Prosper Redding_The Last Life of Prince Alastor by Alexandra Bracken

Author:Alexandra Bracken [Bracken, Alexandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781786540645
Publisher: Quercus Children’s Books
Published: 2018-12-12T05:00:00+00:00

A Royal Reveal

The grendel’s grip was like a branding iron. I squirmed at the heat of it, trying to tug free as his claws pricked my skin, threatening to draw blood.

Hold still, Maggot, Alastor said. Let me take the reins. I will deal with this urchin—

‘What’ve we here?’ the grendel said, cocking her head to the side. Her neck stretched into a perfect upside-down U. ‘This is no shade! It smells like—’

The door I’d come through from the kitchen burst open with a thunderous bang. A fiend – one I’d never seen before – strode in, her shoulders back and her nose in the air. A gown of shimmering black fabric, like a night sky back home, flowed out behind her.

All the different types of fiends seemed to have at least one trait that was vaguely humanlike, but this one, this fiend, was the closest thing to us I’d seen so far.

The smooth, shell-like quality of her face was terrifying; it didn’t wrinkle, even as she bared her pointed teeth. It was the kind of pale that was nearly translucent, as if she had no blood or veins. The lines of her face were nearly nonexistent. A notch for her nose, a lipless mouth, ears that were just slightly too long and slightly too pointed. One eye was blue, one black.

Pyra.

I turned, searching the room for the malefactor’s panther form. The fiends around the table shook off their stupors, falling into bows and curtsies. Even the grendel eased her hold on me to smooth out her full skirt.

This is her true appearance. The form a malefactor takes Downstairs.

My knees locked. I glanced over at the grendel, making sure she was still distracted before trying to slide my wrist and hand through her loosened grip. My heart skipped one beat, then two.

Think … I could drop down under the table, get Toad out, and then …

‘Y-Your Majesty!’ Nightlock spluttered, sliding down from a carefully balanced stool. With each step toward her, he bowed. Finally, he took her long fingers in his small hand and slobbered on to her knuckles. ‘We did not expect you. I was told you were busy with preparations at Skullcrush. Shall I have the shade set a place for you?’

‘You shall not,’ Pyra said airily. ‘I will not be staying! I’ve come for that strange shade and the changeling. If you would please provide them, I will be on my way.’

A queen would never say please, Alastor said, his tone darkening with suspicion.

Maybe it was the distance, or the way the fairy lights were flickering in the glass orbs, but it almost looked like Pyra’s mouth didn’t move at all when she spoke. There was something off about her.

And her voice is oddly … piercing? Alastor noted.

‘But of course, Your Darkest Majesty,’ Nightlock said. He glanced behind her. ‘Did you come alone? Where are your guards?’

Very off. And we weren’t the only ones who noticed.

Around me, the dinner guests exchanged curious glances. The spell of the queen’s sudden arrival was quickly wearing off.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.