Page 90 of Fated In Ruin
“Killing Silas. And the rest of the Silverwoods.”
“Ah.” His gaze narrowed on us and he dropped his voice. “I see you looked through Virgil’s memories and saw what those bastards did to Evangeline?”
A growl built in my throat and Malachi bared his teeth right back. “I didn’t know, if that’s what you’re so pissed off about. Not until I read the little shit’s thoughts and decided…maybe he was worth saving, given he was the only one who tried to help her.”
“The little fucker told me what they did to her.” I tipped my head, reevaluating Draven’s very real anger over Evie’s mistreatment. “Someof what they did to her.”Because of course, there was more. With those sadistic bastards…there was always more.
“Do yourself a favor, Marten and leave it at that.” For once, Malachi dropped his usual blustering arrogant facade. “Some things aren’t meant to be dredged back up. Pain doesn’t have an expiration date, and Evangeline…” His gaze drifted over to the bench, his lips thinning out. “Just leave the past be, at least until she’s ready to deal with it.”
That meant there was more.
Now I wasdefinitelykilling those bastards.
“A word of advice. I think she’s attached to Virgil, so do yourselves a favor and leave the poor kid alive.”
“Three of us, three Silverwoods,” Riordan said casually as he shoved between us. “Once Ravok’s out of the way, I say we take Silas and the uncles somewhere quiet and go to work on them, take our time.”
“Now you’re speaking my language.” Malachi nodded thoughtfully. “I know just the place, too.”
“Nothing like bonding over bloodshed,” I muttered. “But at least we havesomethingin common.”
“You mean besides Evangeline?’ Malachi suggested with a knowing smirk that made me want to rip his head off all over again.
“You just had to open your big fucking mouth, didn’t you?”
“Honestly, your buttons are too easy to push, Marten. Ease up, I’m simply pointing out the obvious. We have to figure out how to get along, at least for the time being. Ravok’s not going to be easy to defeat.” Malachi narrowed his eyes. “He’s stronger than he ever was, and I’ve been racking my brain for days, but I can’t figure out how.”
“He can’t be stronger than all of us together,” Riordan said. “Glamour, fire, and shadows. We have three of the most powerful magicks in existence. We combine them together to create something to kill an Elder.”
“If Ravok even gets through.” I watched Fiona layer yet another spell on top of ward. The ancient barrier formed a glowing dome over the Crimson House grounds, stronger than it had ever been before. Nash had over a hundred guards armed and ready for battle, the air was thick with magic. We were on familiar territory where we had the advantage. Besides the three of us, we had Eldric and Fiona’s fire backing us up.
“Chances are, this will be the end of Ravok and his thralls.”
“You two have no idea what you’re talking about.” Draven’s quiet voice was edged with panic. “Ravok is stronger than any vampire you have ever faced. The only reason these wards will hold, is because there are twenty different types of magic layered together.Ancientmagic. Butifhe gets through, face to face…” Malachi shook his head, “you won’t survive, even if you combine your power.”
“Just because he bested you, doesn’t mean…”
“That’s not what this is about,” Malachi snarled. “You should let me take Evangeline away. I have a friend who can keep her safe. Somewhere far from here, where Ravok can’t find her.”
“Oh, you’d like that, wouldn’t you?” I snorted, my insides going loose at the thought. “Another chance to win her to your side? Well, it’s not fucking happening.”
“She’s not going anywhere with you. Once this is over, you are gone, Draven.” Riordan turned to face Malachi, not a shred of warmth in his expression. “It’s only a matter of time before Evie sees your true colors and ends this charade. We all know you’ve never cared about anything but yourself and I will not allow you to hurt her more than you already have.”
He crowded Malachi, forcing him back a step. “Know this. You have sanctuary because of her. But once Ravok is dead, I will do everything in my power to remove you from her life forever.” His cold smile sent a shiver down even my spine. “No matter the means.”
Something changed on Malachi’s face. A flicker of something I might call righteous indignation, before his expression smoothed back out.
“We’ll see about that. In the meantime, I’d tell your Knightsguard to take up positions inside the building, because once Ravok arrives, this whole area will become a kill zone none of them will survive.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Evie stand up, wobble, then take Virgil’s arm as she swept her gaze across the grounds, waving when we made eye contact.
“You two can think the worst about me,” Malachi was looking in her direction, too, “but I would never hurt her. All I’veeverdone was protect her.”
Anger crawled over my skin at the lie. This fucker threatened everything I had. My mate, our happiness, the security of the clan, but I also knew if I overplayed my hand, she would resent me and…
I would be the one left out in the cold.
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