***

CHAPTER 40

Amber Marigold

***

"Has this all been a game to you?" Amber demanded.

They agreed to have lunch at The Will hotel and sat in the VIP area. The room had that Victorian style with a jungle's worth of greenery packet into every corner. A glass wall offered an exceptional view of the beach outside. Stormy as it was.

"I can assure you, Little Miss, we take this matter seriously," Mr Lium said. "We had our reasons."

Her lawyer and her psychologist sat opposite her while the rest of the group were on her side of the table. Owen was to her left, and Blake to her right. They both had their arms crossed.

"You knew she was your cyng but kept quiet?" Owen asked.

"The two of us kept her family's involvement with the Dynast to ourselves for a while," Blake admitted, "but this is different. Why would you keep your own cyng oblivious?"

"We had no proof," Nick said. "And when we voted amongst ourselves as kin, it was decided to wait and see how things turn out. Though, none of us expected this." He gestured to them.

"The others aren't yet convinced of your claim," Mr Lium continued. "I wasn't sure myself for a while. Your father acted as first kin and never admitted to being Trebor. We had our reasons to suspect, but it was never confirmed. Nick's the one who suggested we let you loose in Tygerwel and see what happens."

"I would have told you if I thought you were ready. Regardless of what the others said." Nick took a sip of his tea. "But while I had you at that clinic, I realised your heart was too weak."

"And now?" Her brows neared.

The glasses Nick wore during their sessions were gone, and his blond hair was slicked instead of combed over. But those eyes were as clear as she remembered.

"Now," he said, crossing his legs, "you have proven yourself. It has been two years since we have heard of our cyng. And as I see it," he pointed a look at the boys beside her, "only Sterling's heir could manage taking two of the last seven bloodlines for herself."

"There's no doubt," Mr Lium declared. "You're our cyng."

"And you are ready for the title," Nick added.

Waiters knocked and entered. They brought platters of hors d'oeuvres and left without a word. Amber stared at the food, at her coffee growing cold. She felt played.

"So, you were never my psychologist? You were only judging me to see if I'm good enough for the bloodline?"

"I tried helping you, Amber. But, yes. I am part of Sterling's kin. Or, I was your father's kin. My role was that of charmer."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Blake leaned over, his shoulder brushing hers. "There are roles which kin fall into. Charmer, fighter, and strategist, for example."

She chewed on her thumbnail. Roles? Like how Seane is a driver and Jack a hacker? How much was she not aware of?

"Dear me, after so long, you are still rather clueless," Nick said with his brows lifted. He gave a slight tilt of his head. "I suppose all this will be my job to fix. I can take care of your education."

"It took me a year to study the West alone when I became cyng," Blake interrupted. "We don't have a year for Amber. And she'd have to learn about the structure of three bloodlines."

Distant lightning flashed across the ocean outside. Nick picked at the snacks as relaxed as a house cat.

"I do not mean to discuss the state of your old bloodline, Blake, but I can assure you, I will be taking care of my Scacchis a lot better than your elders took care of you." Clear eyes pinned the boy. "For one, I actually want to see her succeed."

There was something so concrete about his words that Amber was taken aback. She shifted in her seat.

"So, where do we stand? What happens from here?"

How many people knew who she was before she did? How many people were waiting for her to figure everything out on her own? How the hell was Xavier the only person to tell her anything? She reminded herself to thank him before killing him.

"You have only scratched the surface," Nick said. He leaned back with his cup in both hands. "A lot is waiting for you. The pledging ceremony, the bloody tour, and then we still need to sort out the mess we are in. We cannot let our cyng's death go unpunished. We need to find the culprit and enact justice."

Amber scoffed and stared off elsewhere.

"The culprit's already been found."

"Who?"

"The cyng of the North," Blake answered.

"Xavier Jilten," Owen confirmed.

"He admitted to it?"

Amber slid her focus back to the men across. "He did nothing to hide it." Her voice was as sure and as low as the far-off thunder.

Mr Lium and Nick exchanged glances before the latter sighed and finished his drink. He placed the cup down.

