Kingdom of the Feared (Kingdom of the Wicked, #3)(35)

“Where is Wrath?”

She scanned me from head to toe, barely sparing my injury more than a cursory glance as her attention paused on my forearm. On the serpent, crescent moons, and flowers that permanently marked my skin past my elbow now. The very same tattoo Wrath had as well.

Her lip curled back in disgust. “Do you find it odd that he can sense your general whereabouts through those hideous matching tattoos, and you cannot?” She tsked when I pressed my lips together, refusing to answer. “I’d wish to know why the magic only travels one way.”

I wasn’t quite sure that was the truth any longer, but I didn’t reveal something had shifted when we’d completed the physical aspect of our bond.

“Well, I’d wish to know why you’re so brutally annoying, but none of us are getting what we want tonight.” Envy had moved supernaturally fast and now stood beside me. His mouth twisted into a cruel smirk when Vittoria snarled at him, baring her teeth. “Get to the point of your visit so we can continue plotting your demise in peace.”

“My sister would never harm me.”

“Oh, this is amusing.” Envy tossed his head back and laughed. “Let me see if I’ve got this right—you maimed her love, injured her with your overgrown lapdogs, set her in a cage, and believe she’s not plotting to find her way back to him and destroy you if you stand in her way?”

“She would never.” Vittoria bristled. Though the look she cut in my direction seemed less certain. “We’re blood.”

“And he is her fate. As she is his. ‘As above, so below.’ They are the balance. Light and dark. One fallen from above, and one created in the underworld below.” Envy’s spine straightened, and all his amusement vanished. Something inside me clicked into place. His words felt right—like a key sliding into a lock. “Did you not listen to a word I said when you’d invaded my House and fucked my second? You cannot win against love. It is a force more powerful, more terrifying, than any magic you possess or fear you inspire. Even now.”

I stilled. His words brought on a recollection that seemed important. Nonna had said love was the most powerful magic, that it would always guide me where I needed to go. I’d been convinced she meant the love of my family, but knowing what I did now, I wasn’t as sure. Especially since she’d said that right after pointing out I’d been Marked by a prince of Hell.

“Fate is an unfaithful bitch. Just like love.” Vittoria seethed. “With the right prompting, her head can be turned. Just like Pride’s was.”

“Was his head really turned?” Envy countered. “I wouldn’t be as sure.”

“I will not permit my sister to be bound by such foolish constraints as fate or love.”

Envy flicked his gaze to me. “I’d love to see you try to stop her.”

I was through with being spoken about as if I weren’t present. And I was not without power, no matter if I’d been taken against my will. I would bend this meeting to my advantage. Before my sister could retort, I quietly cast a truth spell. I was still a witch, but my magic was closer to that of a goddess now. The spell lashed out and gripped my twin, squeezing her tightly. When I spoke, my voice was laced with pure dominance. With the surge of power, I sounded more demonic than any of the princes ever did. “Where is Wrath?”

Vittoria’s eyes nearly bulged as she tried to fight off the magical command. I fed the spell more power, watching coldly as blood trickled from her nose, dripped onto her pretty gown.

Her teeth ground together; sweat dotted her brow. It was all happening so quickly, but I’d crush her skull and break her mind to get what I wanted. Envy chuckled at my side, likely sensing my growing savagery. Her attention shot to him, glaring. “My temple.”

“WHERE?”

Vittoria’s nostrils flared. She was strong, but I was fueled by rage. “The Shifting Isles.”

“Did you murder Greed’s commander?”

“No.”

“Did you hire someone to murder her?”

Vittoria bared her teeth again but managed to keep her answer to herself.

The magic had already been receding, so I wasn’t sure if she lied about murdering Greed’s commander or not, but it gave me a sliver of hope that she hadn’t. “Thank you, sister. That wasn’t too painful, was it?”

She staggered away from the bars of my cell, her expression murderous as she swiped the blood from her nose. “You’ll regret that.”

I made sure to mimic her cold look from earlier, my voice full of malice. “Like you’ll soon regret locking me in here, keeping me from Wrath.”

“I warned you.” Envy practically bounced on the balls of his feet. “You struck the match; I hope you meant it when you said you enjoyed the burn.”

I ignored their side argument and stared at my twin. “Did you send the enchanted skull to Greed?”

“Anyone with the correct spell can enchant a skull. Even a prince of Hell.”

It wasn’t a direct answer, but it did make me wonder again if Greed had been behind the skull. Thus far, I hadn’t found anything to prove he didn’t send it to himself.

“Yes,” Envy drawled, “even lowly demon princes can do parlor tricks. Just like a goddess.”

“Have any of your wolves been attacked by demons or gone missing?” I asked. “Aside from the coup you just pulled with me and Wrath.”