A part of me felt compelled to protect her. I had no doubt the other girls would take advantage of someone not trained for this, but a rumble across the landscape kept me rooted to the ground.
Hell Fae Rule #6: Only Look Out for Yourself—No One Else.
My father had certainly practiced that rule. He’d traded away my soul for his own benefit.
This was his realm, where his rules made sense, and unlike Jade, my father had had his fucked-up way of looking out for me by teaching me how to survive in this place.
And survive I would.
If only to claw my way out of here and find him and my complicit mother, just to show them howgratefulI was.
Still crouched, I watched as the girls hesitantly ventured down the path.
It seemed too obvious a route, so I decided to wait it out.
Jade and her ally started whispering to one another, but my father had taught me a spell that could amplify my hearing. Most of the spells he’d made sure I’d learned were physical in nature, boosting my strength and my senses.
I was part Hell Fae, even if I hadn’t been accepted by the source, so I’d still learned a few tricks of my own. Tricks that Melek technically hadn’t taught me. Which meant they should be safe to use.
I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to be able to utilize magic without actually having a source to draw from, but based on my need for sleep and nourishment after using magic, I probably took the cost out of myself. I’d never thought much about it, as I rarely ever used it.
However, thanks to Ajax, I was well fed. And besides some unsettling dreams, I’d had more than enough sleep to feel rejuvenated and prepared for the tasks ahead. A little spell wouldn’t cost too much of my reserves, and right now, I required information.
Focusing my power inward, I whispered the enchantment, engaging my ability to hear across the long distance.
Beatrix’s voice floated back to me on the heated breeze.
“There’s more than just water. Look, there are multiple pedestals with different items. I see weapons, food, and that one over there has some sort of packs. I bet there’s something good in those.” The girl poked Jade again. “Your suitor said he’d rip my arms off if I stole any of your gifts, but he didn’t say anything against sharing. Give me your talisman and I’ll make a run for the water supply point, and you watch my back, okay?”
When Jade fingered the talisman, the other girl sighed.
“Look, I’ll give it back, but if I’m going to run all that way through the lava pits, I need your talisman. I’m not going to make it before the other girls if I pass out from heatstroke. Unless you want to run off the path and face gods know what? Be my guest.”
Jade frowned but silently handed over the talisman. Her curls visibly wilted as moisture beaded across her brow, but she didn’t complain.
I hoped her ally would hold up her end of the deal.
And if she didn’t, I hoped the girl’s Hell Fae suitor made good on his threat. I hated anyone who took advantage of weaker souls.
Following Jade’s gaze, I spotted the specks in the distance that were the supply points. However, they appeared to be pretty far off of the illuminated path that led to a shift in the landscape.
Something didn’t feel right.
Ajax’s warning lingered in the back of my mind.
“It may look like a border crossing. Don’t fall for it.”
He hadn’t mentioned anything about the supply points, though. It seemed odd to me that the Hell Fae would make such a big deal about earning gifts from suitors if there would just be all these supplies up for grabs.
Unless… it isn’t what it seems.
The moment the thought crossed my mind, the first supply point placed in the center of the path wavered and misted into ash, revealing a shadow that certainly didn’t belong in the blistering heat.
A monstrous form took shape through the fog.
Muscular chest.
Legs of a horse.