"If this is true, then we will need to confront him," he said. "If we can get undeniable proof, we will have the whole Dynast in support of his execution."

"Can't we just kill him now?" Amber asked. "Bomb his place?"

Mr Lium shook his head.

"By the seventh law, he's untouchable until we have proof."

The girl sat up. "How exactly does the seventh law go?" She nearly forgot the Dynast had such strict rules they played by.

Owen leaned back with his arms over the chair.

"It's known as the law of peace," he said.

"The only acceptable murder of a cyng is by the hand of another cyng in an agreed upon duel. If such a law is broken, the wrath of the remaining bloodlines shall fall upon the guilty," Blake recited.

"That's why we took a video of our fight back then," Owen clarified, turning to her. "This rule is to protect cyngs."

Amber nodded once. Nick asked the boys something, and the conversation continued without her. It felt like her head would fry if she took everything in too fast. The gods alone knew how she survived this long with the little information she went by.

She must have had more luck than she thought.

"And I assume your elders don't yet know you pledged your bloodlines to Sterling?"

Owen pinched the fabric of his coat under the table while Blake fiddled with his bracelet.

"Communication is cut off," they explained.

"Really?"

"So, if we have evidence," Amber interrupted, "we can kill Xavier? I have recordings of him talking about it."

"Did he make a clear confession?"

She bit her cheek and recalled that night. At the time, the girl thought it was strange how he kept alluding but never outright said it. Now, it was clear the bastard just did not want to get nailed for the crime. He was probably dying to gloat out loud.

"Let's go there right now." Her nails dug into her palms. "I'll get a confession out of that devil."

Lightning struck near enough for the light to flash across the table. The clouds were too thick for any sunlight to pierce through.

"In this instance, I suggest we take our time," Nick said. "Your shooting arm still needs to recover, and I want to start on your lessons. In the meantime, I will send someone to retrieve evidence from the police. Your parents' case was dropped too fast. If Xavier is involved, we could find something on him."

Amber ground her teeth. Cold liquid filled her veins. She had never killed a person, but she was ready to jump into Blue Jay and make Xavier her first. She took a deep breath.

"Then, let's not waste any time."

For the next few months, the girl rarely saw sunlight. Her usually golden skin turned bone white. Whenever she did go outside, it was at night and to practise her shots.

"You can take breaks, Goldie," Owen said. He wrapped her hands when her blisters bled through the previous bandages.

"I can take breaks when I'm dead," she replied.

"That's no good." His touch lingered, and his dark eyes peered down at her. Asking. Amber pulled herself away with some effort.

She did not have time for this right now.

During the day, she was holed up in her room, studying. Though homework had always been a dreaded activity, she enjoyed it this time. Nick sat with her like he used to at the clinic. He drank his tea and quizzed her at the end of each session.

"Where does Sterling Arms Company operate?"

"Eight out of eleven counties, as well as in Italy, Mexico and Africa," she answered like textbook.

"Company type?"

"Sole proprietor."

"Products?"

"Small, medium, and large calibre military munition. As well as sporting munition, accessories and firearms."

"Annual revenue?"

"Twenty billion euros."

Nick sat back, rubbing his chin with a smile. Mr Lium joined them that day and looked up from his newspaper.

"Does she know the illegal side of the business?" he asked.

"Illicit arms trade," she answered. "Four billion revenue, two billion operating income. Number of kith, twenty thousand. Number of blood banners, six thousand. Number of people in blood banners, one hundred and eighty thousand."

"She has the business side covered," Nick said. "We still need to brush up on Dynast history, however."

"That can wait."

During dinner, everyone ate at the dining room. Amber sat at the head of the table with Nick next to her. He held a conversation with her but swapped the language after every few sentences.

"Aapakee pragati kharaab nahin hai," he commented on her progress while cutting into his steak.

"Behatar ho sakata tha," she dismissed the compliment.

"Je moet wat meer in jezelf geloven," he insisted.

"Am I the only one that thinks they're gossiping about us?" Lynch asked. The twins laughed, and everyone else joined.

Amber offered a smile to the group. She did not have the energy to force a laugh, but this was usually enough to keep them happy.

"How's progress on West and East's operations?" Blake asked.

