Her eyes widened at the use of her nickname, something I would call her in passing as she cooked or when I was pressing a chaste kiss on her lips as I walked out the door. It was mundane to anyone else, but to us, it was the recollection of a better time.
Chapter37
Matthew
“Not so fast, shadow-bringer.”
I stood in the middle of an enemy encampment, frozen like a moment in time. The sharp edge of a blade dug into my flesh, threatening to break the skin through my leathers. Sudden, sharp spikes of anxiety worked their way through me in a matter of seconds.
There was no time for this. Not now. Not when I held the lives of so many people in my hands.
The woman before me peeked over my shoulder, her eyes wide. I did not blame her, for I knew the voice. I recognized it from long ago; when I was different, and we were on the same side. But that had long since passed, and I’d relished the day when I would come face to face with him once again.
“General Murick,” I said, slowly turning around to peer at the man pressing a dagger to my side. His dark tunic was tucked into the waistband of his leathers, a glowing emblem hung from his neck. He stood an inch taller than me, an angry purple scar running down his face. I smiled at the distant memory of the day I had fled my father’s estate.
His eyes darkened, the gray color bleeding to near black, as his lip curled. “I was hoping you would make an appearance today, Roarke,” he growled, gesturing to his face. “I’ve meant to pay you back for this—” he raised his chin, indicating the scar “—since the day you inflicted the damage.” He slid his gaze over my shoulder to where the woman stood. She stepped closer to me on instinct, grasping my belt with her hand.
It was as if we were the only people in the encampment, the rest of the world fading around us. I faintly heard the clash of swords, the shouts of those calling for help, and the dying breath of those not long for this world. None of it mattered now, not when Murick stood before me. “How fortunate for you, then. I’ve heard you’ve made quite the name for yourself amongst Lachlan’s men. They boast about your ability to take lives as if it is a sport.”
Murick chuckled. “It might as well be when you are as good at killing as I am. But then again, you never could beat me in hand-to-hand combat, so I wouldn’t expect you to understand.” He removed the blade from my side, flipping it in his hand like a toy while he studied me. “I’m supposed to bring you to your father if I find you—something about strengthening the familial ties that bind you together,” he paused, the corner of his lips kicking up. “But he never said I couldn’t have some fun with you first.”
A horn sounded from behind him, and we turned to see Luka leading his battalion up the hill in a mighty charge. By a quick count, I knew something had happened. Soldiers were missing, and we no longer had a complete unit. But the ones remaining made up for their numbers with speed and precision. They clashed with the enemy, taking no prisoners and killing with ruthless focus.
I attempted to push the woman back while Murick was distracted, never taking my eyes off the brute before me, but she would not budge. Instead, her hand snaked over to the spare dagger I kept hidden beneath my shirt, pulling it free as discreetly as possible. “You should go,” I told her over my shoulder. “Find my brother. He has taken your sisters somewhere safe and will ensure you make it to them. Run until you cannot run anymore, but do not stop moving until you reach your sisters.”
Her eyes flitted between me and Murick, and I held my breath, hoping she would listen to reason. She relented, turning and running out of the encampment without looking back.
Murick tsked, shaking his head. “You always did have a knack for ruining my fun. It seems not much has changed.”
“There is much that has changed, but my hatred for you still burns bright,” I said, pulling the sword free from its scabbard.
Murick widened his stance, rolling his shoulders back. I’d fought him countless times growing up, Lachlan pitting us against one another to encourage competitiveness. At least, that’s what he called it. To me, it seemed like he had a sickening obsession with watching both of his prodigies beat the shit out of each other from an early age.
Either way, Murick always came out on top. His size was his greatest asset. While we were relatively matched in height, his build was easily double mine. He was built to destroy and conquer, and he was disgustingly good at it. If he had a conscience, he never showed it.
He stretched his neck, a loud pop coming as he released the tension stored there. We stared at one another for a long moment, studying each move the other made. I noted every twitch of his fingers, the way his eyes moved erratically from side to side with anxious energy. Then, for a moment, I heard nothing but Eva’s voice beckoning me home.
No force in this world would stop me from returning to her. Not this prick, and certainly not my father. She was counting on me to take out this force with efficiency.
“You know, I can’t wait to meet your mate. Lachlan should be approaching with his armies now.” I stilled, every sense on alert. Murick laughed, watching my expression fall as my eyes widened. “Oh? You did not know?” He gestured his hand around him. “All of this was a simple distraction. One to draw you away from her and catch them off guard. I’d told your father it was risky, that you wouldn’t be so easily duped, but he said you would do anything to keep her safe. That you’ve become weak.”
Another horn sounded, dread sinking to the pit of my stomach as soldiers on large horses bounded out of the forest. Riders at the front carried black flags, and I knew Murick was right. Lachlan planned to ambush us. He drew us out, knowing we would come to save lives from further destruction. By all accounts, he outmaneuvered us on every front.
Gods, I was so stupid. I should have foreseen this. At the very least, I should have had a contingency plan. But I had nothing, and now we would soon be overrun. The Horde’s numbers were nearing the hundreds.
If Trystan and I banded together, we could make a proper stand, but it would take a lot of effort to wipe them completely, something neither of us had planned on doing. And I wasn’t sure how strongly Trystan was connected to his powers, if he even had anything left.
I watched Murick smirk, barely containing his giddy excitement while Luka battled three men simultaneously. People on both sides went down quicker than I could count.
My foe leaned in, his horrid breath washing over me. “When I see your pretty little mate, I’ll send your regards.” He cocked his head to the side. “Perhaps I will force you to watch as she spreads her legs for me—“
My fist collided with his jaw, leaving my fingers aching and his nose shattered. Blood poured down his face, running in thick red streams that seeped into the collar of his tunic.
“You’ll pay for that with her flesh,” he spat, wiping his nose with his sleeve.
I took satisfaction in watching the damage, but I wantedmore. I wanted to watch every bit of life drain from his body. I wanted to cut out his tongue for how he spoke about Eva.
I wanted death.
