He wasn’t bluffing.

Why did the threat of torture set Magnus’s stomach churning? He hated his father, but he was a Damora. This threat shouldn’t sicken him; it should energize him.

Lysandra had gone quiet, had stopped struggling, but the hatred in her eyes still burned bright. “Tell him nothing, Gregor. One way or the other, he’s going to kill us both.”

Gregor was visibly shaking now.

“Lysandra, forgive me,” Gregor said, causing the king to break out in the slightest of smiles. Lysandra’s face quickly became etched with worry, clearly fearful of what he’d say next. “Death is one thing. But torture. . . . no. I can’t let that happen to you.” He turned to the king, his face a mask of hatred as he began to speak. “Phaedra told me that the Kindred were ready to be awakened. That’s the word she used. Interpret it however you wish. But she warned me that they should remain unfound, even if it means the fading of both her world and ours.”

“Nonsense. How could that be?” the king prompted.

“Because mortals can’t control power like that,” Gregor snarled. “And anyone who thinks they can control it is a damn fool.”

This boy has courage, Magnus thought, mildly impressed.

“What else?” King Gaius hissed, ignoring Gregor’s insult.

“She believes that when the Kindred finally awaken, the world will burn.”

“Burn,” the king repeated. “What does she mean, burn? Surely she doesn’t mean the world will literally burn?”

“I don’t know. I was sure she’d return to tell me more, to tell me how to help her, but it’s been weeks since I last dreamt of her. I swear on my parents’ souls I’m speaking the truth. I don’t give a damn about the Kindred. For all I care you can have it!”

The king pressed his fingertips together as he studied Gregor. “What do you know of a young man in Paelsia who can harness the power of fire?”

Magnus’s back stiffened. Ashur had shared this rumor with him, but this was the first time he’d heard his father mention it.

“I’ve never heard of such a man,” Gregor said, shaking his head.

“No matter, I suppose.” The king leaned forward. “How do I find the Kindred, Gregor?”

Magnus felt a sudden sense of relief. For the king to dismiss such a fantastical notion so easily likely meant he’d found no truth in it.

“You’re so sure that I know, but you’re mistaken.” Gregor’s harsh tone turned wistful. “I’m certain Phaedra means to contact me again—she wouldn’t just leave me. She was good and kind and wanted the best for the world . . . but she had enemies. She feared something . . . or—or someone.”

“Perhaps she’s dead,” Magnus murmured.

“Yes,” King Gaius agreed. “Perhaps this Watcher of yours is dead, and if so, she’s no use to anyone, is she?”

“But Watchers are immortal.” Gregor’s gaze flickered uncertainly between father and son, his chest heaving with labored breath. Then he seemed to summon his courage again. “You need me. I’ve had direct contact with a Watcher who chose me above any other mortal. I am her proxy in this world. That makes me special, valuable. I promise to work for you, your majesty. I ask only that you spare my life and the life of my sister.”

“Gregor, no!” Lysandra cried out, her voice breaking up with horror and disgust.

“Shut up, Lys,” he growled. “Do you want to die?”

“I’d rather die a rebel than kneel before this royal sack of shit.”

A guard backhanded Lysandra across her face so hard that she cried out.

Gregor jumped to his feet, but Cronus pushed him back down. “Forgive my sister,” Gregor managed. “She’s always been hotheaded, but not me. I can see opportunity when it presents itself. You need me, your majesty. When Phaedra contacts me again, I will tell you everything, without hesitation. I’m not lying!”

“No, you’re not lying.” The king reclined back in his throne, his hands grasping its golden arms. “You would do this, I can see that. You love your sister. That kind of loyalty is very important to me. Family is the most precious thing in this world. Family is the only way for us mortals to guarantee our own immortality. I respect the love you have for your family.”

Gregor let out a slow, shaky sigh. “Good.”

Father might really show lenience to this boy, Magnus thought. Despite his initial resistance, Gregor was ready to turn his back on his rebel leanings and pledge his allegiance to King Gaius in order to save his sister’s life.

The king regarded Gregor in silence. “The problem is, I think your Watcher is either finished with you or she’s dead. And she told you next to nothing to begin with. She sounds worthless to me, unlike Melenia, who has made me great promises that I know she’ll keep. And to me, this makes you just as worthless.”

“No, your majesty. That’s not true!”

Lysandra struggled against the guard holding her in place, her gaze darting everywhere as if searching for a means of escape.

King Gaius didn’t so much as glance in her direction. “Much gratitude, Gregor, for teaching me a very important lesson today,” he said. “Sometimes I allow myself to be led by impatience and anger. But I’ve waited a lifetime for the Kindred, and I can continue to wait until the time is right. After all, I already possess the key to unlock this mystery. I simply need to learn the proper way to use it.”