Page 143 of Their Blood Rite

‘Shit.’ My head lolls, and with a groan, I fall on my side. ‘Is it out?’

He nods and looks at the castle.

‘Go,’ I whisper. ‘There are injured inside.’

‘How do you know?’

‘I saw them. Please… I need a minute.’

He gets to his feet and runs towards the others.

I’m put in the main hall whilst the guys and some of their men work through the part of the castle that caught fire. I sit on the floor with my head on my knees, willing the world to stop spinning. Kieran, the male Fae, sits with me, offering me water I can’t stomach and speaking words of comfort I can’t stand to hear. My head pounds, sending stabbing pains throughout my entire body. Kieran settles on rubbing slow circles on my back. It helps, and I’m thankful.

That is until a high-pitched voice pierces my ears.

‘Happy now?’

‘Not now, Banshee,’ I reply, not even lifting my head.

‘This is your fault, you know,’ she accuses.

‘She wasn’t even here,’ Kieran retorts, his hand still offering me gentle comfort.

‘My masters have made this castle and its lands a sanctuary for creatures who would otherwise be killed out in the world. She's here for less than a month, and we’ve been attacked twice.’

I manage to lift my head. She’s scowling at me. Her skin is covered in soot and ash. Her hair is a ratty mess, and the stench of smoke oozes off her.

‘Fuck off.’ I force myself to my feet, helped by Kieran, who grips my elbows to keep me up. ‘I’m not in the mood. Kieran. Can you help me up to my room?’

‘Sure.’

‘My masters said for her to stay here.’

‘I want to go to bed. Move.’

I go to walk around her. She screams, releasing her banshee cry. It’s otherworldly and utter agony. I’m on my knees, hands clasped over my ears and screaming in pain. Kieran falls with me, resting his hands over mine to at least try and help protect me. She stops and slams her hand on her hip.

‘My masters told you to stay. So you will stay.’

All I can do is fall forward, whimpering as I cradle my head. Pain. I’m in so much pain I can’t move. I daren’t even cry through fear my brain will explode and dribble through my ears.

‘What the hell is happening?’ Dorian bellows. ‘Ashe?’ He charges towards us and kneels beside me. His hand settle on the back of my head, making me whimper. ‘Why are you screaming, Banshee?’

‘She was trying to escape,’ she complains.

‘She was trying to go to bed, you fucking hag,’ Kieran argues. ‘Dorian. She’s in an incredible amount of pain. She can barely move. She needs to sleep it off. That bitch's scream just about finished your witchling off.’

‘Your head is that bad?’ Dorian asks gently, his hands resting on my shoulders as he eases me up.

I slump into his chest, sinking into him.

‘I’ve never seen an earth witch her age do magic like that before,’ Kieran says. ‘I don’t think I have ever seen it full stop. To have such a command over the soil. To send it far from her sight.’

‘She needs rest,’ Dorian replies, scooping me up in his arms. ‘I’ll take her to bed.’

‘She may have some serious damage, Dorian. That level of power isn’t normal for-’

‘We’ll look after her, Kieran.’

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