“Thank you, my lord,” Ty said. He nodded toward the door where the Scavenger had been taken. “That vagrant is nothing but a money-grubbing liar who would seek any opportunity to earn a coin or two. I know nothing of the witch he speaks of, but I do know that he planned to use her for his own purposes—to fool you and get revenge upon me.”
The Master had settled back in his chair, but at the word “revenge,” he leaned forward, interested.
“As he said,” Ty continued, “I killed his comrades. They were trying to harm my . . . my . . . I have a thing for humans, my lord.” He indicated Maggie. “That vile creature kidnapped her the minute my back was turned and planned to turn her over to you, disguising her with magic as a witch.” Ty paused to bow graciously. “I do apologize for the interruption; however, I am glad to have been able to foil his subterfuge.”
I’d managed to shove my way through the crowd far enough that I was only a few feet away from where Ty was standing. I stared at him standing there with a posture and formal manner of speaking that were entirely foreign to me. It was as if he had stepped into another time and place entirely. I barely recognized him. Where was the boy with the half smile?
Fear and suspicions rolled around in my stomach, but I forced the feelings aside. Everything will be fine. Ty will save Maggie, and we’ll all make it out alive. I had to believe it.
“I heard him boasting of the reward he anticipated for his treachery,” Ty went on. “Everyone here knows that the clink of coin is the only language those dogs understand.”
There was a murmur of agreement from the crowd, and even the Master nodded his head in accord. Pulses of fear and anxiety coursed through me with every rapid beat of my heart, and a thin sheen was forming on my skin. I forced myself to take a few deep breaths. I glanced at Maggie. She was on the floor near the Master’s chair, her eyes narrowed on Ty. I could tell from the look on her face that she was as confused as I. She doesn’t know either. Whatever Ty’s plan was, he was the only one in on it. I turned my attention back to Ty.
The Master was regarding him. He wiped a hand across his brow. “I know you.” He leaned forward. “What’s your name, boy?”
“Tyler Marek, my Lord.”
“Marek.” The Master clapped his hands together. “Of course, now I remember. What was it? A year ago? Such a brooding, angry young man. Why, I hardly recognize you now. I see your training was effective.”
Ty swallowed. “Most effective, my lord.”
The words didn’t make sense. My head was screaming at me, but my heart refused to acknowledge, to even consider the thoughts roaring inside my mind. Still hidden in the shadows of the crowd, I took a deep breath. I have to trust him. I have to trust Ty.
The crowd was growing restless. The murmur of voices grew louder.
“Peace, friends.” The Master stood from his chair and held out his hand. “There’s no need for discord.” He turned to Ty. “Show them who you are.”
With a slight inclination of his head, Ty yanked off his tie and unbuttoned the top few buttons of his shirt, which he pulled down to reveal a dark tattoo across his chest.
I knew that mark, had seen it before in my visions of Josephine.
“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. No.
Two interlocking triangles that formed a capital M. It was the mark that denoted the Master’s most loyal followers. The mark of the Guard.
“My name is Tyler Marek.” He bowed his head in reverence. “I am one of yours, my lord.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
I cried out, a strangling sort of sound, and stared at the tattoo on Ty’s chest. “No,” I breathed. Ty? Part of the Guard? I didn’t want to believe it, but the proof was there, inked across his skin. Flashes of heat flushed my skin, and I tore my gaze away as hot tears burned my eyes. He’s been working for the Master all this time.
Pain ripped through the walls of my chest and ricocheted throughout my entire body. Ty betrayed me. Those three little words sliced right through me, and I glanced down expecting to see blood—the physical evidence of my internal agony. I choked down a sob.
“My apologies again, my lord, for the interruption to your party,” Ty said with another bow. He moved toward Maggie. “Allow me to take the human to a more secure location until you are ready to deal with her.” He took a step forward, straightening his shoulders. “I will personally see to it that she is . . . looked after.” He grinned, a wild look in his eye. My stomach rolled, and I was sure I was going to vomit.
The Master seemed to consider this for a moment before rising to his feet. “There’s something about you,” he said to Ty. “You’re far more civilized than most of the men in my Guard. I like that. Civility is all but lost these days.”
A strange look flashed across Ty’s face, but then it was gone behind his congenial smile once more. “My father was a gentleman, my lord. He taught me well.”
The Master nodded, impressed. “I see.”
Ty bowed his head again. “Thank you, my lord.” He bent down and yanked Maggie to her feet. My hands, my blade, and my life. His words echoed in my thoughts, twisting my heart. Every word a lie.
“Where might I secure her, my lord?”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary,” the Master said, settling back into his seat. “After all, what’s a party without a little . . . entertainment?”
“My lord?” Ty stared at him, not understanding.
The Master held up a hand, waving him off, and fixed his stare on Maggie. He cocked his head a little, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Come here, girl.”
Maggie jerked her arm out of Ty’s grasp and walked toward the Master, trying to keep her shoulders back and head held high. She was shaking all over, but it was obvious she was trying not to let her fear show.
“Such a pretty face,” the Master mused, running a finger across her cheek. “Yet the face you wore as a disguise . . . that is the face that interests me the most.” He turned to the crowd, scanning the faces of the guests. “For you see, it belongs to someone I’m dying to know better.”
Oh my God. My stomach turned inside out. He knows who I am. He knows I’m here. All of the planning, the details, everything we’d prepared for tonight was all for naught. Our plan was always going to fail.
I glared at Ty through angry tears. His face was void of all emotion, and he was standing at attention next to the Master. I directed all the malice and hatred I felt burning through me toward him. I hate you. I hate you, Tyler Marek. I will never forgive you for this.
It might have been wishful thinking, but I swore I saw him wince.
“You can come out now, love,” the Master projected, his voice filling every inch of the ballroom. “There’s no point in hiding from me.”
What do I do? My feet were frozen to the floor and my head was spinning. What do I do?