Wild Knight (Midnight Empire: The Tower #1)(35)

His gaze raked over me and I clamped down on a potential shiver.

“Better yet,” he said, “why don’t I show you?”





10





I expected to return to the palace. Instead we headed southwest across the city until we reached the formidable Tower. Members of the vampire royal guard stood sentry at the entrance. They clearly recognized the prince because they bowed when we approached. No one said a word as we passed through the gateway.

I took a moment to get the lay of the land. My mother had taught me everything she knew about the Tower and its dramatic history. Human royals had used this place to keep and torture prisoners and famous executions were held in its courtyard squares. I’d only ever viewed it from the outside though. It wasn’t open to the public, not that anyone desired to enter here of their own free will. It was the type of place that harbored unpleasant secrets. They seeped from the stones and created an atmosphere thick with fear and foreboding.

The prince paused on a cobblestone pathway. “Do you know ravens once flocked to this place? Perhaps you should tell your friend. He might wish to gather the gang back together.”

I stared at the imposing structure around us. It was hard not to gawk. In some ways, this place was more impressive than the palace.

“The kingdom and the Tower of London shall fall should the six ravens ever leave,” I said. Or something to that effect.

The prince cast a sidelong glance at me. “You know your history. Have you ever been here before?”

“Only the outside looking in.”

“Then prepare to be amazed. It’s even more impressive on the inside.”

“I think intimidating is the word you’re looking for.” He made it sound like we were about to tour a museum instead of the scene of centuries of suffering.

We walked to the innermost building in the castle.

“Welcome to the White Tower,” he said.

I tried to recall the importance of the White Tower. In more recent human history, it housed special collections. It made sense that a treasured stone would be here.

We climbed a flight of uneven stone steps until we reached a corridor. The prince flipped a switch on the wall and a row of lights illuminated our path.

“Thought you might require a little assistance,” he said.

Without the lighting, it would’ve been too dark to see the way ahead. I was acutely aware of the Highland Reckoning’s broad shoulder brushing against mine as we walked. A sensation pulsed through me and quickly began to throb. At first I thought it was the close proximity of a vampire—until I spotted the room ahead.

Power.

I detected immense power straight ahead. I couldn’t decide the nature of it, but it frightened me nonetheless. Power of any kind was terrifying in the wrong hands.

“Is the royal armory still in this building?”

His mouth split in a mild grin. “Would you like to see that as well? I’m not sure I trust you in a room full of weapons. I saw what you can do with a blade on a stick.”

I shot him an indignant look. “That blade on a stick is called Babe and she’s the finest axe in the realm.”

He strangled a laugh. “I’ll take your word for it.”

My face hardened. “You don’t have to. I can demonstrate if you like.” Threatening the Demon of House Duncan in the Tower. Smart, London.

We reached a room lined with display cases. Each one was highlighted by a small spotlight affixed to the wall above the case.

“This level was where the former royals once housed their jewels.”

“Are the jewels still in the possession of House Lewis?” Power thrummed inside me. If one of the jewels was enchanted and still within range, that might explain my reaction.

“I believe they were moved to storage to make room for the family’s own acquisitions.”

“Acquisitions like the stone of unknown origin.”

“Precisely.” He stopped in front of a case. “And here it is.”

I moved closer to examine the stone. It was fairly nondescript, only the size of a basic brick and the color of sand. A symbol was etched into the face—a trefoil knot.

“What does the symbol represent?” I asked, feigning ignorance. I knew exactly what it meant, but I was curious to test the prince’s knowledge on the subject.

“Immortality.”

Okay, so he was more than a pretty face. “And the stone the dealer described sounded like another one of these?”

He shook his head. “Not exactly. To our knowledge, there is only one of these in existence in the entire world. According to legend, this stone is the reason House Lewis managed to fight its way to the top of the food chain.”

And he was choosing to share this information with me? Was it because he, too, underestimated me? Whatever the reason, the disclosure was useful.

I inclined my head. “Tell me about this stone.”

“Do you always speak to people like that?”

“You’re not people.”

He arched an eyebrow. “You really have a thing about vampires.”

I offered an exaggerated huff. “You’re not people because you’re royal.”

“In that case, do you always speak to your superiors like that?”

I bit my tongue to keep myself from spewing venom. I was standing in a vampire stronghold with the Highland Horror himself. Pissing him off would not be a wise strategy.