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“What exactly do you want from me?”
“Perhaps I’m interested to see who the hybrid heir is when she’s not clamped to the side of that fae bastard.”
I gave him a pitying look. “If you think he’d beat you in a fight, just say that. This is unnecessary.”
His smile was cold. “Let me guess. You think he’s coming for you.”
I knew he was.
He angled his head. “Do you truly believe we didn’t have something special waiting for the Bloodthirsty Prince, your brother, and anyone else stupid enough to travel with you? They’re not going to rescue you. By now, they’re all dead. So I suggest you begin learning how to cooperate if you want to save yourself some pain.”
My stomach clenched, and I clamped down on the urge to heave. It was a lie. They weren’t dead. I would know, deep in my bones, if they were. I would feel it. He was trying to get under my skin.
“Don’t believe me?” He shook his head. “You will.”
His fist flew toward my temple, and the world turned black.
* * *
The creature smashed through the labyrinth walls, tossing stone and fae iron aside as if they were nothing.
Four colossal legs, gnarled and twisted—the bark-like skin resembling ancient tree trunks. Those legs ended in wickedly curved talons that gleamed in the light orbs.
Asinia ducked, narrowly missing a rock to the side of her head. A rock the creature had kicked at her.
That told me it had some level of intelligence.
“Watch for the traps!” Demos roared as we sprinted toward the entrance.
“It’s almost on us,” Asinia panted. She tripped, and Demos caught her arm, pulling her faster.
I brought up the rear, guarding their backs. The creature’s fetid breath dampened the air, and I cursed. “We need to make a stand.”
Demos darted around another rock. “We need to get closer to the entrance first.”
He didn’t say the words we were all thinking. With the way the creature’s vicious horns were slamming into the roof of the caves, they could crumble at any moment.
We’d spent two days down here, moving as quickly as we could. Regner had arranged for the creature to find us at the worst possible time—when we were running out of food, water, and patience.
I risked a glance over my shoulder, aiming my power in a thin bolt toward its feet. I had so little left, I was almost completely drained. Useless.
The creature roared, falling back. But not before I caught another glimpse of it.
It looked like something out of my worst nightmares.
My worst nightmares before I’d met Prisca. Now, the slobbering beast behind us was nothing compared to the knowledge that she was gone.
That she had been taken.
Right in front of me.
Demos wore her hourglass around his neck. And he was moving faster, while my own steps slowed.
The hourglass was countering the fae iron. Because it recognized his blood.
“Use your power,” I snarled.
“I am. My power is telling us to fucking run.”
