Page 97 of Twisted Fate

I slide one into each of my boots and another one at the back of my leggings. I hold the last one in my hand for a moment and slide it up my shirt, securing it between my breasts. I hope my bra will keep it in place until I need to use it. I pull on my jacket, check the time on my phone before tossing it onto my bed, and walk out of my room.

When I woke up this morning, I knew where Jules was. Maybe he wanted me to know where he is. Maybe he screwed with my head more than I can remember. The smart thing to do would be to call Tristan and tell him where Jules is, but I need to do this for myself. This whole thing—the fae war—isn’t about me, but the moment Jules messed with my life, my feelings, it became about me on some level. He made it personal when he decided to manipulate me and feed on my emotions, and now he’s going to answer for what he did.

Campus is quiet as I walk across it to where Jules is—in the basement of his pub. I’m not surprised to find the door unlocked even though it isn’t open yet. My heart hammers in my chest as I step inside. The place is empty, televisions off, and chairs on tables. My shoes feel like they weigh a thousand pounds each as I walk across the old wood floor toward the basement stairs. I hesitate before reaching for the door handle, my mind racing through the ways this scenario could end. I push them away, knowing it’s too late to think about that now.

My eyes do a quick scan of the space. It appears to be a simple basement storage area that’s been partially converted into a hangout space. Boxes cover half of the room, while the other half has been decorated with an antique-looking rug to cover the concrete, some old couches, and a coffee table, along with a couple of rolling chairs.

Maybe I was wrong. Maybe he isn’t here.

“I have to say, I didn’t think you’d come alone,” Jules says, walking out of another room at a relaxed pace. He looks at ease, no creases in his forehead, no sharp, calculating expression.

My jaw clenches at his cliché line. “No one else could be bothered to deal with your pathetic ass,” I say, my tone laced with sarcasm.

He tilts his head to the side, his eyes wandering over my face. “I’m surprised you came at all, especially after Evan took you back to Tristan. It’s a shame I had to kill him for helping you. He didn’t know what loyalty was.”

My eyes widen, and the sting of tears surprises me. I was never crazy about Evan, but he helped me get away from Jules, and I’m grateful for that. He didn’t deserve to die. “What doyouknow about loyalty?”

He smirks, ignoring my remark. “Why are you here?”

I bark out a laugh. “I need to spell it out for you?”

He prowls closer, stopping a foot away, making my back stiffen. “I want to hear you say it,” he says.

I swallow. “You used me.”

“It was never about you, Aurora, not really.”

I shake my head. “The light and dark fae can coexist. You and Tristan can leadtogether.”

“You don’t get it.” He swipes his hand through his hair. “I won’t leadwithsomeone. I want the fae race to grow, become more powerful, and to do so, they need a leader that’ll do anything to make that happen. They needme.”

“You’re insane if you think Tristan’s people would follow you if you kill him. They’ll destroy you for it and make all of your people watch.”

It’s silent for several moments, and then he sighs. The soft sound makes my blood run cold. He slams me into the wall. I cry out, seeing stars.

He shoves his hand up my sweater and rips the iron stake out, growling as it burns his skin, and tosses it across the room. It clatters against the cement floor. I wince, trying to break free of his grasp. “It’s a shame,” he says, tightening his grip on me. “This could’ve gone a different way, Aurora.”

“I doubt that,” I say through my teeth, shoving him hard.

He backs up a couple of steps, a dark smirk plastered on his lips. “So, you came here to kill me?” he lifts his arms out, palms up. “Have at it,” he taunts, letting his arms fall back to his sides.

I bend and pull the iron stake out of my left boot, holding it in a tight grip.

Jules laughs, flicking his gaze from my face to the weapon in my hand. “Did you stop at the hardware store on your way here?”

I step forward, swiping the air in front of him so he’ll move back a few more strides. I circle around him and kick out with my right leg, but he catches it, pulling the other iron stake out of my boot.Fuck.

He pushes me back, and I almost lose my balance, managing to catch my footing at the last second.

“I’m curious, Aurora. Do you believe you can win this fight?”

“I have to,” I growl. “I will.”

Jules charges forward, throwing me to the ground and holding me there. “I’m almost sorry,” he murmurs, trailing his fingers along my jaw. “You might be my one regret.”

I choke on the lump in my throat and try to push him off. I knee him in the stomach over and over, but it doesn’t faze him.

The pity in his eyes makes me want to hurl, and then he slams me against the cement floor again, making me suck in a sharp breath.

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