Page 34 of Stone Sentinels

I have a sense of purpose now—a feeling I haven’t had before. Now, I have a place, a role to play in the aftermath of the deception that claimed my soul.

I hear voices carry as I climb, faint sounds that are no more than whispers. My body stills and I shiver, sensing death lurking close by. Pyre taught me that because I’ve seen death, I can nurture the ability to see and feel those who have left the mortal world but not yet passed into the afterlife. I shift my vision, peering out at the territories of The Veil from where I sit perched on a gnarled branch. From this distance, it appears like a wave of roiling fog.

But it’s not fog.

The restless spirits from the Obsidian Mountain come to cleanse these lands of those who don’t belong. Soon they’ll encounter the Unseelie army, as well as my allies. We must hurry. The creatures of The Veil are gathering to defend their world. I climb faster, shimmying along the branches until I crouch invisibly above a cluster of my enemies.

Eilish shifts on her heels, staring Theren down as though she doesn’t fear his might. I’m proud of her, but I can also scent her need on the wind and I can see the truth of her attraction to Theren in her eyes. I’m not surprised. They have intimate knowledge of one another—I don’t know how or why, but I know it, all the same.

“I don’t accept your offer,” she says.

“Come now, we both know what you need,” he answers with a smile. “Your hair wouldn’t be changing color if my words weren’t true.”

So Theren realizes she’s succubus. Damn fucking Cambion.

“You waste my time, Theren,” she says. “Here, you aren’t king.In a world where death rules, the living are not welcome.”

Ah, yes. Pyre has spoken similar words to me.

Theren doesn’t seem deterred in the slightest by her show of courage. “Yet here you are,” he snickers. “How is it that you and the others are still alive, if that were true?”

“Because we’ve been given sanctuary by the one who rules this world.”

This gives Theren pause. He raises his hand and I see Unseelie soldiers approach the rear entrance of the cottage. Hopefully, Dragan can defend the Midnight Queen and the others. True, I don’t trust Morrigan, but I recognize that she’s valuable, all the same.

Kolvar stands in the window of the upper floor of the cottage, glaring down at the Unseelie army. He’s most likely reliving the horrors of being tortured by the dark fae. Though he’s angry, I trust him to keep his head in the fight and defend Aima and Eilish if necessary.

“My patience withers, young angel. Give me the Midnight Queen and I will allow you to live to see another day. If you continue to show—”

“Theren, please,” Aima cuts in. The soldier beside Theren rears his arm back and lands a thundering slap across Aima’s face. She turns her head slowly and squares her shoulders, resting her hand on her sword with a dare in her eyes.

“You are not permitted to speak to the king!” the man yells at her. “Your insolence is disgraceful! You are a traitor worthy of the punishment of treason.”

“Hold your tongue, Gorondr, unless you wish to find it writhing on the ground after I cut it from your skull,” she says and steps closer to the Unseelie, but Eilish holds out her arm to stay Aima’s advance. Aima hesitates for a moment but then backs down, which is a great show of respect for a warrior of her status.

Interestingly, Theren has yet to look away from Eilish, as if he’s caught in a trance from which he can’t escape. I know that look... it’s the result of her warmth and arousal calling out for a lover. Theren licks his lips and arches a brow.

“You need to feed, little one.”

“Maybe, but not from you,” she retorts.

“Yet, you want me all the same.”

She swallows hard and appears uncomfortable. She clears her throat. “The Unseelie Court is corrupt, Theren. It’s time you realize you’ve been had by whoever is controlling you. Instead of fighting us, you should join us and rise up against whoever that person is.” She takes a deep breath. “Or you may find yourself a casualty of a war that should never have come to be.”

Theren glares at her. “You do not give up easily. I acknowledge your resilience, but you won’t sway me with your seduction or your pretty words. Either we leave here with the Midnight Queen or wetakeeverything.”

Theren’s sneer echoes through the forest, drawing the creatures of The Veil even closer.

***

DRAGAN

The Veil

Footsteps approach. I can feel my wings itching to come out and play, but I dare not destroy Pyre’s home. The stench of Unseelie stings my nose. The race has never bred with another, valuing purity over the longevity of their kind. Only those with royal blood have the tawny complexions of Aima, Cambion, Theren, and a few others. The rest are ashen with large red eyes, dark silken manes, and pointed ears much longer than any other species of elf or fae. They wear circlets of thorn and leather armor adorned with plates of onyx and jade. Their ferocity in battle belies the ethereal beauty of their hawk-like features.

The footsteps grow louder as the door of the rear entrance pushes open. I can only hope Kolvar follows his instructions and doesn’t leave his post until the signal has been given. No matter what he hears, he’s not to come to my aid.

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