Page 31 of Captive of the Stolen Empire

“Leave her alone. Don’t you know better than to mess with the emperor’s guests?” I settled into a loose stance. Nyke’s guidance from our old training sessions flashed through my mind as I stared down the men. He’d trained me for years, and though I was never good with blades, his lessons on self-preservation had stuck well. In just a few moments I could rush the advancing guards, push past the bastards and flee. Too bad I didn’t have a knife. Leaving a few bloody gashes in my wake would be the perfect revenge for terrifying my friend.

“Yer pretty ‘nough,” one man slurred as his attention slid over me like an eel. “Can’t wait to hold that hair while ya scream.”

He lunged for me. I dodged, landing a kick to his legs that sent him stumbling.

The dark-haired man to his right stepped forward. My fist connected with his nose. He reeled back, roaring in pain.

Before I could turn, something crashed into my cheek, sending me careening into the stone wall. Pain bloomed fierce and bright on the side of my face. Blood trickled down to my chin as I leaned on the wall for support.

“Ilya!” Elin’s cry hit me harder than any physical blow.

What was she still doing here? I’d seen her leave. Why did she come back? She didn’t have the skills to defend herself let alone me. Dread flowed through my veins as I tried to get a grip on my surroundings. I had to protect her. She was too much like Justina. Sweet. Innocent. I couldn’t let them touch her.

The man who’d hit me paled and stumbled back just as a gruff voice full of barely suppressed rage rumbled from somewhere behind me. “That was a mistake.”

Chapter14

Lucien

Magic leaped and tingled under my skin, responding to my fury and begging to be unleashed. How dare they?

“You know our guests are not to be harmed, especially not by your hand,” I said, voice rough and quivering as my control slipped.

The men tripped over themselves as they backed away, stumbling and mumbling.

“We d-didn’t—”

“Just having fun.”

Ilya twisted against the wall. “Lucien…”

“Take Lady Elin to her room,” I ordered Warren. She’d come upon us in the hallway. Her wide-eyed, troubled expression and hurried pace signaled a problem before she spoke. Then I’d heard Ilya cry out in pain. My hand fisted tighter. If only I’d gotten to her sooner.

“See that she’s safe,” I continued. Firelight danced off the bangle around Ilya’s arm. She’d worn it. Thank The Four.

I released the tourniquet on my magic, letting illusions leap forth into the hall—dark, bloody beasts of legend. Black claws scraped against stone. Mouths with double rows of razor-sharp teeth opened wide to keen and bellow. The scent of burned hair and the metallic tang of blood filled the hall. Pus oozed from sores upon the creatures’ bodies where they crouched upon the stone, ready to spring.

Ilya’s head snapped toward the men as yells filled the hall.

The man who’d hit her fell screaming to the ground, clutching his face as the illusion hound raked its claws across him. Another man attacked his chest and arms, scratching and clawing where the creature’s poisonous spittle splashed over him. The third fell into a heap, crying and twitching where he lay.

The scene should have given me satisfaction. An enemy brought to their knees by a simple showing of my powers. But all I could focus on was the injured woman nearby.

In a heartbeat, I was beside her. “Are you alright?”

Her attention was fixed on the men, though I knew the bangle protected her from the illusion I’d crafted. She blinked, only turning when I cupped her uninjured cheek and turned it my way. She’d fought so bravely.

“Ilya?”

Curses and another scream echoed from the end of the hall.

Fuck.Of course others would come running when they heard the cries. I pulled my magic, reining it in until the illusion vanished. Power still hummed under my skin, willing me to use it, to continue what I’d started.

The screaming subsided. Sobs took up their place. One guard retched, voiding his stomach.

“Guards,” I called to the new arrivals. “Seize these three.” I waved a hand at the offenders. To their credit, the new guards obeyed at once. Four encroached from one direction, two from the other. I committed each face to memory. They’d have my thanks—later.

“Bind their arms. Throw them in a cell for attacking our emperor’s guests. We’ll sort out what to do with them later.” I’d seen those three before, trailing after Orson like loyal dogs. He’d encouraged their disgusting behavior or ignored it. Either was unacceptable. Another problem to deal with.

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