Looking at her now, I couldn’t immediately think of a reason. She was a kind creature, though ruthless and calculated in her defense. It was probably why they’d sent four people to kill her, instead of one or two. But they could’ve waited until she was alone again, so… why did they attack now, while I was still with her? Were they trying to raise awareness regarding their presence in the palace, perhaps? Were they looking to spread fear-inducing rumors?

Their attack came at an inopportune time, as the Black Fever was returning about five thousand years sooner than it should’ve. I had a feeling we’d come to Visio at the worst possible time in its modern history, but it was too late to turn back now. If anything, I wanted to get to the bottom of it all even more, as more pieces of this gigantic puzzle came to light.

Esme

Training with Kalon had drained me of most of my energy. I’d never imagined he’d be such a ruthless drill sergeant, but the social and the sparring versions of him were two diametrically opposed personas. The Kalon who’d taken me riding and who’d joined me in the Blood Arena had been charming, intriguing, and mischievous. The Kalon who fought me in the training room was ruthless, methodical, and strict.

I was still wrapping my head around the two, my muscles sore and my knees a little weak, as Kalon escorted me back to my chambers. We hadn’t spoken since we’d put the blunt swords away back in the training room. It wasn’t because we’d run out of things to say or because of a falling out or whatever… no, we’d exhausted ourselves to the point where talking could’ve basically knocked us out. We were beyond tired, smiling like two of the happiest creatures who’d ever lived.

Personally, I loved this kind of fatigue. A hot bath would soften my muscles and relax my joints, and everything would ache in the morning, but I reveled in the sensations. This was my body telling me I’d given it a lot to work with, throughout most of the day. We’d planned on training for a couple of hours, tops, since Kalon had insisted that he could improve my form. Lo and behold, it was close to midnight when we made our way back to the first floor, where my room awaited.

“Thank you for today,” Kalon said, throwing me a sideways glance. “It was fun. Unexpected, but fun.”

“What exactly was unexpected?” I asked, smiling.

“The whole thing. I don’t know why, I just didn’t see you as the fighting type,” he replied, genuinely amused. The coldness had gone from his blue eyes, and, for a split second, I felt as though the sky had been captured in those irises, and not the frost I’d seen before. “Don’t get me wrong, it was a pleasant surprise. You and Valaine have more in common than you think.”

“How so?”

Golden guards rushed past us. They seemed upset, nervously looking around, as if searching for someone. I glanced over my shoulder, watching as they split into two groups, going left and right down other corridors.

“I can see you doing well for yourself in the Blood Arena,” Kalon said, his brow slightly furrowed as he, too, noticed the guards’ anxiousness. “I also think we’ve managed to improve your technique a little bit, bringing some of those styles you’ve picked up closer together.”

“Thank you for that,” I replied. “I do feel like I’ve got a better grip on the twin swords. Oh, and you’ve definitely helped improve my spear game. Seriously, thank you.”

Footsteps echoed through the hallways as more golden guards emerged, spreading in different directions, some barking orders at the others. They were giving each other instructions—check the east wing, go up a level, cover the west wing, check the south entrances, and so on. Something had happened, and based on the befuddled look on Kalon’s face, we were both out of the loop.

“What’s going on?” I asked, feeling my skin tingle, a nervous feeling creeping its way into my consciousness.

“I’m not sure,” he muttered.

We made it into our chambers’ hallway, where Valaine and Tristan were waiting. They both seemed shaken up. There was a body on the floor, clad in black, blood pooling beneath him. Two golden guards split from a small group patrolling this section, carrying a gurney. They loaded the body onto it, while Kalon and I rushed toward Valaine and Tristan.

“What happened?” Kalon asked Valaine.

Her arms were crossed, her eyes were dark with anger, and her lower lip quivered, ever so slightly. “Darklings,” she said. “They made it inside the palace.”

