Page 82 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

Our amusement fades when a shrill cry shoots into the air.

We look toward the sound and both flinch when Jaxon spears the cloaked creature in the chest. A gust of wind weaves through the air. The creature disintegrates, and what’s left of it drifts off into the night.

Adrenaline flows out of my body. I straighten, then immediately lean against Ferria as every ache and pain begins to thrum in time with my pulse. The arm damaged by talons continues to seep blood, sapping my strength with every heartbeat.

“What is your problem, silver eyes?” Ferria hisses by my ear.

My forehead furrows as I follow her glare, and I suck in a breath when I take in the swirling mass of shadows, punctuated by two orbs of bright silver eyes, narrowed in fury.

“What are you two doing out at this hour?” Rian snarls back.

“Walking,” she snaps. “It’s a nice night.”

The shadows pulse. “Didn’t your leader demand you return home?”

Jaxon wipes his blade on his pant leg before twisting his wrist. The blade disappears into thin air. “Rian, maybe you should⁠—”

“Steelvice is not our leader,” Ferria hisses.

Her body vibrates with anger.

I want to tell her to calm down—to remind her that the Fae saved us. That they aren’t the childhood bullies she used to confront on my behalf. But I can’t open my mouth.

Dizziness hits me, and my muscles give out. I slump against my sister.

“Elara!”

Delirium dances at the edge of my thoughts. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Ferria say my name so many times in such a short period.

My lips twitch, too tired to smile properly, too delusional not to try.

“Move out of my way.” Rian growls.

Shadows fall over the world. I blink, then silver eyes puncture the darkness, locked on my blurry gaze before running over my body and landing on my shoulder.

“What happened?”

“She was stabbed,” Ferria says with an obvious tone.

“By what?” Jaxon kneels next to my injured arm.

“C-claws,” I mutter, eyes fluttering.

I need to stay awake. My odds of recovery dwindle significantly if I pass out.

Jaxon growls under his breath. “Those demons shouldn’t be here.”

Demons?

“They usually stay in the forest,” Ferria tells Jaxon, sounding far less obstinate than she did when speaking to Rian. “They’ve never attacked anyone outside the forest. Except…”

“Except?” Jaxon prompts.

My head falls back.

Ferria glances down at me, then back to the Fae. “Lev…our friend. He said he fought something from the forest. An Onyx Wraith.”

The power that hovers in the air billows.