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My head swivels.
Atlas stands maybe five feet behind me, with Hex and Silence at his sides. Malice isn’t visible, but I can feel him. I know he’s here somewhere too.
The pop of the portal being open makes Ember screech. She finally starts to fight against Veryn and, ultimately, Davick’s hold.
“I was going to ask you to go first, but I actually think this will be more effective.” Davick chuckles, stepping backward into the open portal.
Emerson and Charity scream behind me, but my magic pulls me forward. Or maybe that’s basic decency. Those kids wouldn’t be at risk if it weren’t for my mess.
“Guess we’re popping through a portal today,” Bane says, jogging at my side. “I fucking hate portals.”
The glow radiating off the large oval is so bright, it burns my eyes, but I don’t think it through.
I jump.
I guess it’s true what they say about never being able to escape your past. I sure hope my sister and her people are ready to be reunited, because I’m officially tired of these games.
ChapterTwenty-Nine
Malice
“Fuck,” Atlas growls.
“I’m going to spank her ass for that,” Silence mutters.
“Me too,” Hex agrees.
“Don’t fret,” I tell Charity and Emerson. “We’ll be back with them before you know it.”
“Everyone, grab a shadow,” I grumble, mentally preparing myself for the agony I know is coming my way. They won’t make it, even with supernatural speed. The two fae hold their arrows at the ready, and that’s another concern.
There’s only one option, and that’s siphoning. Hopefully those fae fucks understand what they’ve done. I’m going to be very hungry when we land, and their nightmares are permanently on my menu.
Fiery pain rips through my cells as we tumble through the portal. I carefully coil my shadows tighter around my packmates as we jostle and jolt.
Hard stone comes into view within an instant. I pull up with all my might, but I have some heavy-ass monsters in my grip.
They slam against the floor in various crumpled heaps. My shadows thankfully save me from that landing as I listen to Silence bitch and groan. Oh well. If he can speak, that means he’s fine.
I dart off, searching for a dark corner. It’s probably best that we not show all of our cards at once. Luckily, the room is lit by candlelight, and there are plenty of darker areas for me to pop in and out of.
Ali stands, looking every bit the regal and elegant queen she is. Her birth order ensures that, by fae law, she should be the one sitting on that throne where her sister perches. My tendrils dance out like baby snakes, coiling their way around the room.
“What is the meaning of this?” Aryndia asks, hitting her feet. “Alinelle?” Her hand flies to her mouth, putting on quite the production. She’s too far from my reach, but it’s only a matter of time. For all the hell she’s put my mate through, I’m not above mentally torturing a woman. Especially considering it would only be with replaying her own sins.
“You wanted me and I’m here.” Ali’s shoulders pull back. “Have your henchman release those children, now!” Her magic echoes in her words, sending the order through the room filled with royals and the High Fae Council. Their eyes widen almost comically.
Bane pushes himself off the floor, making a move toward the kids, and two arrows pierce his chest. He looks down at the minor inconvenience, growling, “You motherfuckers are really trying my last goddamn nerve.”
“Banyan Oxtari?” Aryndia asks, slowly taking the stairs down to the others. “Why is he here?”
“He’s a wanted criminal,” Davick declares. “And I believe he made off with one of the dragon heirs upon his defection.”
“You stupid son of a bitch,” Bane snarls, shaking his head as he breaks off the end of one of the arrows.
My interest is only partially on the show they’re putting on. I’m far more interested in learning who conspired against the royal family on the day Ali was married.
“I’m serious.” Ali points a finger at Davick. “Release them now.” She looks at her sister. “Did you know he was going to break the accords with the human realm? Are you so far removed from reality that you’ve lost all your humanity? Children aren’t a fucking bargaining chip.” Fury vibrates off her in waves.
