Page 131 of Wrath of the Fae

There’s a loud bang as something explodes over by the palace, sending flames and debris into the sky.

I stretch out my wings and push off when another arrow lands in my arm. I pull it free, turning to see the one responsible.

He walks steadily towards me.

Jonah…

His left eye has a decorative patch of white and gold covering red raw flesh. His other eye narrows on me as he tosses the bow and arrow to the floor, letting the blue fire spring to life in his hands.

‘Obedient lot, your kind. I say fetch, and they bring me my whore.’

‘All he brought was your death,’ I laugh.

I get to my feet and dodge as he attacks before sweeping my hand through the air and forcing him back. I stagger away, watching him return to his feet, hell-bent on revenge.

I stand and ready myself.

Jonah continues storming closer, consumed with rage. He sees me. That’s all. Nothing and no one matters. It never did.

He smirks, his eyes glancing behind me. I turn to see a soldier with an iron chain in heavily gloved hands, ready to throw it over me. I snatch it from him, to hell with the pain, and twist it around his neck. He falls, screaming and clawing at it.

LUCCA!

I turn back to Jonah, who slams his fist into my face. He quickly grabs my wrist and twists it even more, breaking the already broken bone. I see spots as I scream and fall to my knees. My bone is protruding through my skin, and he bellows with joy, seeing my insides poking through.

‘You think you have won?’ he laughs, the rain falling over his murderous features. ‘You’ll never win. Neither will they. I will return you to the portal, and I want you to know that I will keep your sister as my pet. All I have done to you will pale compared to what I will do to her.’

There’s a distant demonic roar from Lucca and a chorus of screams. Jonah looks towards the palace. The winged soldiers are leaving, carrying others as they flee.

Then there’s a cheer. A victory cry.

Jonah’s face falls.

‘The First Kingdom is ours,’ I tell him, ensuring I smile from ear to ear. ‘And soon, everyone will know you are not the Fae King you pretend to be. They will know you are human scum, even by human scum standards. The lowest of the low. The shit on their shoe. The impotent prick.’

He slams my head into the ground, but I still laugh, even as my head spins.

‘Lucca knows who you are. Even Ezra knows and has turned against you. There’s nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. You’re done. And Ivan is next.’

He smiles that sadistic smile I know so well.

‘Then I guess I better put you back where you belong and go home.’ He wraps his hand around my throat and squeezes. ‘Make a portal, Raven.’

I laugh beneath his grip.

I get my skull pounded into the ground again and my eyes roll into the back of my head.

Lucca…

‘Make a portal,’ he growls, resting his hands on either side of my head.

‘Fuck off… and die…’ I groan back.

His thumbs slide down and rest over my eyes.

‘After you. Consider this payback, my little whore.’

I scream as his fire springs to life on his thumbs, fierce and unforgiving.

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