“We need him for the war,” Saoirse said matter-of-factly. As if that would be enough to sway her.
Arianna clenched her fists. She couldn’t exactly deny the power of his magic. “Animals should be caged when they aren’t useful.” The entire room fell into shocked silence. Some turned to Rion, others to Saoirse and Alec, all holding their breath, waiting for an answer.
A voice echoed from the corner. “In Fiadh, when there is a discrepancy between parties, those individuals are permitted to sort their issues out for themselves.” Arianna’s gaze drifted to a female and her eyes widened. It took a few moments to remember the female’s name. Cahira. Raevina’s second. Three others stood just behind her, their clothing in tatters as well. Had Raevina met up with them on the field?
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Saoirse asked.
The female shrugged, reminding Arianna so much of Raevina that she wondered if the two were sisters. “Let them fight it out.”
“For what possible outcome?” Saoirse demanded, her mouth nearly gaping. “She could kill him and we don’t have time for … that.”
Cahira gestured to the High Lord. “It’s already been stated that we have time. Everyone can feel the animosity in the room, and since no one has made any move to relax, we might as well let some of the tension clear.”
Eyes flashed from one person to another, concern etched across their faces, but Arianna’s magic leapt at the possibility. This could be it. This could be her chance to finally be rid of this creature once and for all. She’d been close at the cabin, but here, she was in control. Ice crawled across her palms, ready to exact revenge.
The Demon met her gaze. His eyes traveled to one of her hands and back up her body, seeming to assess her before he let his pack hit the ground. “Fine.”
Saoirse whirled. “Are you serious?” She turned to Alec next, clearly waiting for him to put a stop to the madness.
“We’ve sparred before,” Rion stated simply.
“When?” Saoirse demanded.
“At my camp, before we knew.”
“And?” His sister pressed.
The ghost of a smirk crossed The Demon’s face, making Arianna’s blood boil. “And she put me on my ass.” That bit of information intrigued her. They’d sparred and she’d won?
“Yeah, that does nothing for my concern.”
The Demon rolled his shoulders, as if working tension from an injury. Had he gotten it while trying to protect her? “I know better now, I won’t hold back.”
Good, she wouldn’t either.
Saoirse gaped at him. “No magic.”
Arianna clenched her fist, but before she could protest, The Demon said, “She’s not wearing a shackle.”
“There are plenty of bracelets,” Saoirse said, her gaze focused on Arianna. “I won’t risk her killing my brother.”
Arianna met Saoirse’s gaze, the two females sizing one another up. For a moment, Arianna wondered if Saoirse would step forward and demand to fight her instead. She didn’t.
Arianna let the beginnings of a plan form in her mind. “Fine.” She stated. “Where are they?” It would be easy to let thebracelet fall from her wrist exactly when she needed it to. She just had to be fast. Faster than The Demon. She looked him over. He’d blocked her before with so little effort. Could she do it?
Yes. Yes, she could. One second. That’s all she needed. A quick distraction.
A servant approached Saoirse and presented her and The Demon with a pair of the iron bracelets. Arianna hated the way that servant kept their head bowed and eyes averted. They’d definitely been a slave. Their shackles had been removed, but they still weren’t free. Had they even bothered to ask the individual if they’d like a different job? She’d put Zylah in charge of such things once this war was over.
The Demon slid the iron over his wrist. Saoirse’s gaze locked on the crowd, searching for anyone who might try to attack her brother during his temporary moment of vulnerability.
“No magic,” Saoirse reminded them, looking pointedly at Arianna.
Another servant presented her with a bracelet and Arianna tried not to grimace at the scars around the female’s wrist. The servant met her eyes briefly and Arianna gave her a small smile before taking her bracelet and sliding it on.
Her magic bucked in response, like a horse frantically kicking against the walls of its stall.
It’s just for a minute, Arianna promised.Just until we get rid of him. For some reason, her magic didn’t seem fond of that idea either. It went utterly still. Her hair stood on end and a chill flew through her as if—as if—