Chapter 252
I felt my eyes narrow, and so did Rowan’s. “Fixed it how?”
I watched him fight, but it was no use. “I did whatever I needed to.” Then he did something I never thought I would see. He slammed his teeth together. I heard the crunch and winced. He broke a couple of teeth fighting my command. But then he dropped to the ground and started to convulse. His eyes flashed to his wolf’s, and I saw hatred in its eyes. “You will regret this, pup.” His words sounded like his mouth was filled with rocks, and I knew something was wrong. He convulsed more, and his eyes faded. The light that was just present vanished.
I walked closer and then dropped to my knees. Nina and Nadine started to scream as they realized the same thing I just did. I turned back to Rowan. “He’s dead.”
Rowan came over and dropped next to me. “What the fuck do you mean, he’s dead?”
I cracked open his jaw and hissed as his saliva dribbled past his lips. I yanked back my thumb and watched the skin bubble. “Fuck.” The smell of burned flesh and a small puff of smoke drifted from my thumb.
“What the hell is that?” Toya walked over and looked at my thumb, phone still recording in her hand.
“Silver,” Rowan and I answered at the same time.
“Why is there silver in his mouth?”
I grabbed his chin, keeping my fingers away from the dribble of saliva, and cracked his jaw open. “Rowan, use your cellphone and shine it in here.” I looked into his mouth once the light was on and I could see the shattered remains of all his molars. Silver was burning trails into the flesh of his mouth. “He had fake teeth implanted with liquid silver.”
“What are you talking about? There is no liquid silver. That’s mercury, and it was a hoax,” Nadine sniffled, but I ignored her.
Rowan looked at me. “She is right.”
I shook my head. “These are tiny slivers of silver suspended in a liquid, most likely an oil. But it’s there. You can see the reflection of the tiny particles in the burns.” I tilted the head and let Rowan look inside of his mouth.
“Why would he do this?” Rowan looked at me, and for the first time, I could see the lost teenager that had to take over as king far too young.
“Because he had a secret he couldn’t let out. And he was willing to die to keep it.” I let his face fall and turned to Rowan. “Call and have someone clean this up. There are students here that are going to start freaking out soon.” I nodded to the crowd behind him.
He nodded and pulled out his phone. “I need you to come here and clean up after a body. No blood, but silver is present, so wear gloves.” He glanced up at the two women huddled together. “Also, I want Thinius’s family pulled in for questioning.” There was a pause. “All of them.” He hummed in agreement a few times and then stood. “I will personally interview them.” Then he hung up.
“My king!” Nina called out, but he raised his hand and turned to me. “I need you to keep this table open. But I will postpone the selection process until this is handled.” I nodded and he turned to address the women. “Ladies, I know this is an ugly scene. But I really want all of you to continue to apply. I don’t want this to stop you from getting your chance at being queen. I understand though, if this is too much for you.” He bowed and then turned to Nadine and Nina. “You two are obviously disqualified from applying. And Nadine, you are removed from your duties with the council from this moment on.”
“Please Rowan, don’t do this to me. I love you,” Nina begged, dropping to her knees.
Nadine paled further. “You can’t do this. I’m in line for my uncle’s seat on the council.” She shook her head in disbelief.
But Rowan just snorted. “I can do this. You are lucky that your family isn’t being cast out for being traitors.” Rowan wiped his face. “Yet.”
“Yet…” The threat hung on her lips. I saw panic flash in her eyes. “You can’t mean that.”
“But I do.” Rowan stepped closer to her. “Your uncle has proven himself to be a coward and a traitor for taking his life instead of being honest. And that makes me feel like your clan is hiding something. If I find out what it is, all of you will be cast out to live as rogues.” The two women gasped, but Rowan focused on Nina. “If you actually loved me, Nina, you wouldn’t have acted this way. You have proven time and time again that you are self-centered and conniving. Someone not worthy of being queen.” Rowan turned away, and the two women crumpled to the floor.