite her fear, Aurelie couldn’t help feeling a surge of hope. There was still a chance that she hadn’t made a terrible mistake. Still a chance for redemption. “But creating this portal will spawn aterribledemon. How is that meant to close the veil between worlds?”
“This portal is a mirror image of one originally created by the court mage, Revenin, which opened the doorway to the demonic realm.Thisportal will send demons back from whence they came, and once Wisteria is free of all demons, we will destroy the portal and end the curse for good.” His tone turned almost chiding. “Surely even you can see that one final demon, no matter how powerful, is a sacrifice worth making.”
Aurelie had the distinct impression thatshewas also a sacrifice worth making to him. Perhaps she was. If Everard was telling the truth, and a single invention could end demonic activity once and for all, then her life meant little in comparison.
But would that be enough to save the people around her? If Everardwas correct and the Crown wanted the curse to stay in place, then anyone defying that order would face severe consequences. There was no possible way Uncle Leo wouldn’t be punished for this, even if Aurelie could find a way to contain the demon.
A terrible certainty stole over her. That her act of rebellion, of finding purpose, had spiraled into something dark and treacherous. No matter how much a part of her longed for a world that could progress without the threat of demons, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this path would lead to something she couldn’t yet comprehend.
Aurelie finally managed to stand, though her eyes never left Kobal. “I am not saying I disagree with your cause, Mr. Everard. If anyone in this kingdom would agree with you, it is me. But I don’t exist in a vacuum. I have people around me who deserve to be safe. I can’t endanger my uncle. I won’t.”
Everard rose, towering over her in much the same way Miles did. She hated it.
“I was afraid you might say that. You’re principled in your rebellion, Miss Blake. I’ll give you that.”
She couldn’t help lifting her chin.
Everard grinned, his eyes colder than ever. “Which is why I suspected I might need some collateral to help you see things my way. Nothing like a little familial loyalty to force the hand.”
Chapter 21
Aurelie
Aurelie didn’t beg. She didn’t even cry. Instead, she locked her knees to keep them from trembling. “What have you done to my uncle?”
Even now, even after admitting how cruel he was, Everard wore what she imagined he considered a pleasant smile. “He’s quite well. I can take you to him now, if you’d like.”
He showed her to a locked door leading down to a basement, Kobal’s rancid breath hot on her back. Aurelie gasped when they reached the bottom. Uncle Leopold was trapped in a cage like a wild animal. He was bound and gagged, though—to her enormous relief—he didn’t appear injured.
“Uncle Leo!” She started forward but was stopped by Kobal’s low growl.
“He’s fine,” Everard said over the muffled cries of her uncle. “And he will be released as soon as you do what I’ve asked.”
Uncle Leopold was trying to say something to her, but she couldn’t understand him around the gag or the sound of her own blood rushing in her ears. Hot tears coursed down her cheeks. What a useful idiot she’d proven, so eager for the praise of a stranger that she’d allowed herself to be manipulated, allowed her own uncle to be kidnapped.
“I’m so sorry,” she managed. “I’ll get you out of there, Uncle Leo. I promise.”
He shook his head no, tears making his dark eyes glimmer in the dim room, but before she could respond, Everard was shoving her back toward the stairs. “I’m afraid our timeline has been accelerated a bit, given the rising suspicions of the Iron Guard. You have until the end of next week to complete the portal,” he said as he sat her down in the armchair again. “All but the final rune, the one that looks vaguely like an open eye.”