The Rose Society (The Young Elites #2)(74)

“Do you know what’s happening?” I ask Sergio.

He nods. “The rumors have been flying through the city and the villages,” he replies. “The queen has demoted Teren from his Lead Inquisitor title. He is to leave tomorrow to inspect the southern cities.”

“Demoted?” Violetta exclaims. “The queen relies so heavily on his power. Why would she send him away?”

Magiano shrugs, but his eyes glow bright. “He either upset her, she finds him unreliable, or she has no more use for him.”

“Teren has angered my sister,” Enzo says. “Disobeyed her. He will do it again.”

“But he’s the queen’s lackey,” Magiano says. “He—”

Enzo raises an eyebrow. “I remember that rumor. He has been in love with my sister since he was a boy. He would give his life for her, but he will not be sent away from her side. Not even by her. He is convinced that her well-being is in his hands.”

Even though I don’t know the details of what happened, I know immediately who must have come between them. Raffaele. He is working his power, and the Daggers are closing in. That means Beldain’s navy may make their move soon. I look down at the scene. Why are they burning the camps?

And then it comes to me. If the queen has sent Teren away, he must be furious. If the queen has rejected his wish to destroy all of Kenettra’s malfettos, then he might have turned his back on her. He is going to carry out his plans, one way or another. He will kill the malfettos today.

He will burn them all.

“We have to save them,” I whisper. “And I think I know a way.”

Pale eyes suddenly flash in front of my face, directly on the opposite side of the glass—as if Teren were right there, floating in midair, lunging for me. I choke on a scream and stagger back from the window. I lash out to shield myself. Teren, he’s here, he’s going to kill me.

“Adelina!” It’s Violetta, and her cool hands have grabbed my wrists. She’s pleading with me. “It’s okay. You’re okay. What happened?”

I blink as I look at her, then back at the windowpane. The pale eyes are no longer there. Sergio and Violetta stare at me in concern and confusion. Enzo’s lips are tight. Magiano has a serious look that I rarely see on him.

One of my illusions, run rampant. It’s happening more frequently now.

Enzo approaches me first. He offers a hand, then helps me to my feet with one effortless tug. I tremble at his touch. “Steady, little wolf,” he says gently. The words are so achingly familiar that I want to collapse against him. Behind him, Magiano looks away.

I shake my head and let my hand fall away from his. “I thought I saw something,” I mutter. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure—?” Sergio starts to ask.

“I’m fine,” I spit back. He blinks, startled at the venom in my voice. I’m startled too. Immediately I tone it down, then sigh and run a hand through my short hair. Beside me, Enzo watches me carefully. I know he felt the way my energy lurched through our tether. He knows. But he doesn’t say anything.

I can’t stand everyone looking at me. “I’m fine,” I repeat, as if saying it enough times will make it true. The image of the pale eyes appears again in my mind. I shudder. Suddenly, the room feels too small, the air too thin. I turn away from everyone and hurry out into the narrow hall leading down to the stairs.

“Hey.”

Magiano catches my arm and spins me around. His pupils are round now, and his eyes a soft honey. He frowns. “Another illusion out of control, wasn’t it?” he says. “Has this always happened with your powers?”

“It’s not unusual,” I grumble, even though I know it’s not true.

“When did it start?” When I don’t answer right away, Magiano’s voice hardens. “We have pledged ourselves to putting you on the throne. We deserve an answer. When did it start?”

I’m silent.

“Was the time in Merroutas your first? In the gondola?”

I feel as if illusions were lying in wait right outside my line of sight, ghosts waiting to appear. I can’t hide it from Magiano. “It happens after I kill,” I whisper.

After I killed Dante, my uncontrollable illusions caused Enzo’s death. After I killed the Night King, I saw my father in Merroutas. And after I killed the Inquisitor that night in Estenzia … this. I shiver uncontrollably.

“I’m fine,” I say over and over again. I glare at Magiano, daring him to question me.

He steps closer, then reaches down to touch my cheek. “Adelina,” he murmurs, then hesitates. I think he’s going to tell me to be more careful, that I shouldn’t stay on this path. Instead, he sighs. As always, I find myself drawn to his warmth. He is truly alive, and this moment feels real. I’m still trembling. Why can’t I stop my illusions anymore? Behind him, the others emerge from the room and look on.

Finally, he nods back toward the window. “You said you know a way for us to save those malfettos,” he says. “Well, what? What’s your plan?”

I squeeze my eye shut and take a deep breath. Calm yourself, I command. Magiano’s presence steadies me. I look up at him. “Teren is down there right now, in the malfetto camps,” I say. “We can trick him to work in our favor.”