Page 80 of Maleen

“It wasn’t me,” he states, peering around the darkened corners of the room, passing right over where I’m hidden in the shadows. I smirk.

Evera huffs, the flame growing larger in her hand, and I know in a moment I’m going to lose the ability to use shadows.“Then who—”

Jesper chuckles deeply, the sound curling like smoke in my stomach as he relaxes into the chair. “That would be my mate, and she’s about to fuck up your day. Did I mention she’s deadly?”

The shadows throb again just as I jump out of my spot. With a knife in hand, I throw it at the Skuggi’s head with such strength it embeds itself to the hilt into his temple. The male drops like a rock. Next I slam my hand against the wall, coaxing the stone to seal the entrance that Evera is scurrying to, making her like a trapped rat, realizing there is nowhere left to go.

I tilt my head to the side, smiling so wide, I feel slightly unhinged, powerful and badass. Jesper was right about one thing. I’m going to fuck this bitch up.

My feet move with the silence of a prowling cat as I dart toward her, knife in hand. I steal the flame from her hand and squash it. My magick comes to me with ease as I use the tendrils of my shadows to pin her to the wall before slipping into her mind and cutting off all of her senses except for touch. Because I want this bitch to feel everything I’m about to do to her.

“Little Beastie, don’t kill her yet. We should bring her back and question her.” Jesper’s voice somehow makes it past the blood pounding through my ears and registers as safe, even if I don’t understand the words.

I fist the blade as I pound my knuckles into her face over and over again.

A hand lands on my shoulder and I whirl to find Aemon there. His face is like the calm rage of the sea as he holds me close. “Jesper is right, Little Dream. We can take her back to the dungeon and question her. That way you can take your time doling out the justice you deem fit for her crimes. Come back to us, Rav. Simmer the rage for later.”

“Come on, Little Warrior. Pull back the shadows so we can see your gorgeous face again.” Killian’s gruff voice comes from somewhere outside my shadows.

“That’s it baby girl. Let’s get your other mate home and checked over,” Talyn adds.

Jesper huffs. “I’m fine. I was enjoying watching our female come into her power and get all murdery.”

The shadows melt away and all my mates are there. Aemon must have blinked them over when I went rogue. “Where are Nero, Ember and Roz?”

Aemon tilts my head up and Talyn and Killian work to remove Evera from the wall and restrain her. “They are heading back to Maleen with the dragons. We are going to blink back. I don’t think Nero is going to be too happy you left him behind,” he adds.

I wince and reach for our bond. “Nero, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking. Are you okay?”

It takes a moment for him to respond. “I’ll forgive you if you bring me an eyeball. It’s been so long since I’ve added to my collection. Plus Vasari wouldn’t know how to get home without me.”

“Carefull, feathered rodent, or an accident might happen where your collection gets roasted to a crisp.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” he gasps.

I sigh in relief before moving over to Jesper who’s now untied from the chair. “Are you okay? I came as fast as I could. Why would you jump in front of Talyn like that! How did you even know that Skuggi fae was there?” The questions pour out of me like an artillery explosion.

He wraps his arms around me. “Well if you take a second to pull some oxygen into your lungs, I’ll answer,” he laughs, and I snap my lips shut.

“The bitch is secure,” Talyn growls.

Aemon nods, holding his hands out for us to grab. “Jesper can answer after we get her secured in the dungeon for questioning. I’m not sure where we are, but I hear movement from down the hall.”

That gets us all moving. Evera wiggles and attempts to scream but Aemon has gagged her. Or maybe it was Killian, always so clever about my protection.

Aemon and I’s shadow magick pulse together and engulf us all as we blink back to Maleen where I’m determined to finally get some answers.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

THE MOMENT THE SHADOWS RELEASE us, I run to Jesper. My hands skitter over him worriedly as I convince my subconscious that he is all in one piece, in front of me and safe.

When I finally catch my breath I peer up at him through narrowed eyes. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again!” Probably illogical, but it’s how I feel, so I’m running with it.

He pouts. “Awe, but Rav, that was probably the most fun I’ve had in ages.” He pulls me in and kisses my head. “But I promise to at least think before jumping in next time… Maybe.” Jesper laughs, spinning me.

I know the situation wasn’t ideal, that no matter who got abducted—which would have happened anyway because of how caught off guard we were—it would have been stressful. At least we know they were after Talyn—well…Evera was anyway.

My worry for my mates gets buried with anger as I realize that Evera is currently in my dungeon. Jesper’s grin lights up with excitement as he senses where my thoughts are going.