Page 193 of Wrath of the Fae

‘I… I don’t know…’

I turn away from her and haphazardly run to the manor.

‘Where are you going?’ she demands, following close behind. ‘Raven!’

‘We have to go after them. I need Wolf! I need Lucca!’

I need Reid or Cyrus’s blood.

My powers are silent. The smoke, perhaps? Or the defeat and loss? I can’t get my wings to do anything, and if I go after them like this alone, I’ll never get past the drones. I won’t even reach the drones!

In the sky, my creatures circle the kingdom, protecting us against any more machines.

Below, they stalk the streets, sniffing the bleeding and dead.

It takes a lot of energy to keep them under control and force them to return to the woods.

Tripping over the dead and slipping in endless puddles of blood, I stumble through the doors that hang from their hinges.

In the hall, I stop and let out a slight whimper.

Wolf’s eyes flutter as they see me.

‘Fates be merciful,’ he manages. ‘You are alive. You are here.’ He smiles and reaches out for me as he lies on the floor. As I approach, he takes my hand in his. ‘I-is it bad?’ he groans.

I look to my right, where his lower half lies far from his torso. His insides litter the floor. Intestines trail between them, and his guts have been trodden on and flattened in the battle.

Wolf…

‘M-My Queen…’ He reaches out for me. ‘M-My Queen…’

‘I’m here,’ I tell him. ‘You’ll be okay,’ I lie.

I spread my wing over his lower half so he can’t see, and I hold him, looking into his eyes and offering a soft a smile as I can manage.

‘The shield… an explosion in the cellar destroyed the shield…’

‘I know. Ezra and Jonah did it. I know, Wolf.’

He smiles as if relieved, looking up at me with such devotion.

With love.

‘Raven,’ he says. ‘There you are. I’ve been… looking everywhere for…’ He blinks. ‘Your mother would be so proud of you. I am so proud of you.’ He blinks. ‘Don’t let him win.’

‘I won’t,’ I reply, not wanting to admit that Ivan may have already won. ‘Hush now, my friend. Everything’s fine.’

He looks at my arms. At the hairs that stand on end, and smiles.

‘Liar.’ He kisses my knuckles and holds our hands close to his chest. I feel the weak beat of his once fierce heart. ‘I’ll see you in the next world, my Queen.’

‘Don’t leave me,’ I whisper, clinging to him.

‘I’m afraid, just this once, I have to disobey.’

His smile fades.

‘Lucca…’

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