Page 28 of Stone Sentinels

“Then you wouldn’t mind if I had my fill of her?” Theren’s voice is teasing now. He licks his lips and watches Eilish through the tinted glass, eyes feasting on the succubus as if he’s never seen anything more delicious.

I understand. There isn’t anything more delicious. And this I know from experience.

There’s something answering in Eilish’s gaze as she takes in the sight of him. I can practically hear her pulse quicken as she watches him, tracing his body with her eyes. I’m almost grateful when Pyre pulls her away.

If she fucks Theren, my fucking brother… I will forever turn my back on her.

Not for the first time since I joined this mission, I wish I weren’t the one looking in from the outside. But I have no one else to blame but myself. I stole from Pyre and betrayed his trust, placed my own needs before those of the group. Even Dragan and Baron, two of the most selfish individuals I know, are changing for the better. And yet, here I am—just outside the line of trees that separates The Veil Forest from the clearing before the cottage.

I should have been here, training Eilish and helping the others plan our next attack; instead, I was in Oronrel trying to reason with my brother. Shame and bitter regret fill me up inside. Dragan moves to the window next, with Baron at his side. The vampire sneers through the glass and they look at me like they’ve already decided I’m guilty of betraying their trust, nevermind the fact that I’m returning with my hands and mouth bound. Nevermind that I’m returning as Theren’s prisoner.

I wish I could lie and say Dragan and Baron are wrong to look at me with so much disgust, but I can’t. I won’t.

“Eilish Inoa Fulthain, daughter of Gildlorthoine, the lost King of the succubae, and Maeline Fulthain, Healing Light of The Angels,” Theren calls out. The mention of her mother’s name causes me to flinch and lower my head. “Come forth, so that we may speak peacefully. My men will not harm you so long as Dragan and Baron stay where they are.”

Good. Theren doesn’t sense Pyre. The necromancer’s signature must be masked by the magic of The Veil.

I don’t want Eilish to walk into the clearing, because I’m suddenly not sure what Theren will do to her. Maybe kill her as soon as she makes it through the door?

He won’t kill her,I tell myself.Not before he fucks her.

And clearly he wants to fuck her. I can see it in his eyes.

Theren lifts his hand and gestures for his men to move into position. Archers take to the trees as swordsmen stand in formation to defend their king. With a snap of his fingers, Theren removes the gag from my mouth.

“They don’t wish to fight you, Theren,” I say for his ears only. “We know someone is controlling you. We can help you break free fromthat person’scommand.” It’s my last chance to try to reason with him. To try to make him see the truth—that he’s merely someone’s puppet. I face him earnestly. “Join us, Brother, and rise with those who resist the crown. Variant may be lost to the darkness, but you don’t have to be.”

“You think I don’t wish to be one with the darkness?” Theren asks, shaking his head as his eyes bore into mine. “I’m Unseelie, Cambion! You can have your forests and your fucking light. I want none of it. What I desire is the throne of the gods. That’s where the true power lies.”

“True power comes from within—”

“Quiet!” he shouts. “Morrigan’s teachings are false. Or have you still not opened your eyes to the truth of her nature? How blind you must be.” Theren shakes his head in disbelief. “You are, aren’t you? I can’t understand how someone so wise and knowledgeable about the ways of the Realms, with a vast comprehension and natural talent for the arcane arts, can be so fucking stupid. Stop trying to think the best of everyone while you make a villain of yourself.”

“Is this where you gift me with your words of wisdom, Theren?” I demand, my voice angry and hurt. “Right before you kill me and… my friends?”

“I told you not to take the oath,” he says quietly. I see something flash in his gaze, something that looks like regret? Whatever it is, it gives me hope that he’s not completely lost, after all. “The words were there, beautiful and full of vision, but they weren’t spoken with truth. Listen to those who show doubt around you, Cambion. Ask yourself the important questions and do away with the rest.”

“And what are the important questions?” I demand. Theren shakes his head once again and falls silent. One of his men comes over to ask about battle strategies, and I try my best to listen in. In doing so, I learn there are soldiers all over the forest, surrounding the cottage. Theren regrets leaving behind the troll, which would have been terrible news for the others. Another small miracle for which I’m grateful.

When my brother finishes with his little strategizing meeting, he turns back to me with a devilish grin. “All of your friends and allies will die if the angel does not respond to my request and soon. I will not speak to anyone else in that cottage, I can smell their incompetence from here. Eilish or no one. Keep that in mind as we wait.”

“And what of Aima?”

“She won’t be around long. Aima has always run away from her troubles unless they can be solved with a blade or cunning,” he replies.

“That isn’t true. The Aima you know now is merely the person you forced her to become. The Aima I knew long ago would never have come close to a sword.”

“I turned her into a survivor.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

DRAGAN

The Veil

“That bastard!” I storm away from the window and immediately punch a hole into the wall. Pyre grabs my shoulder and spins me around, pressing me against the brick. I see red. My fists fly before I have time to pull my head out of my ass and realize who I’m swinging at. Pyre dodges all my blows and uses a spell to force my muscles to go slack. “Let’s fight and end this!” I say. “Cambion betrayed us. We see that now. No need to hesitate any longer!”

“It isn’t that simple,” Pyre argues.

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