Page 36 of Claimed By the Fae Lord

Fermac growled.

"Yeah, yeah, you're not a dog. We know you're a big bad beastie," she rolled her eyes, "so why don't you let go of your bone?"

"Seems like Fermac has become territorial of his ... bone," Saxon remarked dryly. "Or you've insulted him and he's waiting for an apology."

The giant canine canted his head, one ear flopping down, one up. It almost made him look like a puppy.

"I think he's a little sensitive," I muttered, my own lips curving into a reluctant smile.

"Cooperate, please," Saxon said to his hound. "We need to extract information from him. He might know where Raina is."

Fermac immediately tilted and the captive rolled onto the floor. His short fur, the patches of white, black, and blue-grey, now had stains of crusted blood.

I removed the gag and the prisoner spit at me. Jerking, the sputum landed on the side of my head instead of my eye.

As I wiped it on my arm, Fermac rumbled angrily, lowering his muzzle to the male's crotch and baring his teeth. I may not have cared for Saxon, but his canine companion was growing on me.

Mirrelle cackled, sauntering up and standing at the asshole's shoulder. "If I were you I'd cooperate before those choppers remove your balls."

"Aeryn?" I inquired.

"Of course," she answered, pale green eyes glowing with power as she approached the belligerent captive. "I'll do whatever it takes to find her."

Astrid stayed close to Aeryn, pointing her sword at the male's throat. "You move, you die."

Instead of fighting, he let his eyelids fall and relaxed his head on the floor in defeat. There was nothing he could do and he knew it.

We watched as Aeryn knelt and placed her hands on the male's head. As she delved into his thoughts and memories, a sudden tension filled the air, thick and palpable.

Just then, Nox entered the room, his grey eyes narrowed in concern. "What's going on?" he demanded, surveying the situation.

"Trying to get some answers," I replied quickly, feeling the pressure of time bearing down on us.

Nox nodded, his gaze locked on Aeryn as she continued her mental examination. The room was silent, save for the occasional whimper from the captive.

Find something, I willed, my heart pounding in my chest.Find anything.

Aeryn's face contorted with concentration, her brow furrowed as she delved deeper into the captive's mind. I clenched my fists at my sides, my nerves frayed as I watched her work.

Beside me, Saxon stood with his arms crossed, his eyes flicking between Aeryn and the male on the ground.

"Got it," Aeryn finally said, her voice strained. "They're taking her to Dusthaven. That's ... that's where they plan tosellher."

A cold sweat broke out across my skin. Dusthaven was a mecca for those trafficking in skin and sin.

Portaling directly into the city was impossible due to the magical barriers surrounding the territory of Antara. It would take precious time to travel there on foot or horseback.

"Did you get anything else, Aeryn?" Astrid inquired.

"The Vendeca were hired help only. Raina's parents and several others, whose names and faces he doesn't know, had a contract with someone to sell Raina. It was a fae bargain, so it has to be fulfilled. It's why they paid so much for the help. It doesn't make any sense, though. What’s the point?"

Nox and I exchanged a worried glance as he pulled his mate into his arms. "They were trying to divide us. They still are but,specific to Raina, the fuckers don’t have a choice. They’ll be compelled to keep trying until it is done."

Fuck. I was head of security, the one responsible for guarding the king and the royal family. "Nox–"

"Go," he ordered. "Lorne is awake. He can help me figure out how to keep us safe and dig around for more intel. Go to the armory, take what you need. Take soldiers with you, too."

Saxon shook his head. "We'll be able to move faster on our own and draw less attention if it's just us. I know the fastest route there. We'll be fine."

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