The girl sighed. She poked her broccoli with her fork.

"I know the basics."

"You'll need more than that if you want to win my uncle over."

"I know."

The house phone rang, and Lynch jumped up to go get it. The group looked at each other, quiet, while they listened in on the boy's voice in the foyer. Uhuh. Invitation? Have it sent up. Owen and Blake frowned. They set their knives and forks down.

"It's here," Jack said.

"What is?" Amber asked.

Seane leaned over to swap his steak with the girl's vegetables.

"It's that time of year," he said. "Didn't think he'd still do it."

When Lynch returned, his expression was not quite readable. He hesitated, then handed over the envelope. One look and Amber nearly ripped the maroon paper into a thousand and three pieces.

𝐓𝐨 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝐜𝐲𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐲𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 

𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥

𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 - 𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐎'𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞

𝐈'𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜é𝐞.

"He's actually insane." Owen pushed his plate away. "After what he pulled last year, nobody will show."

"We're going," Amber said.

"Cariño, don't. He's planning something again."

"We won't be going for the champagne," she assured and turned to Nick. "We were going to question him, weren't we? He's basically asking for a confrontation."

The man watched her; held the insistent burn of her eyes.

"I think we are ready," he said. "But not for a fight. We can try baiting a confession, but the second he tries something funny, we leave. Understood?"

For a second, it was her dad that sat beside her. Her chest swelled with warmth, and she nearly nodded like when she was a kid. Amber blinked the vision away. Her face hardened.

"I asked for your opinion, not your permission. Understood?"

He had the broadest smile she had seen on him yet.

"Understood, my cyng."

On the 1st of August, it rained harder than it did all summer. Unrelenting, from dawn to dusk. Amber was dressed in fitted clothing when Blake walked in. She spared a brief look and went to lace up her boots by the bed. The boy kneeled in front of her.

"Let me," he said.

She sat back and watched him. His lashes were longer from this angle, and she had the urge to brush his hair from his eyes. There was so much they needed but could not say to each other.

"If you keep looking at me like that, you'll get my hopes up."

"When's the last time you cut your hair?" she asked.

"It's been a while. Does it bother you?"

"Oddly, it looks nice."

His smile was only barely visible. He finished tying her shoes and looked up at her while still on one knee.

"For tonight, no matter what Xavier says... No matter how convincing he may be, don't get caught up in his lies. He's tried spinning stories with Owen and me before. Don't believe him."

"You know something I don't?"

"He's... got his eye on you. And he can be persistent. I'm worried about what he could say."

"You think I'll accept his proposal?" She almost laughed, but Blake's gaze kept firm. The girl dropped her smile. "Wait, you honestly believe I'll side with him? After all he's done?"

His mouth opened and closed. Through a sigh, he rested his head on her knee and stared at the rain pounding on the window.

"He can offer you more than I ever could."

His eyes matched the clouds. Amber caved and let her hand run his hair out of his face. He looked at her again.

"You've got more going for you than you think, Blake. I just... I can't be the person you want right now."

"I know." He played invisible keys on her leg. "And I'm standing back to give you time. I'll wait as long as it takes."

"What if you wait forever?"

He raised his head.

"I can do that."

"Blake..." This time she was the one to look away. "Don't place all your hopes on me. I don't want to keep you hostage."

"I've already pledged everything to you, Cariño." He paused, then took her hand and placed it on his chest. "Everything." The beat of his heart was too vulnerable to pull away. He removed his bracelet and slipped it onto her hand. She froze at those steely wires around her. Cold. And heavier than anything she ever wore.

"This is..."

"It looks better on you," he stopped her. "Please take it."

She stood them both up and embraced him, wrapped her arms around. Her head tucked into his shoulder.

The bracelet watched her.

"I hope I can deserve it one day," she whispered.

By 19:30, everyone gathered downstairs and got in their cars. There was a rock-paper-scissors match to see who travelled with her. She rolled her eyes and got in Blue Jay.

