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“Come on, you bastards!” I scream through the tears. “Come and get me!”
I can no longer make out the creatures’ expressions, just the shapes of their faces. Until one steps forward and begins to transform. Bones pop as it grows tall and slender. Its skin turns pale, and red hair erupts from its scalp.
“Is this better?” it speaks, its voice a replica of mine. In fact, the only difference is the eyes. Black orbs stare out at me, and it smiles.
I slash out with the blade but miss.
My leg stings, and I drop to the ground. Warmth trickles from my leg. Another blur of movement so fast it spurs a gust of wind that makes my hair sway, blood gushes from my arm.
“You cowards!” I scream. “Fucking cowards!”
Reaching up with my free hand, I angrily wipe my tears away so I can see what I’m dealing with—sadistic doppelganger aside. Any hope I had is extinguished when I see the dozens of creatures staring back at me.
They all watch, amusement in their eyes.
The one that has shifted to look like me steps forward. “We can smell death on you. It clings to your flesh. We will enjoy it.”
The thing lunges, so I swing my blade with a scream. My blade catches on its chest, and it roars. A hand cracks across my face, and I’m thrown to the ground, but I keep my hand tightened on the blade. I’m so fucking tired of being a victim.
Pushing up as best I can, I just start slashing out as quickly as possible. Even as searing pain spreads through my body.
Until a deafening roar rips through the sounds of my cries.
The creatures scatter as more than a dozen fae rush inside. I push back into the corner, trying to remain out of view, but my movements are strained. Every part of my body feels like it’s on fire—the same way it does with an attack, only—worse.
“Ember!”
“Raffe?” I choke out and raise my head.
He marches around the corner—muscled body streaked in blood—and doesn’t stop until he’s kneeling in front of me. “Bloodthirsty fuckers,” he snarls as he gently holds my chin, lifting my head up to check my throat.
My body shakes uncontrollably, but I still cling to the blade.
“Ember.”
I close my eyes and lean forward—into him. His hard body presses against my chest. But we don’t stay on the ground long. Moments later, he’s pulling me into his arms and leaving the cavern behind.
* * *
I come to slowly,exhaustion stripping away, bit by bit, until I can fully open my eyes. Every muscle in my body aches, but thanks to Rafferty and his fae healing, the injuries I sustained are healed now.
I’m not even entirely sure what time he helped me into bed last night, but as I sit up and scan the room, I breathe a sigh of relief in seeing that I’m not alone.
In the corner, seated against the tub, is Rafferty. His head is dipped, chin pressed to his chest, as he breathes steadily. In the soft glow of embers, I can barely make out his form, and his face is completely shielded in darkness.
My chest burns, and my gaze drifts to the stitched hole in the tent where the creature ripped through to get to me. The image of it, the feel of its fingers around my wrist—I shiver and press the covers off of me. Slowly, I swing both legs off the bed and stand.
My legs begin to shake, the muscles quivering beneath my weight, so I brace myself on the bed and take a deep breath.
One step.
Two.
And then they give out. “Shit!” I whisper as I fall to the floor. This bond is going to be the death of me.
“Ember!”
My cheeks heat, embarrassment burning me up like a fever as Rafferty reaches down and lifts me. Cradling me against his chest, he carries me back to the bed and sets me down.
