Page 65 of Wrath of the Fae

Seeing as you were pulled here. Must have been for a reason. Fates and all that.

This can’t be a coincidence. First Reid. Now him?

I was pulled here. Lured here.

Was it for him?

A low and lethal warning sound emanates from his chest. I watch as he lowers himself to pick up his sword left by his feet. I can’t see the metal through the thick coating of First Kingdom blood, and his grip slips on the drenched handle.

‘Cyrus…’ I repeat. Like that’s the only fucking thing I can say. ‘Cy-’

‘Big mistake,’ he says. His voice is dry and cold. He spits blood on the floor and points the blade of his sword in my direction. ‘Big fucking mistake.’

‘W-what?’

He rushes forwards, wielding his weapon as he keeps me entirely in his sights. He brings down the steel of his sword, and I barely manage to throw myself out of the way. He strikes the stone instead. As he rights himself, I scramble away and push myself to my feet, staggering as I try to get straight. I face him and cling to my dagger, watching his every move. He storms towards me and readies for his attack.

My dagger won’t stand a chance. I grab my sword and block as he brings it down. My arm feels like it’s been shattered by the force of his blow, but I manage to keep hold of my sword and protect myself from three more blows before it clatters to the floor.

His left hand reaches out and wraps around my throat, pushing me until my back hits the wall. He lifts me, and I kick out as he chokes me.

‘Big fucking mistake, arsehole,’ he snarls in my face. ‘You chose the wrong fucking face. I’ll make you suffer for wearing her face.’ He slams me into the wall, knocking my already likely concussed head. ‘You think I’ll show you mercy because you look like her?’

Slam.

‘You think I won’t tear you to pieces because you look like her?’

Slam.

‘Where did you get that power, huh? Did the King send you after me? Did Ivan? WHO SENT YOU?!’

His grip tightens and my vision is starting to darken.

‘You think I’ll let you live so you can run off and tell that evil fucker what I did? You’ll tell no one a damned thing, and I will keep tearing down every portal you bastards try to restart. I’m sending everyone who hurt her to the beyond. She will claim her vengeance in the afterlife.’Slam!His next words are choked with angry sobs. ‘YOU DON’T GET TO USE HER MAGIC LIKE THIS!’

I kick him in the dick as hard as I can, and he lets me go with a shout. As he groans with fury, I stagger away, coughing and gasping for some air.

‘Cy…Cyr…’ I can’t speak! I can hardly breathe, and my head is fuzzy from being hit.

I run as he gives chase and scoop up the sword I dropped. I spin on my heel and catch his blade before it meets my back.

I’m astounded as I manage to fend him off. He’s so raw and raging.

His fist slams into my face, and I fall on my arse, blood splattering over my face and spilling into my mouth.

He’s broken my nose.

Cyrus raises his sword and looks down at me with undiluted hatred.

‘You will pay for wearing her face,’ he repeats.

He brings down the sword. He means to kill me.

I scrunch my eyes closed, preparing for impact.

‘Moonlight…’ I gasp, the word popping into my mind. The only word that I can think of to make him stop.

Our safe word. The one only we know.

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