Chest constricting, Lykor’s thoughts fled back to his own helplessness in the king’s prison—defenseless to Galaeryn’s every depraved, torturous whim. He lowered his claw, fingers slowly curling into a fist, pinioning the reactive flash of fury. Like a window slamming against howling wind, his reflexive rage abated. Ribs surrendering his lungs, there was enough space to breathe again.
On second thought… Lykor shoved her.
Shrieking, the elf lost her footing, reeling backward. She landed with a splash before jumping up, spluttering and swearing.
“Why are you being so stubborn about this?” she spat, wiping water out of her eyes.
Ignoring her, Lykor gestured curtly, a master calling a hound. “Get out so we can leave.”
She pointed an accusatory finger at him. “You’re the one who pushed me in!”
Lykor’s eyes pinned on the water suddenly rippling like a flood of raindrops collided with the surface. The elf glanced at him and then at the roiling stream, obviously considering retaliation.
A torrent of violent words wrestled up Lykor’s throat. He bared his fangs. “Don’t you fucking dare.”
Aesar blew an amused snort out of his nose, towing Lykor’s attention inward. He lounged on a reading couch, throwing Lykor a satisfied smirk. She’s probably only using that power because you’re pissing her off.
The girl lifted her chin. With a whoosh, the channel reared up in a wave behind her. Poised and waiting.
Despite Lykor’s mild curiosity to discover how else she could manipulate the water, he pivoted on his heel.
I wouldn’t turn—
Before he could make it two paces, water crashed into him, the deluge smashing him like an ocean’s swell. Lykor ripped Essence from his Well. I’M GOING TO KILL HER.
Aesar had the nerve to wag a finger as rending billowed around him in the library—under his control. Lykor snarled at him and then rounded on the girl.
You know, I think we’d both be able to channel our magic simultaneously if you loosened your grip and didn’t oppose me so much.
AND WHY THE FUCK WOULD I WANT TO DO THAT?
Aesar shrugged. He smugly coiled the shadows across his fingertips, effectively locking that part of their Well away. The only reason we’re alive is because I shielded us during the cave-in.
WHAT DO YOU WANT? MY THANKS?
Leaning forward on the sofa, Aesar braced his elbows on his knees. Give me tonight with Kal.
Lykor’s explosive laugh bounced off the damp cavern walls. The girl’s eyes widened as she faltered in her furious splashing to the water’s edge.
Let me have dinner with his clan. Aesar rose from the couch. Clenching his fists, darkness whirled through the atrium. It’s not like you ever keep company, so I’m not interrupting yourplans of lurking in the Aerie alone.
An icy ball of irritation coalesced in Lykor’s chest. HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THAT IF I DIDN’T HAVE TO WAKE UP IN KAL’S BED, I’D BE MORE AMENABLE TO LETTING YOU TWO FUCK AROUND?
Lykor blinked. The elf had made it to the shore, stalking toward him. He swiped sopping hair out of his eyes, now as thoroughly soaked as her.
Aesar’s brow furrowed before dipping his head in agreement. Very well. We’d be more effective if we worked together.
THAT WASN’T A BARGAIN, Lykor scoffed. I DON’T NEED YOUR HELP. WHY CAN’T YOU HIDE LIKE YOU WERE CONTENT TO DO THESE PAST DECADES?
There’s too much at stake now. Aesar squared his shoulders, still ready to quarrel. We have one Heart, and it’s possible another is somewhere in this fortress. I think there could be one in the druid jungle too.
Lykor crossed his arms. AND YOU’RE SHARING THIS REVELATION WITH ME NOW?
I’ve been thinking about it. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Aesar paced the atrium, shadows billowing around him. That unnatural pocket of trees in the Hibernal Wastes has to be important. Vesryn and I suspected it was an abandoned druid city when we discovered it. He traced his lower lip, lost in thought. Have Serenna help—she’s tied to this now. If we could bring more than one Heart to—
SHUT UP, I GET IT. STARS, I NEED TO DEAL WITH THIS SHAMAN SPAWN BEFORE SHE TRIES STRANGLING ME WITH THAT FUCKING MOSS.
The elf straightened when Lykor’s attention focused back on her. He tracked her cautious steps until she stood in front of him.
“If you ruined these leathers,” Lykor growled, leaning down to her level, “I’ll patch them with your skin.”
Lips pursing, she wore an attempt at a brave face before swallowing. Holding out the glowing plant, she asked in a voice pitched with false sweetness, “Would you let me bind your hand?”
Lykor flashed his fangs before glancing over her head at the water receding back into the channel. Fed up with her persistence, he thrust his fist into her chest, knocking her back a step.
She glared at him before taking his claw, roughly coiling the moss around his palm. Lykor clenched his teeth at the pressure, releasing a hiss when she tied the plant into a knot. Tighter than it needed to be.
Torchlight flickering from one of the tunnels drew Lykor’s attention away from the elf. Kal’s hovering illumination and his band of warriors entered the caverns. Wordlessly leaving the girl behind, Lykor prowled to the group. The soldiers parted around him like a shoal fleeing from a shark. Searching the wraith, he locked eyes with Fenn. Lykor jerked his head for the lieutenant to join him.
Fenn stooped to hear his words. Lykor lowered his voice anyway, so it didn’t pitch to the others. “Take the elf to the Aerie and consider yourself elevated to her personal guard. Keep her tethered and away from Mara. I don’t want the girl learning of her presence.” The last thing he needed was the two females putting their heads together behind his back. Mara already meddled enough on Aesar’s behalf.
Lykor provided a brief update of the elf’s earthen abilities he suspected—and figured out firsthand—that she possessed. He left Fenn with orders of determining whatever else she could do with those shaman powers along with extracting any information about the elves’ military. Fenn rivaled his father at useless driveling—surely his ferreting would get the girl talking.
Retrieving the knife at his belt, Lykor sawed the slimy moss away from his palm, discarding the plant. “Douse the torches in my tower.” He didn’t glance over his shoulder as he strode away. “I don’t want her fucking around with any fire.”
CHAPTER 28
SERENNA
