Page 29 of Claimed By the Fae Lord

He swung at me, a desperate, clumsy attempt that I sidestepped easily. My return was swift, knuckles cracking against bone. He folded, and I was on to another before he hit the floor.

My attacks became more focused, a deadly ballet of rage and purpose. Each blow I delivered was precise. I fought through the onslaught without feeling pain.

And then, it was done. The last Vendeca lay at my feet, unconscious or too broken to continue.

I stood alone amidst the wreckage, the silence ringing louder than any scream. My breaths came in ragged gasps, my hands stained with the evidence of my resolve.

I hadn't gotten a gods damned thing from them. I closed my eyes for a moment, allowing myself the luxury of breathing deeply.

When I opened my eyes again, I noticed one of the males sitting up, clutching his broken arm to his chest. Sheathing the dagger, I pulled my sword and pointed it over his heart.

"Alright! Alright!" The words burst forth from his bloody lips.

He caved beneath my unrelenting stare, the dam of his resolve crumbling away. "Her parents ... they struck a deal with someone. We were hired to help retrieve her so the terms of the deal were fulfilled."

"Her parents were killed weeks ago."

He swallowed. "I know. They arranged it before they went to Thornewood."

I'd already loathed Raina's mother and father, but if I could bring them back and kill them again, I would. "What were the terms?"

"I don't know exactly." He shifted, wincing.

"Then what do you know? And don't leave anything out or I'll break your legs, as well."

His tongue touched the split in his lip and for a second I was sure I'd need to do exactly as I'd threatened.

"They sold her. Or were in the middle of selling her. I'm not clear on it, only overhead some things I wasn't meant to. Whomever was supposed to follow through with it is, of course, bound by magic to complete the bargain. But that's all I know, I swear!"

The confession hit me like a gut punch, a sickening wave of revulsion rising up as the image of Raina flickered across my mind. To be sold by those meant to protect her. It was a betrayal of the worst kind.

"Sold," I repeated, the word bitter on my tongue.

I lowered my sword, disgust twisting my features as I let the information settle like lead in my core. But there was no time for the tumultuous sea of emotions crashing over my head.

"Congratulations, you get to live," I said, the sarcasm dripping from each word like acid.

"But if you ever lift a hand against anyone under the direct protection of King Nox again, your brotherhood will be eliminated, completely."

I stomped on his femur hard enough for a clean break. He was lucky I hadn't sawed off his head.

Turning away from the whimpering heap, my heart hardened with every step I took towards the exit. I was going after that insufferable frost fae.

I needed closure and she was going to fucking give it to me, even if it killed us both.

Liam Duersi

Six

Raina

My limbs were heavy, leaden with fatigue, as I dragged my feet across the shifting sands. Each grain scraped against my worn boots like a thousand tiny teeth gnawing at the soles.

We'd made it through the mountain pass. According to Vance, we were making good time. I'd need to do something about that, if only my body and my magic could cooperate.

The desert was unforgiving. Yet I trudged on, one wearisome step at a time.

It was absurd, really, how a frost nymph accustomed to the chill of winter found herself wilting under the scorching sun. But here I was, Raina Brandenburg, one-time wannabe socialite and sole heir of Snowfall Manor.

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