Igniting Cinder (The Lost Girls, #3)

by Holly Roberds

My father smiles, but his eyes are sharp. “May I ask how you came to be here tonight?” Aka how the fuck did you get in here, little human girl? The portals to our realm are heavily monitored by our guards, and the outskirts of our land are plagued by feral rogue vampires. To her credit, Cinder keeps her face neutral as she simply says, “I am from this land.” “Ah yes, of course,” he says as if he sees. He doesn’t know shit. Not even I know how she got here, which leaves me deeply impressed. The King’s eyes narrow slightly. “The borders are not as treacherous as they once were. There used to be so many. . . incidents back then. I heard a particularly disturbing rumor about your own journey out of our lands, my dear. That the rogues had gotten you. But I am pleased to find you made it out and back, alive.” “Sounds like an important lesson in listening to gossip because I'm here now.” The words are even, and her expression gives nothing away. Shock electrocutes me in an almost titillating way. Holy witchtits, she must be fearless. Or stupid. Maybe both? The King smiles, but there's no warmth in it. “Indeed, you are,” he murmurs thoughtfully as if to himself. “Indeed,” he repeats, this time loud enough to be heard by all. “We are honored to have the daughter of my esteemed friend and artist Byung-He and she is most welcome.”