Kalon didn’t say a word at first, but I could tell that he was appalled. He didn’t hide his revulsion, and rage made his hands shake a little. He looked at my brother. “Were you here?”

Tristan nodded. “They came from behind. Four of them.”

“Did they say anything?” Kalon replied.

“Hold on,” I said, moving closer to my brother. “Are you okay, Tristan?”

“Yeah, I am, don’t worry.” He sighed. “We both got off easy, just a few scratches that have already healed.”

“It could’ve been worse, but Tristan here is an excellent fighter,” Valaine said. “He took one of them down.”

We all stared at the dead fiend as the guards carried him away. “Where are they taking him?” I asked.

“One of the spare study rooms. Our physicians will try to find out who he is, or at least where he comes from,” Valaine said.

“Why did they attack you? What are Darklings?” I insisted. I had too many questions, but I tried to focus on the main ones for the time being, as my heart thundered angrily, wrestling with my ribcage. My brother had just evaded death, and that was a feeling that always brought out the worst in me, because I hadn’t been around to keep him safe. The one thing that gave me comfort was exactly what Valaine had pointed out: my brother could do well on his own; I just didn’t like it when things got to that point.

Valaine gave me a brief rundown about the Darklings, though it didn’t answer any of the follow-up questions I’d already prepared. The Aeternae had been dealing with them for a long time, but there wasn’t much knowledge about their organization. They were bloodthirsty monsters, that much was undeniable. And they’d managed to sneak into the palace.

“Why did they target you?” I asked Valaine, and she shrugged in return.

“As I was telling Tristan earlier, I honestly don’t know.”

Kalon didn’t say much, but his expression betrayed many emotions. He was well acquainted with the Darklings, but I wasn’t sure to what extent. He didn’t like their intrusion, and he certainly didn’t take well to the idea that they’d tried to kill Valaine.

“Have you summoned your father already?” he asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

“He’s on his way. As you can imagine, he’s livid,” Valaine replied.

“I can certainly see why,” Kalon said. “Let me take you to the throne room. We must speak to the lord and lady at once. It cannot wait until the morning.”

“Might as well call an emergency council meeting,” Valaine said.

“You’re damn right we’re calling an emergency council meeting. The Darklings just tried to kill you!” Kalon snapped. “Come, I’ll walk with you.”

A sense of urgency gripped my throat. “Kalon. Would you like us to do anything? Do you need our help?”

He and Valaine stopped for a moment, as he turned around to look at me. “Go to bed, Esme. It’s late, and you should rest,” he said. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“Maybe we could—” My brother tried to offer his assistance, but Kalon cut him off.

“With all due respect, this is a matter pertaining to the Aeternae’s governance. It doesn’t concern you. Please, go to your chambers and lock your doors. There will be additional guards on patrol throughout the night, for everyone’s safety.”

Kalon and Valaine walked away, leaving me with Tristan outside my door. A few minutes passed in tense and heavy silence as we listened to the voices echoing through the palace. The search for the Darklings was still ongoing, but I had a feeling they’d already fled. If I were them, I’d have gotten out as soon as I’d botched the assassination attempt. The whole place was too hot for a second try. They’d have to wait for it all to cool down again.

“Darklings. Seriously?” I grumbled, frowning at Tristan.

“Yeah, it’s not something they’re particularly proud of.”

“Anthropologically speaking, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise,” I said. “With a nation this big and powerful, there was bound to be dissent among its people. It’s just that I would’ve expected to see rebels fighting for the liberation of Rimia and Nalore… not assassins looking to wreak havoc and to drink people dry, like mindless animals.”

Tristan nodded once. “We need to find out why they were after Valaine. Maybe she isn’t telling us something.”

“Kalon is definitely holding back.” I scoffed.

“Where were you all day?” he asked.

I blanked out for a moment. Why did I feel guilty for spending the whole day with the very Aeternae I’d just criticized for being secretive? Yeah, the irony did not escape me. “Training. With Kalon.”

“All day?”