Never, he teased but returned his attention to the winding staircase.
I followed just behind him, careful to remain silent on our ascent. My breath quickened, my heart speeding up the more we climbed. Not from exhaustion, but from expectation. Something up here was important. I could feel it in my—
Grigory halted, causing me to stumble into his back.
Oof, I thought at him. What the hell?
I think we found whatever they’re hiding, he replied, stepping to the side to show me the final set of stairs that led to a single door with two more stone-faced guards. Give me a second to compel them away from the door.
Have them unlock it first, I suggested, noting the mechanism near the handle.
Grigory nodded, then did exactly that before sending the soldiers down the stairs to join their buddy below.
It’s really creepy that you can do that, I admitted.
What’s creepy is how easy it is, he muttered. It’s like they have no will.
I shivered, knowing exactly how that felt after reliving my own memory of Yakariah’s death. There was no doubt in my mind that this was all related. And I suspected it had something to do with Napia.
I agree, Grigory replied, ascending the last few stairs to open the door. Either her or her fath—
“Napia?” he asked, freezing on the threshold as he started to enter the room.
My heart raced in my chest. Napia?
“Narissa,” a female replied. “Not Napia.”
“You look just like her,” Grigory breathed. “Minus the, uh, serpents.”
“Well, we’re twins. We’re expected to look similar,” the female replied. “And you are?” She didn’t sound frightened at all, just curious. Strange. If I were locked up in a tower, I’d be freaked out by a random guy bursting into my room.
“Twins?” Grigory repeated. “Napia doesn’t have a sister.”
I shifted forward to stand at his side and immediately saw the source of his confusion. The woman inside resembled Napia in nearly every way except her hair. She didn’t have snakes but had beautiful brown locks that hung in ringlets to her shoulders.
“Napia does have a sister,” Narissa replied, her expression sad. “It’s just not well known.” She cocked her head to the side. “Who are you?” she asked again. “You’re not one of Neptune, but of Noxia, yes?”
“Were the guards yours?” Grigory countered, ignoring her question. “To protect you?”
Narissa snorted. “More like to keep me here. Where did they go?”
“They’re taking a break,” Grigory replied vaguely.
“Interesting. I didn’t realize Napia allowed her minions to take breaks.” Her tone held a touch of sarcasm, indicating she didn’t believe Grigory at all. Yet, still, she didn’t react with concern, just more curiosity. She studied Grigory for a long moment before looking at me. “Who are you?” she repeated, her green eyes flaring with restrained power.
It occurred to me then why she didn’t fear us—because she knew how to protect herself.
What do you see? Grigory asked me.
I knew what he meant. He wanted to know about her aura. Green and blue, I said slowly. Hints of compassion underlined in sorrow. I wasn’t sure how I knew that, but the deduction came naturally to me.
“Why has your family locked you away?” I asked her.
“You’re not from here,” she said rather than answer my question. She examined me with a keen eye that trailed goose bumps down my arms. “What kind of demon are you? He’s of Noxia, but you…” She trailed off, her expression taking on an eerie glow. “Your essence confuses me.”
“Tell me why you’re locked away, and I’ll answer you,” I replied, meaning it.
“Because I’ve inherited too much of my mother’s character.” She shrugged. “Lucifer forbid the wrong heir lead the kingdom, yes? At least according to my father. And I’m too flawed for the position, so Napia has taken my place.”