Amber
Guys can be idiots
19:35

Mr President
I feel offended.
19:35

Amber
You dont count. I guess your hidden identity works in your favour. Is that why you havent revealed yourself?
19:36

Mr President
You haven't asked me about that in a while.
19:36

She angled her phone's camera away. For months now, she avoided asking about his reveal. If the girl was honest, she preferred things between them like this.

Amber
I understand more than anyone why people hide
19:37

Mr President
You've been brave, Marigold. I'm a coward to the bitter end.
19:38

The door opened, and Owen got in with the smuggest look on his face. "I got fate on my side." He winked at her.

Blue Jay purred to life. They followed the others out.

"Luck," she corrected.

"I guess anyone would be lucky to be with you." His smile fumbled, and he added, "Next to you. In the car, I mean."

Her eyes stayed on the road. Her lip curved up.

"As opposed to any other form of being with me."

The road nearly flooded with the storm, and she squinted to see past the wipers knocking back and forth. The red glow of a taillight against rain was her only clue where to go.

"Of course, I'd love to be with you in a different way," Owen said after a while. A quick peek revealed a crease in the boy's brow. "But I have enough sense to know what it would mean for you to marry. You're right in front of me, but you're untouchable."

"People can date without marriage, y'know."

"Yes, but not with you, Goldie." He picked at his knuckles, at a scab on his ring finger. "If I get you, I don't plan on letting go. You're endgame for me."

They crossed the stone bridge, the river below gushing. Spruce trees she knew were there were hidden behind a wall of downpour.

"It's probably better this way," she said. "Putting a stop to your feelings before they get a chance to grow. I'm actually grateful I've become... preoccupied. I'd be too conflicted if I weren't."

"Don't get me wrong, Goldie." He turned, and she could feel his eyes on her. "I'm not giving up on you. I'm just going to work towards becoming someone worthy."

Her face slacked. Worthy? Would he still think so highly of her if he knew who she truly was?

As expected, Isabella was virtually empty. They were the only guests to show up, and the guards let them through without question.

They parked the assembly of cars in front of the house, and Amber took a moment to gather herself. Her silver coat was warm enough, but a chill crawled down her skin.

A hand was placed on hers.

"You can do this," Owen said. "I'll protect you."

Could anyone really protect anything in this life? She stared at the rear-view mirror. Her complexion really did become ghostly. And in the dim light of the car, her hair and eyes were dull. Grey.

"Hey, it's pretty cold, isn't it?" Those steely eyes slid over to the ex cyng of the East.

Owen's smile was brief. He removed his scarf and draped it over her neck, tucking it in place like they were a married couple.

"Better?"

"Yes. Thank you, Owen. I'll take care of it."

"Please do."

Stepping out of the car, Amber remained dry while the heavens continued to crash down around her. She looked over, and Seane was there with an umbrella over her head while he himself got drenched.

"Seane, you're—" She shook her head. "Oh, never mind."

Inside the foyer, the girl had to close her eyes. She took a deep breath before she opened them again. The butler offered to take everyone's coats, but she held up her hand.

"We won't be long."

With Blake and Owen on either side of her, she walked straight ahead, passing under those crescent stairs and entering the ballroom. Exquisite décor, which topped the year before, lined the walls. Curtains of the richest silk cascaded down the walls like melted gold. The empty chequered floor was polished enough to reflect the intricate chandeliers high above. And at the end of the room, atop the steps, was a large velvet chair.

Lounging on his throne sat the devil. He wore a three-piece suit, black at first glance but with a deep maroon tint in the light.

"It's been too long, Amber Marigold."

"Not long enough."

"I've missed this," he chuckled. Xavier leaned back in his chair like all this was to relieve his boredom. "I must apologise. It's a rather dull dance tonight. Not quite the debut a cyng of Sterling deserves." He almost looked genuinely disappointed.

"Don't beat yourself up for it. I've only come to deliver news."

"Oh?"

"As you know, I've become Sterling's cyng." She took slow steps towards him as she spoke. "But more than that, I've been given the honour of West and East's pledge. Congratulations, cyng of the North. We're both part of the last five bloodlines."

She stopped below the steps.

His eyes widened slightly, and he sat up.

