Page 131 of Crown of Briars
A howl pierced the night air, and heavy, thundering footfalls approached. Warwick’s head whipped up, his eyes flashing. Shadows spilled through the forest, blotting out the moonlight and drowning us in darkness.
But I was not afraid.
My husband had arrived.
Rage fueled my movements,my wings stretching wide as I glided across the training yard. I sensed Tislora flying somewhere behind me, but I didn’t bother to look.
All I knew was the unchecked fury that coursed through me. Shadows swirled around me, floating in the air like bats following their master.
I soared over the treetops, following the scent of blood. Both fae and human.
Warwick had hurt her. And I would destroy him for it.
When I landed hard, the ringing sound burrowed into my skull. I cried out, shaking my head, when Tislora grabbed my arm.
“I’ll stop it!” she said, her voice rising over the sound. “You go!”
I nodded once, taking off toward the smell of blood. The shrill sound of the forest’s magic continued to assault me, hammering against my skull and piercing my brain. Mother of Shade, it was unbearable.
Then, it stopped. Tislora’s handiwork, no doubt.
Vowing to thank her for it later, I quickened my pace, not bothering for stealth. It was far too late for that. My wings were still outstretched, lifting me in the air as I leapt off the occasional tree stump for a burst of speed.
Iheard Sybelle’s scream. I had never heard her sound like that—terrified and angry. Helpless.
Black shadows spilled forth, engulfing the forest. A feral sound escaped me, a cross between a roar and a howl.
Their scent was almost upon me. I lurched upward, my wings carrying me, until I caught sight of two figures grappling on the ground. Warwick was on top of Sybelle, pinning her body to the forest floor.
A roar of fury burst from me as I slammed into Warwick. He shouted in surprise. My hands wrapped around his throat, my claws digging through flesh. His elbow caught my jaw, and he managed to kick me in the shin. But still I pressed, ready to remove his head entirely.
A streak of blue shot past me, and my head whipped up. Was someone else here with Warwick?
But when I looked around, nothing was there.
The distraction cost me. Something sharp pierced my side, and I hissed as hot blood gushed. Warwick had stabbed me. His hips jerked, and we rolled, but I never released his throat. He would lose consciousness soon, and then he would stop fighting.
Then, this would end.
“Varius!” Sybelle shrieked.
I managed to block Warwick just before he drove his dagger into my side again. But now, with only one hand on his throat, he was able to maneuver out of my grasp.
He rolled again, but I followed, baring my teeth.
Warwick had the gall to grin at me. “You’ll find I’m quite difficult to kill,” he said, his voice hoarse. “Just ask your assassin.”
I tilted my head at him, nostrils flaring. My shadows spilled along the forest floor, creeping toward him. If I could keep him talking, then my shadows could sneak up on him.
Once I blinded him with my darkness, he would be mine.
“How did you do it?” I asked. “How did you kill him?” Tavish had been one of my strongest and most agile soldiers. No one had bested him in combat before.
Warwick’s grin turned feral. “See if you can guess.”
My eyes roved over his figure once more, taking in the wounds still bleeding freely, likely from Sybelle’s dagger. A quick inhale told me there was even more blood that I couldn’t see.
He was wounded. So wounded, in fact, that he should have lost consciousness by now.
