Page 35 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

Any of it.

Damn it!

Frustrated tears burn the backs of my eyes.

“I made a mistake, Lev.” The fiery warning simmers against my neck, reminding me to watch what I say, reminding me of the deal I never should have made. “A huge, unforgivable mistake.”

8

My hands won’t stop shaking as I cling to Lev’s shirt.

Nothing can undo what I’ve done. I’ve condemned Verdanthia to a terrible fate. And I can’t even warn them about it.

Lev clutches me tighter and growls in my ear, “It’ll be okay.”

I jerk my head, hot tears staining his shirt.

“Do you hear me, Elara?” The fierceness in his voice promises something he can’t control. “I swear by all the Gods, we will figure a way to get you out of this.”

I’m not proud of how desperately I cling to him or his reassurance, even knowing there’s nothing in our world that can defeat a Fae.

Except the curse ravaging that poor male’s body…

Now that I’m away from the Fae, my stomach twists. What exists that can do that to one of the most powerful beings in the world?

The Fae were created in the Old Gods’ image—formidable, near indestructible. Humans didn’t have a chance when they invaded our lands. But, apparently, they have a weakness…and I’ve been charged with undoing it.

“Lev.” One of the men speaks up. Hard eyes glare out above his thin scarf. “We need to go.”

I follow his gaze to the forest and rear back with a frightened squeak.

Glowing, slanted, animalistic eyes stare out through the thicket of trees. Something rustles in the brush. Insects sing their eerie songs.

The woods have come to life once more. Jaxon must’ve returned to his camp, allowing the other predators to come out to play.

“Right.” Lev picks up his sword and sheaths it. Then he wraps an arm around my shoulders and tucks me into his side. “Let’s go.”

The masked men fall into formation behind Lev as he escorts me away from the forest.

My heart races as I think about my daunting task and the repercussions if I fail, but with each step I take, with each inhale of Lev’s familiar soap and leather scent, some fear rolls off my shoulders, left to smolder on the ground behind me.

Just like the Fae’s shadows.

I glance at my forearm pressed against Lev’s stomach. The shadows remain. They’re still, but I’m not naive enough to believe they will remain that way.

The crooked shacks that scarcely pass as liveable structures are silent as we pass. No curious whispers travel on the breeze. No lights peek through the ill-fitted shutters covering the windows.

The Fae dragged me into the Forbidden Forest north of town, yet Jaxon brought me out on the town’s southern edge. Did he use magic to trick me? To confuse me so I wouldn’t be able to find my way back to their camp?

He must have.

I snort. What a wasted effort. There’s no way in the six hells I’d ever willingly go back into that forest.

The crunch of our footsteps on dirt and rocks echoes through the night while the bitter taste of fear lingers on my tongue.

“Where is everyone?” I whisper.

“The Elders declared a curfew,” Lev mutters. “No one protested.”