Page 23 of A Dagger of Ice and Intrigue
No matter how hard I pressed, my magic slid off her like water over stubborn steel.
Her spine stood straighter than my own daggers’ blades.
Her protective spell held true, the fiery essence of it stubborn, even as her scowl promised me violent revenge for even daring to send my powers her way. And whatever spell she’d used on herself had been extended to the rest of the Vegheara brats and Alaric, leaving a trace of her essence on them. Unreachable, the whole lot of them. Her spell was quickly sweeping over the rest of the Protectorate members, but the invisible mark was becoming fainter.
Not even the famed Huntress could protect them all–especially since her blue tendrils seemed to be sparking uncontrollably, not attacking viciously.
But she was dangerous.
Perhaps the most dangerous Protectorate member on this island.
Wild raven hair.
Stormy green eyes.
A look that could–and would, given the opportunity–kill.
I knew who she was.
The Protectorate’s First Daughter.
The Huntress.
From the wild rumors I’d heard about her, I thought she’d be taller.
I thought she’d burn hotter.
But maybe that was just the frost in my hands.
The distraction cost me.
I felt the first tendrils of fatigue setting into my blood as my powers retreated, even as my eyes remained on her.
She’d come prepared.
Unfortunately for her and her Clan, the Blood Brotherhood had as well.
“Done,” I said as I lowered my arm and unfisted my palm. I’d been so focused on cracking whatever charms The Huntress had used, I hadn’t even noticed the tension in my own body.
Zandyr gave me the briefest nod, unseen by anyone other than myself–and Elysia, judging by the way she shimmied her shoulders and reached for her small daggers.
“Such a darling little wedding.” Zandyr stepped forward, now fully in his threatening Dragon demeanor.
Better to cower them through fear than weapons.
Nobody wanted a Clan war or the Clan Council to intervene.
I reached for my own daggers, the blood and stones embedded in them reminding me why I was here.
This mission needed to be clean and efficient.
Crash the wedding that threatened the Clan contract.
Kill Fabrian in a way that didn’t arouse suspicion.
Hopefully leave without the Vegheara brat bride trailing after us.
Unequivocal proof that the Blood Brotherhood did not stand idly by while its name and reputation were threatened, even by breaking a measly arranged marriage contract.
