Burned (Fever #7)

by Karen Marie Moning

“You invite us to this table yet treat us as slaves. You lie, deceive, and manipulate,” Rath snarls. “Oh, gee, we act like far more civilized versions of you,” I mock. “You have information you do not share,” Kiall fires back. “We are no longer allies. Fuck you.” He and his brother vanish. “Uh, did they just sift out?” I say, looking around warily, ready to duck and roll again in a heartbeat. “We are no longer so predictable,” R’jan purrs. “Predictable enough,” Ryodan says. R’jan sifts out an instant before Ryodan gets to him. “My head is not up my ass. The advisor was disposable. We knew you kept secrets. We kept our own.” The Seelie’s words linger on the air, disembodied. “Your wards no longer work on us.” “Your wards don’t work?” I say incredulously. “So they think,” Barrons murmurs. “Och, that was bloody grand,” Drustan growls. “We’ve no sifters.” “Aye,” Dageus agrees. “So now what’s the fucking plan?” Ryodan smiles faintly. “That was the plan.” I gasp when the Unseelie Princess from whom I’m supposedly protecting the Nine sifts into the room, materializing directly behind Barrons and Ryodan. She takes each by an arm. Then all three of them are gone.