"You did it?" He pursed his lips. "The wording seems misleading, though. Did those boys truly give their bloodlines?" That smile never failed to throw her off. "Or did you take it?"

"The circumstances don't matter. All you need to know is that in your greed for control over Tygerwel, you've gained an enemy you don't stand a chance against."

You'll pay, she wanted to add. For my parents. For Cal, Matt, Uncle Anton. And everyone else. You're not getting away.

"Contrary to what you believe, I couldn't be more thrilled at the news." He revealed that velvet box from his inner pocket and placed it on the arm of the chair. "My fiancée has presented me with such an exceptional gift. I'm flattered."

Her voice lowered. "Stop calling me that," she said. "It's off-putting. The only gift I have for you is a painful end."

"You wish to duel?"

"There's no need." Her smile was cruel, mocking. "I already have enough evidence to prove what you did to my parents. To Sterling's cyng. The whole Dynast will hunt you down soon enough."

"Proof? Does that mean you finally remember?"

She steeled her nerves. All she remembered seeing were shoes.

"Yes," she lied. "The footage we found also helped."

His smirk returned.

"I call your bluff."

"You think you're so invincible, but you have no idea how many people wish to see you fall. There's someone who wants to put an end to you even more than me. They've fed me with enough evidence to damn you. You're more vulnerable than you think."

He remained unfazed, a single raised brow his only reaction.

"And who is this person you boast about?"

She cursed herself for hesitating.

"A friend."

That quiet, underwater feeling returned to the girl.

At Xavier's laugh, the hairs on Amber's nape stood on end.

"You talk like you've won the game," he said while regaining his breath. He wiped at the corner of his eye. Still smiling.

"I don't see what's so funny." Her thumbs clenched, and in an effort to hold back, she trembled. "You're about to lose."

He had one arm crossed, and the other trailed a finger over his upturned lips.

"To win or lose, you must be a player." Poison green eyes gleamed. "Have I not already told you? You're but a piece on the board. And all this time, you've been mine to wield."

"What?"

"You shouldn't trust so easily," someone else said from behind.

Amber went quiet. Her insides turned to frozen slosh. And when she turned around, her heart dropped too far to retrieve.

Jack stepped forward, removing his choker as he went. His face was unreadable, his demeanour colder than before. Without looking anyone in the eye, he passed her and went to stand next to Xavier. There was a thin scar where his choker used to be.

Amber could not even start to gather her thoughts.

"What the heck is going on?" Owen demanded.

"Jack, what are you doing?" Blake asked.

His pierced lips pressed into a line, and he kept avoiding them.

"Things are more complicated than it looks."

Amber could not decide if she wanted to walk towards him or run far away. She stood caught in between. Was Jack Mr President? No. How could that have made sense? The unknown number was on her side. And still, deep within, that useless side of her screamed.

"You're a traitor?" she asked.

"How long have you lied to me?" Blake and Owen marched forward to flank the girl. They stood tall, sturdy. Solid enough to grab if her legs were to suddenly give way.

"You all have it wrong." Jack finally looked at them. The pain in his eyes was a slap to the face. "The North isn't your enemy."

"You're a damn traitor!" Amber yelled. "You played us!"

Jack shook his head. Why did he look like he could cry? He had no right to try and play victim.

"Your real enemy is the South, Amber," he insisted. "It's them who broke into your house two years ago. It's them who tricked Blake and Owen into starting a feud before that."

Blake pulled out his switchblade.

"Don't fuck with me, Jack," he snarled. "Xavier's been trying to spout that shit to us for years. Bastard realised he couldn't pin Owen or me for torching his family. He's covering for himself."

Jack winced while Xavier stood up.

"And this is exactly why I've had to take things this far," the cyng said. "You two fools wouldn't take a moment to listen. Neither of you believed me when I told you, you were vulnerable. I've had to show you just how helpless you are to a bloodline that wishes you harm. The South has been much sneakier than I. They've gotten away with too much."

Nick spoke up from behind. "The South has been an ally of Sterling. They had no reason to wish us ill will." His voice lacked the high, desperate pitch everyone else spoke with. He stood relaxed. "Your claim lacks sense."

