Page 71 of The Bones of the Cursed

Before I can snap back at him, the iron door creaks open. Aman in a long black cloak and hood enters. I try to peer at his face, but the darkness is too complete.

“I knew you would find your way to me,” the cloaked man says, emotionless and empty. My arms break out in goosebumps at the mere sound of it.

“Good for you. Do you want some kind of reward?” I can’t contain my sass, even as Elion curses under his breath. He always did say my smart mouth would get me into trouble.

The man chuckles, but it’s more of an annoyed fake laugh than anything real. He pulls his hands out of his cloak and slowly pushes the hood off. I hold my breath, already prepared for who is hidden beneath.

What I was not expecting was the man to be somewhat attractive. Don’t get me wrong, he is frightening as shit, and looks a little old for me, but he would be considered handsome in everyday society. Malakai is old but only looks to be about twenty-five in human years, tops. This man looks as if he is in his fifties.

His face is severe, with strong lines and a pointed chin, and his hair bright white. The scariest part is the fact a giant tattoo decorates his face and really emphasizes his white eyes. Not to mention the deadly sharp fangs protruding from his mouth. I’ve never seen a Fae with such long incisors.

“Iclas,” I state, determined not to show fear. I hold his gaze, keeping my chin high and trying to cover how shaky my hands are.

He gives me a smile that could make a person wet themselves. “Ah, you’ve done your research. I heard you were smart, and I’m pleased the whispers were not wrong.” He pulls a scroll from the pocket of his cape and I can see the blood drain from Elion’s face.

“I wonder if you knew of the research your brother was doing about you, though. He found such an interesting scroll, a PrimalScroll. You see, I have spent many decades growing in power, but never understood why I couldn’t reach my full potential. Damned to this cursed Isle, only able to leave for short periods through my portals. Imagine my surprise when my ghouls report that they found a scroll on one of the soldiers they took to help create my army. A scroll that, for all intents and purposes, gives me the answers I’ve been searching for day and night.”

He circles around my chair, running his finger through my hair as he goes. It wrings a shiver from my body, and not a good one.

He leans in and whispers in my ear. “Were you aware that there was an entireprophecywritten about you?”

I clench my teeth and stare at Elion. His body stiffens as if he doesn’t want me to find out the truth. A little late for that. “Yes, actually, I am, so unless you’re going to enlighten me with new information, I’d really like it if you stopped wasting my time.”

Iclas straightens and yanks my hair back with such force that my neck protests in agony. I hiss in pain, unwilling to vocalize it further.

“You want new information?” he purrs, staring down at my face. “I’ll give it you. You are the key to breaking this curse that traps me here. The only thing keeping me from taking over the Primal Realm. So, I will make you a deal.”

I wince as he releases my hair.

“You help me break this curse and I will release your brother.”

“Don’t do it,” Elion blurts without missing a beat.

Iclas backhands him, and everything in my body struggles not to cleave this bastard’s hand from his body. If only I could get my damn hands free.

“How do I break the curse? What does that stupid scroll say?”

Iclas walks to me and opens the scroll to let me read what has been written by the Fates.

Through the veins magic runs, the holder is the key.

For under the crescent moon the powers will come alive.

The dragon must be set free.

To free the land, one must perish

A willing sacrifice of what they most cherish.

For if evil overcomes, darkness will fall

The cursed unleashed upon us all.

I look at Elion and his expression says it all. We are well and truly fucked.

27

- ALANIS -

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