I ignored the tears leaking down my cheeks and fought against the white light that was now shining behind my eyes.The cuffs. If I can break the restrain—My thought trailed off as more of the fae’s power flowed into me and a piercing noise assaulted my ears. It took me a moment to realize I was screaming. Kade howled with me, the sound primal and full of anger, and I couldn’t hear any of the fae now. I wasn’t sure if it was because we were drowning them out or if they had grown silent.
My scream ended, and my head sagged, my chin dropping to my chest. I focused on sucking in slow breaths through my nose.Goddess, we’re about to die.I thought of the secrets about the Katakin curse now buried in my memory. Thought of my sister, and of the four monsters who had fought to protect me. It was strange thinking the fae would take my life when throughout my childhood it was the monsters I’d feared.
Locke was silent beside me now, but I couldn’t lift my head to see if he was still alive. I couldn’t—
A spark flared in my chest briefly before disappearing.Was that—?I struggled to focus my mind. To fight against the fae’s power and my weakening state. Another spark briefly lit up inside me, like the flame of a candle lighting up in a chasm of darkness.Yes.It was impossible, but it was there. Power rushed through me as the dazra’s venom wore off completely, my magic no longer a spark but licks of flame. I didn’t know why the enchanted cuffs weren’t stopping my magic, but I almost sobbed with relief as I reached for it. Goose bumps prickled over my arms, a cold chill settling into my bones as my soul continued to be yanked from me, but I didn’t hesitate to let my power loose.
The cuffs restraining my monsters and around my arms and ankles dissolved into sand, and that was when the real chaos began. Asher caught me before I hit the ground, his thick arms wrapping around me protectively and his touch gentle like he was afraid I’d come apart in his grip. A growl ripped through the air, and Kade’s wolf shot toward the executioner fae, reaching him in a few powerful strides. The fae’s gray eyes shuttered as he was torn apart, blue blood splattering across the platform, and the white light that was winding around his fingers sprang back into the five of us. I sucked in a sharp breath as the agonizing pain in my body vanished, and warmth sank into my bones, my strength returning.
That was when I noticed the mournful song winding through the air. Darian stood at the front of the platform, an enchanting melody coming from him as he entranced the crowd of fae. To the side of the platform, Locke glared at King Chalir as he squeezed his clawed hand around the king’s throat. The king was the only fae who hadn’t been entranced by Darian’s power.
“Try to use magic and I’ll snap your neck,” Locke snarled, his voice filled with the promise of death.
Kade’s massive wolf form tossed the remains of the executioner fae’s body from the platform, and he stalked toward the king, his golden eyes narrowed on the ruler of the fae realm. King Chalir’s eyes widened with fear as the wolf bared his bloodied teeth.
“Create a portal to Katakin,” Locke ordered, and tipped his head toward Kade. “Or I let him have you.”
King Chalir’s nostrils flared, his face growing redder.
Darian was backing up in our direction now as the entranced fae started moving toward him.
Locke gripped King Chalir’s neck tighter, but the king kept his lips sealed.
“Do it,” Locke snarled. “And if the portal leads to anywhere other than Katakin, I won’t just kill you. I’ll make sure Kade here keeps you alive for days until you’re begging for death.”
Kade growled, the rumbling sound vibrating through the platform, and King Chalir swallowed, his face growing pale. With shaky hands, he reluctantly lifted his arms, a look of concentration crossing his face, and then a ring of blue fire was forming in the air before us.
Enchanted fae were climbing onto the platform now, their lust-filled gazes fixed on Darian.
“Release them,” Locke barked at the siren. “Let’s go.”
Locke dragged King Chalir into the portal first, and I had just enough time to see Darian release his hold on the fae before Asher carried me into the portal.
CHAPTER 19
~ Raine ~
Myearspoppedaswe emerged from the portal, and Asher carried me out onto a cobbled street. Tall, dark buildings surrounded us, the gray stone lit by lanterns with flickering blue fire, and I could only guess we were somewhere in Katakin City. Locke stood a few steps away, a clawed hand gripping King Chalir’s neck while the other hand clasped the king’s shoulder. Kade and Darian exited the portal after us, striding forward like angry gods. Kade was back in his human form, and his golden gaze flicked from me to the king.
“Let me kill him,” the wolf shifter growled, his eyes flashing with anger.
“As much as I hate to say it, we must return King Chalir,” Darian drawled. “We don’t need the fae thinking the Katakin monsters murdered another fae royal.”
“You heard the king,” Kade countered. “War is coming now. Nothing is going to change that.”
Locke studied King Chalir like he was considering killing the fae ruler himself, but then he dragged the king closer to the portal and bared his fangs. “Whether you believe us or not, we didn’t attack Prince Azaren. That was the work of a Forgotten Fae assassin. If you insist on sending your army here, it will be a massacre.” He paused then, studying the fae male. “But you already know that, don’t you?” Locke went to push the king into the portal, but he paused again. “Close the portal as soon as you return to your realm. I don’t think I need to explain what will happen if you don’t.” And then he was hurling the king through the ring of blue fire.
As soon as King Chalir was gone, Kade was at my side, and Asher let the wolf shifter lift me into his arms. It was like he knew Kade needed me more than he did in that moment.
“Icanstand,” I groused, but Kade’s only response was to crush me to his chest as his shaky fingers brushed over my body. His nose dipped to my hair, and he breathed in deeply.
“I thought I’d lost you, Mahare,” he said as his golden eyes tracked over my face.
“Nope, still here,” I said with a weak smile.
“Least the king ain’t a complete idiot,” Asher commented, and I peered over in time to see the last flickering flames of the portal disappear.
“We need to get off the street,” Locke said coldly, bringing our attention back to the city. “We’re in Borren’s territory.”
