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The hound halts, its shaggy head whipping to face the Evermore, a low warning snarl spilling from its deep chest.
Whatever it sees, the hellhound’s growl becomes a low whine as it ducks back into the woods and flees.
For some reason, I remember Hellebore’s words about the predators fighting each other off to claim their prey. Only whoever is stalking this way is so terrifying that the hellhound didn’t even try to fight for me.
14
When the approaching Evermore laughs, my worst fears come to life. Inara. At least before, she couldn’t outright act on her hatred of me. But now, jacked up on primordial magic straight from the depths of the Fae Hells, she looks like she could eviscerate me and wear my entrails as a necklace without batting an eye.
As she stalks closer, I realize she’s mostly still in her non-shifted form, although her eyes have taken on a feline quality, and fangs protrude from her upper lip.
That would seem like a good sign except flanking her are three fully shifted Evermore. The first, a sleek snow leopard with faded silver spots and menacing features, is definitely Bane. The second, a beautiful gray wolf, is probably Lyra, her lycan bestie.
And I recognize the part wolf, part elk creature near the back as Rhaegar. His lupine gaze is near unrecognizable as he watches me with a terrible hunger.
Inara’s cruel grin settles low in my stomach. “We heard your cry for help, little lamb. Were you calling for your Winter Prince?” She makes a show of looking around while the others slowly circle me. “A shame, he’s not here. I guess he’s finally tired of you.”
All the moisture shrivels from my mouth as I scour the area for an escape route. Nothing. I throw a quick glance over my shoulder at Asher—
“Grayscale won’t save you either,” Inara adds. “He’s going to be busy for a while, I think.”
Clenching my jaw, I force myself to face her. Something glints from her hand—a golden chain.
I raise an eyebrow. “I’m flattered you want me as your shadow, Inara, but I’ll die before you get that metal around my neck.”
“If you insist.” She swings the chain in little circles as she draws closer. “But I don’t want you, idiot. Someone else decided you’d make an entertaining pet. He probably heard how fond you are of your Keepers.”
Crap. Only one dickwad prince could make her do his bidding. Hellebore. I eye the chain, heart jackhammering into my ribs. “Are you forgetting what Hellebore did the last time you tried to mess with me?”
Her head falls back as she laughs. “You think he cares if I hurt you? He’s watching us right now.”
That mofo. Hoping he can hear me, I shout, “What kind of spineless bastard has others do his dirty work?”
“The kind that likes to play twisted little games with lesser creatures like yourself.” She grins, lifting the chain. “Now come here, little lamb. It’s time to see if we can tame you.”
I bolt to my right, but Bane is on me in a flash, his mouth stretched wide, showing off his inch-long fangs. I pivot to my left, only to run up against Lyra as she charges, herding me back to my spot on the cliff.
My heart pounds in my skull, mixing with the sound of the rushing water at my back.
Desperation kicks in. Ruby has taken to the air and is dive bombing the Evermore, trying to take their attention away from me. Bane swipes the air with his claws, barely missing Ruby. Lyra snaps at the air trying to catch her.
The plucky sprite keeps attacking.
Any one of those blows could kill her . . .
“Ruby!” I plead. “Get out of here.”
Inara grins as her eyes shift to the stubborn sprite, who refuses to give up her hopeless attack. Refuses to save herself, because she’s the best damn sprite in the entire Everwilde.
And now, Inara is going to hurt her.
No. My insides twist as I read the intention in Inara’s sneer.
Something inside me snaps. No more.
Baring my teeth, I lunge forward before the others can stop me and catch Inara with a roundhouse kick to the face. My bare foot smacks her jaw with a satisfying crack.
I’m going to savor that sound for the rest of my undoubtedly short existence.
