Page 42 of Claimed By the Fae Lord

My heart clenched, disgust coursing through my veins like poison. Saxon's expression mirrored my own, his normally calm demeanor replaced by one of barely contained rage.

"Over there," he whispered, pointing towards a small group in the center of the room.

My breath caught in my throat as I spotted Raina, her pale hair a beacon amidst the chaos. She stood unrestrained, flanked by two fae and another male who definitely wielded magic but wasn't fae.

"Why isn't she trying to escape?" I murmured.

Slight discolorations mottled the side of her face and neck, and trailed down her arms. There was surely more damage hidden under her clothing.

I could feel the familiar weight of my sword at my side, itching to be drawn and put to use.

"Look at the mage," Saxon said, drawing my attention back to the group.

I watched as the sweaty man with purplish coloring wiped his brow, only to see Raina mirror the movement. It was then that I realized she was under some sort of spell, forced into compliance by the mage's will.

Saxon and I exchanged a disturbed glance.

"Ready?" Saxon asked, his voice barely audible over the cacophony of the crowd.

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest as I gripped the hilt of my sword. We were about to make our move when a brutish employee of the auction house spotted us, his bloodshot eyes narrowing as he took in our weapons.

"Oi! No weapons allowed in 'ere!" he barked.

"We’re here for someone and we are not leaving without her," I replied steadily, not hinting at my secondary plan to wipe this city out of existence in the near future.

His meaty fingers wrapped around a large ax secured to his back.

I shook my head in warning. "Stand down, and you won't get hurt."

"Is that a threat?" he sneered, hefting the ax menacingly. "I don't take kindly to threats."

My blood boiled at his defiance, but I knew I couldn't afford to waste time arguing. Our cover had been blown, and every second we spent engaged with this oaf was another second Raina was in danger.

"Have it your way," I replied, charging forward, sword slicing through the air.

The brute let out a surprised grunt as I clashed with him, steel biting into flesh. I kept one eye on Raina's location, making sure she was still safe, while also maintaining awareness of Saxon and Fermac, who was shielding his presence.

I didn’t worry much about the warhound. He had talents beyond mine and his masters.

"Damn it, Liam," Saxon muttered as he swiftly moved to flank the brute, his sword at the ready.

"Fermac, get to her now!" Saxon shouted as he darted into the fray.

The crowd was turning on us, but his agile movements allowed him to dodge incoming blows with ease. He struck with deadly precision, his blade finding its mark in a heartbeat.

Fae in the uniform of the auction house poured into the room, armed and yelling at patrons to exit. Three made their way to me quickly and I found myself outnumbered.

In between blows, I caught sight of the massive warhound, making his way across the room, headed straight for the mage controlling Raina. His champagne eyes glittered with fury, turning red as he tore into anyone who dared to block his path.

"Keep them off me, Liam!" Saxon yelled, drawing my attention back to our own fight.

I nodded, focusing on fending off another wave of attackers. I could hear Fermac's growls resonate through the cacophony and I was infinitely thankful he was with us.

"Almost there," Saxon encouraged, his voice strained.

I risked a glance at Raina, her violet eyes wide with confusion as she watched the chaos unfold around her.

"Raina, hold on!" I shouted, hoping she could hear me above the din of battle.

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