Page 229 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

What in the hells is this?

The shadows that created the marks on my arms should have left my body.

They should have returned to their master once I upheld my end of our deal.

Why do they remain?

Perhaps because their master is gone?

My throat tightens.

No. I refuse to believe that.

Rian is fine. He’ll be here with the others soon, and then we can all escape this wretched place.

“Think you can stand?” Silas asks Darius.

My gaze refocuses on the newly healed Fae, tracking his movements as he does, indeed, stand.

My smile returns, wider than before.

Darius looks strong. Imposing. The shadows around him continue to bounce and twist, thrilled with their master’s recovery.

His eyes lock onto me, his smile just as wide and bright as mine. Until it falters.

“Elara!” he shouts, lunging forward. “Behind you⁠—”

His warning comes too late.

A strong fist dives into my hair.

A scream tears from my throat as I’m yanked to my feet, but the sound cuts off when the head of a dark arrow digs into my neck.

42

I am really, really tired of people pressing blades against my throat.

Almost as if my attacker can hear my thoughts, the arrow kissing my neck is replaced with a fist wreathed in fire. Heat blooms against my skin.

That’s not much better.

“Don’t move,” a heavily accented voice growls in my ear.

The male’s other hand clamps around my upper arm, fingers digging in with bruising strength.

I don’t know if it’s the complete and utter exhaustion left behind by my recent battle with Darius’s curse, or if I’m simply done with finding myself one breath away from death, but something in me snaps.

“I wasn’t planning on it,” I hiss.

His grip tightens. “Careful, girl.”

I try to turn my head to catch a glimpse of him, but the blaze flickers closer.

I jerk away, my back slamming into my captor’s chest. Cool leather brushes my bare shoulder. I drop my gaze, catching the edge of his trousers and polished boots. He’s dressed like the fallen pirates littering the beach.

A snarl vibrates through his chest.

“Stay where you are,” he shouts.