For the first time since waking up after the fight, Amber felt something. A true emotion. Anger. Anger in its purest form.

"You've got holes in your scheme, devil!" Her face was hot, her breathing irregular. "Don't think I forgot how many times you've admitted to being there. And don't try telling me it was a bluff because you mentioned me being under a bed, and only a handful of people know about that. Back at the ball last year, you outright said you couldn't finish your business with my family. And that was your mistake. You let me live." Breathe. Slow down. "And to top it off, if you were on our side as you claim, how do you explain poisoning me? Shooting me? Cal and Matt died that night! My uncle was found with his throat slit. A Northern trait. Your lies won't save you here."

She reached into her coat and retrieved her gun. Click. Xavier did not so much as bat an eye at the revolver pointed up at him.

"I'm many things, but I'm not a liar," he said. Something about him darkened. "I assured you at our dinner that your food and wine were not poisoned. What you had were sleeping pills to cause drowsiness. I did not want you putting up a fight because I did not want to have you get hurt. And shooting you was a miscalculation on my part. I wouldn't have killed Blake. I wanted to give all of you a final scare. You jumped into my gun. I did not predict it."

No, no, no. He's lying. Don't believe him. Blake warned her this would happen. He warned her, but she wished she could have been prepared for how far he would take it.

"About your friends, and your uncle, that too was a failure on my part," he continued. "I couldn't predict how involved the South would get. When we fought, I ensured none of my men was armed well. Those with guns had a single round each. The South infiltrated my ranks. They caused bloodshed on purpose. And it was them who went after your uncle. Yes, a slit throat is a Northern trait. And they used it to their advantage. Hanging him upside down was their way of mocking me. They don't want us working together."

Amber shook her head. Her arms went limp, and the gun lowered. She pinched her eyes shut. If she had the strength, she would have covered her ears. Footsteps descended the stairs.

"You're right. I wasn't bluffing when I said I was there. I did have business with your family. Don't you remember? Did they not tell you who you were supposed to meet that day?"

She felt Blake and Owen tense up while her own body went rigid as a paintbrush. All the girl wanted to do was keep her eyes closed. But look where that got her.

She peered up at the cyng right in front of her.

Please, no. Don't say it.

"I haven't been calling you my fiancée for nothing." He looked his age for once. "Your parents chose me."

Owen held her side too quickly for her to be sure if she needed it. Her legs weakened, but she kept standing. Lies, lies, lies. Xavier was a liar. Blake warned her. But... How would he know all this if it was not true? Her lungs struggled to find a steady breath.

"I heard they decided on someone," Nick commented, "but they would not tell me who until they knew how Amber felt about it."

Jack came down the stairs as well.

"This answers your question why South did what they did. They were furious about not getting picked, and Xavier was already their enemy at that point," he explained. He showed more emotion than the girl ever knew him to have. "They didn't want him gaining Sterling's support and revealing their crimes."

Amber gathered enough of herself to glare at the boy.

"You," she said like it was poison. He flinched. "I trusted you."

Owen held her steady. "You pretended to be against Xavier so you could gain our trust. Those tips were a joke to you."

"I should have known." Blake laughed coldly.

Betrayal was too timid a word. A storm raged within her harder than the one outside. That misty lake turned into uncharted seas. Impossible waves to sail through.

"Was it all fake?" Gone was the scorn in her voice. "Our secrets? Our talks? When you told me I gave you your reason for living, were you actually just laughing at me for believing you?"

Jack held his hands out in defence.

"No, you got it wrong. I was only helping."

"Helping who? Yourself?" Blake spat.

Amber stepped back.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I was an inside man," the boy admitted. "I don't know what you two talked about."

You two? Not him? Jack isn't the unknown number?

"Wait... Stop. End this." The room spun around her. "End this game. I don't wish to be part of it." Faces twisted, and the floor threatened to swallow her whole. She held onto someone. Blake or Owen. All she could see was the devil's sorry face.

No. Please. No, no, no. Stop.

"Marigold, I am Mister President," he said. "And unfortunately, the game has only just begun."

***

END OF GIRL IN GOLD, BOOK 1 OF THE DYNAST TRILOGY