Page 30 of Wrath of the Fae

I scream.

As I do, a wall of gold dust explodes from my hand and slams into him, throwing him into a wall.

Tessa is hurled away from me by an unseen force, and I throw back my head, feeling the power explode from deep within my chest. I’m stuck, held fast by pain and power as the grooves in the ground glow brighter and brighter, illuminating the entire room. My wings stretch out, and I feel the power, even in those.

‘She’s alive…’ I hear Ezra gasp, fear rippling through every word. ‘Impossible. Impossible!’

I force myself to look at him. Despite the pain. Despite the power keeping me captive.

‘I am going to take my time killing you,’ I promise. ‘The Thirteenth Kingdom is mine. And I am coming for the rest.’

Ezra staggers back as I continue to glow brighter and brighter. When the ground rocks, he turns and flies for the hole above, running like the coward he is. Others try to follow, but our people cut them down before they can get too far. I hate watching Ezra escape. I hate it!

I look at my hand and go cold.

I’m fading…

Fading again into dust and nothing. Torn apart. Scattered and lost.

‘No. No-no-no-no-no! LUCCA!’ I scream. ‘LUCCA, PLEASE!’

He stops before me, panting and bleeding as he looks at my hand.

‘You’re fading… Pup!’

‘Kill me,’ I plead. ‘KILL ME!’

He just stands there and watches as more of me fades, too stunned to get his thoughts in order.

‘Don’t.’ I sob and shake my head, tears streaming down my face. ‘Don’t let this happen again. Lucca… Please-’ I scream as I try to pull my hand free. ‘I CAN’T GO BACK IN THERE!’

As he finally lunges to help me, my back arches and my head is thrown back.

A shield of gold propels from me and spreads out, slamming into the soldiers who fight us. As it passes through, it leaves behind a mist of red. Pulverised blood and bone float in the air before gracefully drifting to the floor.

As the shield spreads, I go with it.

I leave my body.

The hidden room beneath the cellar. Lucca, Wolf and Tessa. I leave it all behind and soar weightlessly, travelling through the manor in all directions. Through the walls and doors. Through rooms and halls and chambers.

And far beyond.

Every soldier I see turns to face this wall of magic as it propels through the manor and then into the city. They wince, preparing for impact.

Nothing is left behind but that faint red cloud.

Some with wings fly upwards and escape the glimmering death shield. Some try to flee but can’t move fast enough or are held down by our people. The innocent remain unharmed. Those Fae who stood with us. Who hid us. Who fought with us or protected us. I see them all and don’t want them to be hurt.

So they aren’t.

I am the golden shield. It’s alive with me. Any in First Kingdom uniforms die swiftly and without mercy, leaving them to float to the ground as nothing.

I think I’ll travel on forever. That I’ll cover the entire realm, my life spent ending my enemies. And I think I’m okay with that. This isn’t what it was like in Ivan’s archway. This is peaceful. Powerful. I feel no pain. But when I reach the city's edge, I stop suddenly, looking out at the endless realm before me. At mountains and forests. Lakes and rivers.

Then that dark voice sings to me.

Welcome home, child.

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