Page 196 of Wrath of the Fae

Slam.

Every taunt.

Slam.

Every death he’s caused.

Slam.

Lucca’s wings.

Slam.

My eyes.

Slam.

Image after image assaults my mind, making me insane with wrath.

Slam. Slam. SLAM!

I look down at him. He’s dazed beyond repair. Blood spills from his nose, ears, and mouth as I pant atop him.

‘You don’t get to take him too,’ I hiss. ‘Lucca is my best fucking friend. You don’t get to take him!’

But that fucker laughs before he expels a wave of fire, sending me hurtling across the room.

‘Tell her, Lucca,’ he chokes out, forcing himself up and pointing the iron dart gun back at me. In his other hand, Jonah holds up a device. ‘Tell her, or I will fill her with iron and kill you, Lucca.’

Looking at Lucca, I see he has a collar on. One with a bomb in it. The device in Jonah’s hand will detonate it.

I look between them.

‘T-tell me what?’ I breathe.

‘Just kill me, you fuck!’ Lucca spits hatefully through raging tears and blood dribbling from his lips.

‘Tell her!’ Jonah warns, his words slurring as he cocks his gun.

I can’t be hit with iron. Not now. I have to get to the others. I have to save them.

Tessa still writhes in agony across the room, struggling against the iron coursing through her blood. Her eyes meet mine before glaring hatefully at the bastard that shot her.

‘You will tell her,’ Jonah repeats, reaffirming his aim.

‘Tell me, Lucca.’ I watch that gun closely. I have no time to be down with iron. And Lucca is bleeding out. ‘Lucca! Just tell me-’

‘I let them out,’ he says, sobs tight in his throat. ‘I let Ezra and Jonah out.’

I would double over if I dared move. The punch he just delivered went straight to my gut.

‘Why?’ I ask, my voice a strangled mess. ‘W-why would you do that?’

He lowers his head, still weeping.

‘Lucca!’ I plead angrily.

‘Jonah promised to spare you and me if I set them free and gave them your sister.’ He sniffs and shakes his head. ‘I just wanted to keep you safe from Ivan, Pup. I wanted to keep you with me.’