Page 150 of Revealing Fate

Beulah looked sharply toward Lucien.

“What qualifications do you have to make such a claim, madam?” Stef asked.

“She trained under one of the most renowned menders in Ilistaar,” Kal said.

Felíne’s heart squeezed at the quiet pride in Kal’s voice. “I have treated patients with morticana poisoning,” she answered. “I know its presentation.”

Beulah stepped toward the platform. “Show us your hands, Lucien.”

“You would take the word of this liar?” Lucien spat. “And his scheming vixen? He murdered two men!”

“Men you paid to kill us,” Kal retorted. “We were attacked on my property. I was within my bounds to defend myself and my mate by any means necessary.”

Felíne’s gaze shot to Kal’s, but his attention was focused on Lucien. Did he even realize what he’d said? His mate? Gods above, he’d just publicly claimed her as his. Her stomach did a happy little flip, heedless of their precarious situation.

“You tortured⁠—”

“I am not so impetuous, Cross,” Kal said with disdain. “I do not deny killing Robb and Skott Carrow, but I did so quickly and without theatrics.”

“I saw the bodies,” Adder agreed, speaking up for the first time. “Kal wrapped them with care and delivered them to the Conclave’s hall. They bore none of the wicked marks they now carry.” He spat on the ground. “That was all you, Cross. You and your henchman, Harless, I’d bet.”

Ms. Carrow sniffed and peered up at them, bleary face pale and tear-stained. Her focus skipped between Lucien, Rask, the Conclave, and Adder. “What?”

“Lucien,” Beulah said, voice deceptively calm. “I will not ask you again. Show us your hands.”

Lucien’s hands tensed in his pockets. His eyes locked on Rask. Felíne noticed the moment he realized he was caught. She saw the defiance deaden his features. Her stomach dropped to her toes.

“Fools,” he grunted. “You will regret this.”

Chapter 53

LOCK AND KEY

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT OCCURRED TOO quickly for Felíne to track. Lucien ripped a squat blade from his pocket and thrust it at Kal. Felíne cried out in alarm. Kal twisted into the blow, straining against his restraints. Lucien slammed the knife into Kal’s chest, but the point deflected off a rib, carving a sloppy wound. Kal roared and kicked viciously at Lucien’s left knee. The joint shattered, tendons and ligaments popping as the leg hyperextended.

Lucien screamed as he fell.

Across the square, Rask exploded into his second form. He swiped a golden hand at Beaumont, who still held him. Stonehaugh dodged, and Rask’s vicious claws raked along the front of the large man’s armor. Rask wrenched free of his captor’s hold, turning toward the dais.

Felíne’s limbs trembled as Rask’s glaring blue gaze landed on her. She knew in that moment that he did not mean for her to leave. This male wanted her dead. Wanted payment for the sister he should have been reunited with.

Kalevar’s chest rumbled in warning behind her.

Rask’s lips curled with the challenge, and dread settled on Felíne’s shoulders like a mantle of doom. They were chained, skullcages locked about their heads. Kal was powerless to stop Rask from taking exactly what he wanted.

Harless prowled forward.

Behind him, Beaumont Stonehaugh shed his armor. His skin rippled and stretched, silver-streaked chocolate fur spilling out. His already large body became monstrous, gaining an additional four feet in height and four hundred pounds of weight. He was bigger than the bear that had chased Felíne through the woods. Nearly as large as Drexan had been. No wonder he hadn’t been bothered by the ursine mother.

Beaumont raised his broad head, opened his terrible maw, and bellowed.

Then he charged.

Rask barely spun in time to meet him. The two males clashed with claws and teeth, muscle and brawn. Beaumont was nearly three times Rask’s size, but Rask had the advantage of speed. He darted beneath a blow that would have caved in his skull. Rask swiped back, claws slicing into the meat of Beaumont’s thigh.

The bigger male roared and lurched to the side. A bench went flying. People screamed, scrambling to vacate the path of destruction.

The square devolved into chaos. Shurii shifted, shielding loved ones. Mothers fled with their children. Trained warriors formed lines to protect vulnerable civilians.