Moonlight Prince (Vampire Girl #4)(19)

"Yes," I say, recalling our talks over the past weeks. "And the answer is still no. I do not have time to train."

Varis raises his voice over our hushed whispers. "Your powers will grow whether you train or not. One day, you will lose control."

"What do you expect me to do?" I gesture at the ball. At the frivolous festivities that waste my time. "I must find Arianna. Every part of me must be focused on this task. Without her, nothing will matter. Nothing."

"I know," says Varis, dropping his gaze to the floor. "But have you considered what you will do when you find her? Metsi is no weak foe. She has the Water Spirit on her side. She has an army of Fae willing to die in fanaticism. And she knows how to use her powers to full effect. What do you have?"

I glance at Baron and pat his head. "I have defeated Wadu before."

"I heard. But that was only the Spirit. Fighting both Spirit and Druid at once is another matter entirely. Not to mention the army she wields. And as I recall, you did not fare well against Oren…"

Oren. The Fire Druid who nearly killed me. The reason my powers awakened. "I will find a way to defeat Metsi," I say, turning away, not wishing to discuss this further.

Varis sighs again. "Please, let me teach you at least—"

Something catches my eye. The man in white. The one in the mask. He's no longer dancing. Instead, he reaches into his vest. In the blink of an eye, he draws a dagger.

And throws it at Varis.

There is no time to think. To plan. Only instinct drives me. The instinct of battle. Of survival. I dash forward, flinging my arm into the air. And I catch the dagger by the handle. A foot from the Druid's face. For a moment, he is not even aware of the happenings around him. For a moment, he is still finishing his sentence to me. But then he notices what has transpired. And his face fills with dread.

Someone claps. The man in white.

"As fast as ever, brother," he says, his voice smooth and thick. "Maybe even faster." He pulls off his mask, revealing his bald head and pristine dark skin, and walks over to join us, sitting at the table.

Niam.

I point his own dagger at his chest. "How dare you assault my guest?"

He shrugs casually. "How dare you harbor a Druid? As I see it, things now stand equal."

Scales and balances. That is what Niam is. The Prince of Greed. The Prince of Wealth. His white robes glitter under the flickering lights. Gold buttons run down his vest, and a sapphire adorns his neck. His smile is charming, perhaps even seductive to some. He appears as a friend, a close confidant I can trust, even after all he has done. That is the way with Niam. People always seek to be his friend, his ally, even as he stabs them in the back. Even I, for a moment, forget his true nature. But then I remember. He is my enemy, even though he comes as my guest.

"Why the charade?" I ask, gesturing at the mask in his hand as I return to my seat across from him. We are apparently playing this casual. I can do casual. More or less.

"Oh this?" he holds up his mask. "Just a bit of fun. A chance to see Stonehill as a common man. I do the same in my realm you know. Walk the streets and inspect the stalls under the guise of a traveler. You learn so much about the people this way, of what they truly think of their rulers." He grabs an apple from a platter and takes a big loud bite. I notice everyone is staring at us, anticipating what we will do next. Niam points at me. "They like you, the people. Even though you are a prince, even though you are a Druid, somehow, they relate to you. They praise you for driving away Levi. Some even admire your strict feeding regulations. They call for change, they do. And that is what they see you as. A symbol of change." He puts his feet up on one of the banquet tables. "We could use this to our advantage."

"We?" I chuckle at his delusion.

"We," he says, smiling, his teeth bright and perfect. "Why not? With Levi out of the picture, as it were, I need a new ally."

"You turn so easily?"

He looks surprised. "Don't we all? I recall a time not so long ago when we were allies, just before Arianna arrived to this bloody world. Perhaps we can put aside our differences once again. Not allow a woman to get in between brothers."

"What do you propose?" I do not truly seek an alliance, but I do need peace while I search for Arianna.

"Your realm is in disarray," he says plainly. "Between the raid from the Outlanders, the Fae battle, and Levi's occupation, your people have suffered and your goods have withered. You need wood and stone to repair your very castle. You need food to feed your people through the winter. I can provide all. In exchange for a small service."

Right. Niam doesn't know the meaning of the word small. "What service?"

"Your help. And your army." He takes another bite of his apple. "With Levi missing, I seek to… secure… his realm."

I snicker at the audacity. "You mean conquer it?"

"I mean save. For without a proper ruler it will fall into chaos soon enough. Levi's men however, do not wish to give away their power. His generals squabble over Crimson Castle even as we speak."

"You have an army," I say, waving the dagger in my hand. "Take the castle yourself."

Niam rubs his chin. "I could, but many would fall in the battle. With your forces aligned with mine, perhaps even Dean's and Asher's as well, we could force them to surrender. No bloodshed."