Page 27 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

RELEASE ME!

The command slams into my mind, jolting me from the white-hot agony searing through my skull.

I gasp for air, disoriented. My vision swims.

What—

RELEASE ME!

The unnatural voice ricochets inside my head, echoing with such force it rattles my bones.

I pry my mouth open to finally scream, but all that escapes is a thick exhale of black smoke. It coils in the air like a living thing before vanishing.

Then my body flies backwards.

The world tips, and my head slams into something solid. Bright stars explode behind my eyes. I slump onto the ground.

A snarl demands my attention.

“What did you do to him?” Draven’s face comes into view, his fangs bared, his eyes glowing white with fury. He hovers over me, inches away. His hot breath brushes my cheeks.

“W-what?” I blink rapidly, my vision struggling to focus. “I-I didn’t⁠—”

“WHAT DID YOU DO?”

My heart stutters.

Slender fingers clamp onto his shoulder. “Back the fuck up, Draven.”

He’s yanked away, replaced by Jaxon.

Jaxon crouches in front of me, his sharp eyes scanning my face. He holds out a hand. I flinch.

He pauses. “You hit your head. I need to check the wound.”

“Are…are you a healer?” I manage to ask.

One corner of his mouth lifts. “Not exactly, but we’ve made do with my skills this far.”

My head is too fuzzy to ask what he means. I take his hand, and he gently pulls me into a sitting position. Then his fingers brush my temple.

Warmth seeps from his touch, spreading across my scalp. I hold still as he closes his eyes.

His magic is careful as it slinks through me, gently probing to assess my injury. My whole body tenses, not because the magic hurts, but because I recognize it.

It feels like mine.

But no. It can’t be. Jaxon is Shadow Fae. And I’m...something else.

Unease coils in my gut. Draven’s heavy footsteps seem to shake the ground as he paces the tent like a caged beast.

My breath catches when I spot the Fae on the cot, his arms and legs flailing, his mouth open in a silent scream, but his eyes remain shut.

By the Gods…

The tanned Fae holds the thrashing male down. Shadows slither down his back, anchoring the cot in place.

I swallow hard and croak, “What’s wrong with him?”