Page 4 of House of the Raven
I gasp, even as I try to hold back my surprise. River is the leader of the veilfallen. He is ruthless and has killed more innocent people than I dare count. I can’t let him escape. Capturing him would be a huge blow to the veilfallen.
I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to stop him. If I have to—
He pushes my rapier out of the way once more. Though, this time that’s not all he does. Moving faster than I can track, he steps forward, grabs my wrist, and squeezes it with viselike strength. The sword falls from my hand and clatters to the floor. Shifting to stand behind me, he twists my arm and wraps his other arm around my neck. I end up with my back flush against his hard torso as he walks backward, pulling me along.
My feet drag as I fight. “Let me go, bastardo.”
I kick my legs desperately.
We move past the counter, and I see Nina and her father crouching there. She gives me a little wave.
Going limp, I become dead weight. Undeterred, River drags me down a long hall toward what I presume is a back exit.
“Slice her throat and be done with it,” the female with the violet eyes says. “We do not need a hostage. We need to get out of here.”
“Slicing Princess Plumanegra’s throat would be unwise when we can use her as leverage,” River responds.
What? He knows who I am, too? Dammit!
I suddenly hear my father’s words echoing in my ears:One of these days, someone will kidnap you for ransom.
I always thought he was exaggerating, always thought I was too clever to get caught. Now, my ass is in the hands of the most feared criminal in all of Castella. Figuratively… the ass part, not the most feared part.
“Princess Plumanegra?” the female repeats, incredulous. “The future queen?”
“No. Not that one. The other one.”
She leans down to look at me better. With a growl, I try to kick her but miss.
The other veilfallen, the one that hasn’t said a word, throws a door open, and we spill into a narrow alley. He motions with one hand, urging them to hurry.
“That’s not her,” the female declares.
Whenever I sneak out of the palace, I hide my most recognizable characteristic, a streak of white hair that sprouts from the top of my forehead. A bit of a paste made from ground walnut hulls to match my natural golden brown color, and it’s gone for a few days. Maybe Iamclever enough, after all.
“That’s right, you idiot. I’m not a princess,” I bite the words out.
Within the blink of an eye, River whirls me around, pushes me against the wall, and grabs a section of my hair between his thumb and forefinger. He slides his grip along the strand, then shows his cohorts his stained fingertips.
Damn!I always thought I could blend in. I look just like any other Castellan woman: brown hair, brown eyes, olive skin. What gave meaway? I bet it’s that damn portrait they hung at the Biblioteca de la Reina. I told Father it was a bad idea, but he never listens to me.
“Help!” I scream.
He squeezes my throat, and my voice dies out.
“Will you look at that?” the female smiles with satisfaction. A lock of blond hair peaks from under her cowl.
I do my best to memorize her eyes, her height, and her build. I do the same with the others.
“Knock her out and throw her over your shoulder,” she says.
River pulls his fist back, ready to do just that, but I’m not going down without a fight. If they take me, I may never see my father and sister again.
Using all my strength, I stomp on River’s toes with the heel of my boot. Any normal human being would curse and holler, but not a damn fae. Still, his grip around my throat loosens just enough, and I’m able to reach down for the dagger sheathed at my thigh.
I don’t hesitate. Instead, I let my instincts take over and cut at his wrist. When he pulls back, surprised, I drop to one knee and go for his leg. He jumps back as I try to stab him. Instead, my weapon slices as it travels downward, tearing through his trousers and opening a long gash.
He barely lets out a grunt. Anger flashing in his eyes, he tries to grab me again, but I slash my dagger from side to side, keeping him at bay as I back away.
