My shoulders deflate. “Where did she go?”
He shrugs. “For a workout like us, I’d guess. Maybe we’ll see her out there.” He flicks his eyebrows up.
“Save it for the challenge.” I roll my shoulders.
“Come on, don’t you think getting in her head a bit is a good idea? Make her fear us. We don’t need to kill her to make her regret her choice to come here. A little champion intimidation is not frowned upon.”
I purse my lips. “All right.” I nod. “If we see her, we’ll make our message loud and clear.”
Rook’s lips curl into a cruel smile. I’m one part grateful to have friends this hateful and bloodthirsty, and one part terrified. Remind me never to get on their bad side.
Caelynn
Irun through the windingtrail around the Flickering estate. The trees here have permanently deep-golden leaves that hang down like weeping willows. The water is clear, the stone below a deep red, making the rippling water of the lake shores look like varying types of flame. It’s beautiful, if not intimidating. And of course fitting for the Flickering Court.
Sweat drips down my temple, my thighs roar in protest, but I don’t stop moving until the pain becomes one with my body. I don’t stop running until my mind stops whirling.
I welcome the discomfort. I enjoy the sharp bite of wind on my tear streaked cheeks. All emotion must be dealt with before the trials begin. They cannot see my weakness. I won’t let them.
They can take everything—my dignity. My future. My comfort. My joy.
But I won’t let them see inside.
I’m the villain in this story. There is no other option. And if it’s a villain they want, it’s the part I’ll play.
Footsteps sound down the trail behind me. Shades of black flash behind the twisting golden leaves around the bend and I stop. My heavy breath puffs out in wafts of mist in the chill morning air. Two males are sprinting down the trail behind me. Are they after me or working out their anxiety before the trials as I am? I’m not sure it makes much difference.
I wipe my cheeks of any evidence of my emotions and look around for a place to hide. I could press against one of the tree trunks in hopes their low hanging branches will veil me from sight, but I find it unlikely to work, and I’d rather face whatever threat is coming than for them to find me cowering.
I could go for a swim, but it’s rather cold, and I don’t know what dangers lurk beneath the surface of this lake. I have very little allies in the fae world. I doubt kelpies would enjoy my presence in their waters.
So, instead, I find a mostly bare tree, and casually lean against the bark. I cross my arms, empty my face of any emotions except annoyance and watch them approach. The two males slow to a walk to moment they see me. Or perhaps “march” is a more appropriate term for their heavy stomps and clear attempt at intimidation.
“Look what we found,” the taller of the two says. I don’t know him. I don’t know his power, or his court, let alone his name or why he holds the disdain on his expression. Except for the fact that he’s with Rev. Just being friends with my victim’s brother is enough for him to hate me along with the rest of them. “That human-loving, pathetic prince murderer,” he spits. “You know, I can’t even remember her name?”
My eyes drift to Rev, whose face is full of fiery hatred. His black hair drips into his darkened eyes. I look away from him before I betray more emotion than I intend to.
