Dark Heart of Magic

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Authors: Jennifer Estep
here for the next year.
    Providing I lived that long, of course.
    â€œWhere are we with the Draconis?” Claudia said. “Have you heard anything new?”
    Everyone was always interested in gossip about the other Families, especially the Draconis, since they were our main rivals. But Claudia had even more reason than others to be concerned about them. A few weeks ago, I’d used my soulsight on Victor Draconi, and I’d realized that he was plotting against Claudia and all the other Families.
    Something big.
    Something dangerous.
    Something deadly.
    â€œNothing out of the ordinary,” I said. “We ran into Blake and Deah today, but all they were interested in was crowing about how Deah’s going to win the tournament again this year; especially since there was another girl there, Katia Volkov.”
    Claudia nodded. “That’s to be expected this time of year. I doubt that even Victor would try something before the tournament, since it’s such a big draw and moneymaker for everyone in town, mortals and magicks alike. He’ll wait until afterward to put his plan into motion, whatever it is.”
    She rubbed her forehead as though it was aching. I didn’t have to use my soulsight to see the tension pinching her face. Whatever Victor was up to, it worried Claudia more than anything else. And she had good reason. I’d seen into the black, rotten depths of Victor Draconi, and the only thing that beat in his dark heart was cold, cruel calculation—and his icy desire to destroy Claudia and all the other Families.
    â€œMaybe we’ll get lucky and Victor will let something slip during the tournament,” she said. “At the very least, I can see who he meets with and talks to. That might tell us something about what he’s planning.”
    â€œYeah. About the tournament.”
    She arched her eyebrows.
    â€œWhy did you pick me to compete? I thought we had an agreement. I would be your eyes and ears and find out everything I could about the Draconis. Kind of hard to be a spy when you’re the center of attention.”
    â€œBecause I think you can win it.”
    I snorted. “Bullshit. Devon has just as good a chance to win as I do. So does Vance, for that matter. So what’s the real reason?”
    Claudia paused a moment, considering her answer. “Because your mother was the only person that Victor was ever truly afraid of.”
    Her soft words punched me in the gut, but I didn’t let any of my hurt and heartache show. “He certainly didn’t seem to be afraid when he cut her to pieces.”
    Claudia stared at me, her green eyes blazing with conviction. “Victor was always afraid of Serena—of her sight magic, of her fighting skills, and especially of her ways of communicating with the monsters.”
    â€œAnd what does all that have to do with picking me for the tournament?”
    â€œI want him to know there’s someone else he should be afraid of.”
    My mouth dropped open in surprise, but Claudia kept staring at me, the conviction in her gaze burning even brighter and hotter than before.
    I didn’t know how to respond, so I turned toward the doors, desperate to leave and trying to hide my shock, sorrow, and all the other emotions surging through me.
    â€œGood luck,” Claudia called out in a soft voice.
    I didn’t know if she was talking about the tournament or my turbulent feelings. Probably both. But I didn’t trust myself to speak, so I nodded, strode over, pulled open one of the doors, and left the library as fast as I could.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    â€œI t’s too early for this,” I grumbled. “ Way too early.”
    It was seven o’clock the next morning, and I was lying in bed, the covers pulled up to my chin, watching Oscar zip around the room putting clothes into a black duffel bag sitting on the couch. The pixie had been up for an hour already, rustling around in my closet,

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