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Chapter 17
Lily
We prowl quietly through Terra. Dressed in all black, we appear as shadows drifting through the night. We tuck ourselves close to the white stone buildings in the sleepy village, looking for our target.
Crickets play their evening song in the distance as fireflies twinkle in the meadows. The woodsy scent of the moss roofs makes it feel like we are still among the trees.
Nyx skirts the wall in front of me. Silas and Marcus lead the way. A small and discreet team for this in-and-out quest. No lingering or questions. We’ll end the lord quickly and quietly. Punishment for the pain he has inflicted on the women here.
I pull my hood over my head to obscure my face and hair, not wanting anything to give away that I’m a woman. To remain inconspicuous, I will only summon Asher if necessary. I want my face to be the last thing this vicious man sees.
My shadows are tucked deep in their well with the lid secured tight, as always. They can be temperamental, and I’ve learned to hide them away to prevent them from spilling out whenever they please. If I need them, all I have to do is crack the lid.
We trail the wall along the row of houses lining the back side of the village. The light from lanterns flashes on our faces as we pass by windows. The alley curves along the edge of the town and leads directly to the lord’s house.
This path provides stunning unobstructed views of the Terra wildflower meadows. I imagine the sunrise from this spot would be beautiful.
A chorus of laughter floats down the way, coming from the tavern. It’s a perfect fall night with a slight chill in the air but still comfortable. The starry sky above adds to the pleasant setting for a cruel task.
We pair off. Silas and Marcus head into the alley first. The darkness provides better cover for us. Once safely concealed in the shadows, we advance quietly.
Marcus and Silas cautiously head down the rough stone walk. Various walkways branch out from the main walk, each leading to different homes along this part of the village. Small lanterns spaced at odd intervals provide dim lighting.
Nyx positions himself in front of me, scanning for any threat. We silently make our way closer to the lord’s home.
There’s a break in the silence as a large mass barrels out from one walkway, crashing into Silas and hauling him out of sight. A loud thud and a pained groan tell me he’s been hit hard.
“Stay here and watch my back,” Nyx says, holding his hand up, signaling me to stop.
Before I can protest, Marcus and Nyx are racing off to help Silas. The rhythmic thump of punches fills the air. I walk cautiously toward my men, checking for anyone approaching. My eyes scan the shadows and dark paths for an accomplice.
A hand grabs my hood, yanking me. My back and head slam into the white stone home on the left side of another pathway. I see stars from the impact, but the hand around my throat brings back my attention.
“What do we have here? A woman pretending to be a spy? You are far too pretty to be sneaking around in the dark, love,” a grotesque man says, pressing me harder into the wall, and I realize we’ve been ambushed.
This is the lord we came here for, and somehow, he got the jump on us.
His large hand clamps down on my throat, shutting off my air. I try to remain calm and unseal the well holding my shadows, but he slams my head into the wall again. My vision goes black around the edges, and I claw at the man’s arm, tearing at his skin.
I swing my legs up to shove him back, but he pushes his body into mine, pinning me. A lethal smile curves his lips as he leans in and rubs his pointed nose along my jaw. He inhales deeply, smelling my hair.
“Oh, I’m going to have fun with you,” he whispers into my ear.
His warm breath causes my shadows to strike at the well. I reach up and dig my fingers into his eyes, hoping it will cause him to release my neck. My lungs burn from the lack of air.
The man’s grip tightens on my throat. He lifts his body off mine enough to swing a fist back and punch me in the face twice. Warmth trickles down my cheek from the broken skin.
“Useless woman. All you are good for is fucking.”
Another slam of my head into the wall has me limp in the man’s hand. My vision is only a pinprick. His hand slides down my body as he pushes his hardening cock into me.
