Page 82 of Secrets of Ruin

“To scare the shit out of him first.” Brokk’s attention shifted to Kaylia. “Or do you have something you’d prefer to do?”

“I want him out of here,” she said, “and dead.”

“You have my guarantee on that.”

“Are we going to kill the other warlocks too?” Lexi asked.

“Only if they give us trouble,” Cole answered.

Orin finished his drink and set it on the bar. “Let’s get this party started.”

Sahira sighed. “Brute force it is then.”

With a smile in place, Orin strolled toward Fabian’s table. Nowhere near as amused or excited to jump into a fight, Varo walked behind him as they crossed the scarred wooden floor.

Kaylia’s heart hammered, and her throat went dry as they approached the man who’d poisoned her, used her, and torn her life apart. Every part of her longed to leap forward and batter him into a bloody pulp, but they had to try to avoid conflict—she just wasn’t sure that was possible.

CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE

Orin stopped beside the table and casually rested the tips of his fingers on the back of the booth behind Fabian’s head. “You’re Fabian, aren’t you?”

It felt like someone punched Kaylia in the gut when Fabian’s head tipped back to reveal his brown eyes. She’d always considered them warm and beautiful, but now an icy gleam shone in them as he surveyed Orin with open disdain.

“And you’re a… nobody.”

Orin rested his stump over his heart. “You don’t know who I am? I’m amazed. My reputation usually precedes me.”

When the warlocks noticed Orin’s missing hand, a sneer curved the corners of their mouths. Beside her, Sahira stiffened as anger emanated from her.

“I already told you, you’re a nobody,” Fabian said. “Your older brother is the one with all the power.”

Orin tapped his chin. “That’s true; Cole does have a lot of power. So does his future bride, but so do I and my other brothers.”

The warlocks all started laughing when they looked at Varo.

“He’s part light fae; a puppy invokes more fear than him!” one chortled, and the others laughed louder.

Little ever bothered Varo, but this caused his eyebrows to rise as he and Orin exchanged a look before they both grinned.

“What kind of puppy do you think you’d be?” Orin asked him.

“Probably a golden retriever,” Varo replied. “They’re pretty friendly, and I am food motivated.”

“I was thinking more like one of those beast dogs the dagadon had. They liked to eat a lot.”

“As long as someone gives me some treats, I’ll be happy.”

The warlocks looked unamused by the brothers’ banter.

“Why are you here?” Fabian demanded.

Orin rubbed his chin as he pondered these words. “Now, that’s a good question, but I must ask, why are any of us here?”

“Very good question, brother,” Varo murmured.

“I thought so too.”

They were still smiling at each other when Fabian started to rise. The music stopped when Orin grasped his shoulder and shoved him down again.