Page 137 of Wrath of the Fae

I see something through the endless darkness. Through the nothing.

That stone arch I saw. It’s here. But I don’t see the stone or metal. I see gold and black. I see the light and dark groaning as it swarms together. I feel it. Not humming. No. Screaming. Like nails on a chalkboard. Whatever he’s done to it… it’s hurting it.

‘I have all day, dear daughter. Not sure you do, though. Or your Mates.’ Ivan laughs. ‘I know you can’t see, but their noses are bleeding. The vessels in their eyes have popped. I expect it was a rough ride over. You're strong, Raven. But not strong enough. Just get it over with and-’

I roar like a beast from hell and slam my fist into the arch. Everything shakes, and the light flickers as the power coursing through it is temporarily disrupted. As soon as it splinters, it starts to mend. Just as the arch did in the old palace.

I slam my fist into it again and again. The cracks widen, and more splinters dance up the stone until, finally… the twisted screams of the power go silent.

The arch is dead. Maybe for only a few seconds, but that’s all I need.

‘NO!’ Ivan screams.

‘RAVEN!’ Cyrus yells. ‘DOWN!’

I crouch and throw my hands over my head as chaos erupts. Vines, claws, and hands trying to get through Cyrus and Reid, who protect me. I feel their power smothering me. Their light and smoke attack everything that gets too close. A furious wind howls around as they fight for me.

I reach out blindly. Cyrus’s hand slides into mine, and I’m pulled in close.

I scream for Reid. I won’t leave without him.

‘REID’ I cry, ‘REID, WHERE ARE-’

Reid lets out an agonising cry of pain. I smell something. A scent so delicious and insatiable, it’s all I want. One taste, that’s all I need. Just one. A low growl rumbles from my chest, and when Reid falls at my side, his hand gripping my arm as he orders I make a portal, I give in to the need for it. I let these dark desires and instincts take hold. Before I can understand it, my teeth are in his flesh.

He roars in pain as the chaos still rages around us and slams my hand hard into the floor.

‘What the hell are you doing!’ Cyrus yells, trying to pull me off him.

‘It doesn’t matter!’ Reid shouts, wrapping his arm around me as I attack and securing me safely to his chest. I moan in pleasure, tasting his blood in my mouth, and sink into him. ‘We have to get out of here.’

I reach out my hand and press it flat against the floor. It cracks, and through my darkness, I see runes glow around us, forming a circle.

Just like it did before when Tessa and I were trapped.

I create a portal, and we all fall through, leaving Ivan’s demonic roar behind.

twenty-six

Windhowlsthroughmyears, deafening and whipping around me as painfully cold rain and hail slam into my body. Thunder rumbles, and lightning cracks.

I’m falling.

My body is limp and unresponsive, and I’m lost in this strange sense of euphoria. I even have a smile on my lips. The pain is gone. The bone poking through my wrist is a tingle. The burns in my eyes a slight vibration. I fall happily.

Calmly.

I made a portal. I have no idea how or where to. I have no idea if Reid and Cyrus fell with me.

Reid… Oh, Goddess… Did I bite him? What… what the fuck have I done?

Are they falling too?

My wings won’t come. My powers are lost to me, sleeping somewhere deep inside.

‘Reid?’ I whisper. It’s all I can manage. ‘Cyrus?’

I fall and fall. So fast and far, I know I’ll be killed instantly when I land.

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