“I think we have a pretty good idea, don’t we?” I look around at both Voraxis and Odeyssa, who give me their own versions of agreement.
“No. No, no, no, you don’t.” He pulls my attention back to his pacing form, shaking his head while biting at the beds of his nails. “He’s coming. For you. Forallof us. Don’t you get it? He will stop at nothing until you’re his. You’re the final piece to everything he’s been working toward.”
I tilt my head. “Who?”
“It doesn’t matter. We’re all doomed, but you’re just delaying the inevitable. By being here. By running. It’s just prolonging what’s to come. I need to take you back.” Back to the place I was held—tortured. He was there? No, there’s no way.
“How did you know where I was?”
“I didn’t. It was sheer, dumb luck you were here. I thought it was the gods giving me a second chance, to prove myself worthy like I’ve done so many times before,” he prattles on. “Your little boyfriend gave me a parting gift, and when I showed the commander, he was less than pleased.” He pulls up his sleeve until a symbol burned into his flesh is exposed.
Before, I would’ve thought he was lying, that Callum wasn’t capable of mutilation and torture. But it goes to show I never really knew him to begin with. Odeyssa gasps to my right, her hand covering her mouth as she stares in horror.
“What is it?”
“The symbol of betrayal—banishment,” Stephan answers. “Fae who bear it are shunned from all realms. Basically an invitation to live a lonely life of solitude…here.”
“But how did you get out?”
“Easy. My form changes and, in turn, expunges it from my skin,” he explains. It seems like a very big loophole for the creators of such a place to look over. Who knows how manyother fae are walking around that should be here.”
“That’s not possible,” Odeyssa finally speaks. “It doesn’t matter what your powers are, wearing the mark doesn’t just…disappear.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” He looks pointedly at her. “I’mdifferent.” That literally explains nothing, but okay. Rolling my eyes, I’m beginning to get annoyed with all of this back and forth.
“Well,Stephan,this has been a nice chat, but we have other business to attend to.” I coax the flames inward, shrinking the space inch by inch.
“Whoa, whoa, okay. Let’s talk about this,” he pleads, extending his arms as if that’s going to stop the roaring flames. The tips of his fingers get too close, singing the skin as he roughly yanks his hand back.
“We have nothing left to discuss.”
“Aren’t you curious who took you?” It comes out rushed as the flames continue closing in.
“You’ve been trapped in here. How would you know?”
“I haven’t!” he yells, frustration blazing in his gaze. I halt the festering blaze, keeping it just a breath away, allowing the embers to heat his flesh. Sweat drips from his hairline, burning his eyes as they land.
“Even if you were telling the truth—and that’s a bigif—why would I believe you?”
I see it in the way his facial features change from fear to cynical, not in the way he’s changed forms, but like a switch flipped. “What do I have to lose?”
“Your dignity, first off,” Odeyssa mumbles next to me, and I can’t help the chuckle that escapes.
Stephan’s upper lip tugs up, showcasing a hint of a fang. “Don’t worry, he has plenty in store for you.”
“Come on, Stephan. Tell me why we should let you live,” Itaunt, knowing damn well he’s not leaving here with his head still attached.
“Dismiss your…cage, and I’ll be happy to.” He crosses his arms, dripping with smugness. His ego is suffocating, all the hot air he keeps up there mixing with hot fumes, and it nearly makes me dizzy.
I throw him a sarcastic smirk. “Gladly.” I’m not stupid. I eliminate the section separating us but quickly move it behind him, feeding it until it extends far on each side. If he decides to run, the flames will engulf him before he makes it to the opening.
“Cute,” he comments, obviously unamused.
“Deadly,” I correct.
You’re just going to let him go?Voraxis’s question comes out of nowhere, forceful and direct, almost like he wants to yell at me.
No. Just trust me.He stays silent, and my brows pull together for a heartbeat, the urge to face him strong, but I refrain.
