Chapter 1
Sybil
“Then welcome, Sybil, to the rebellion.” Kieran purred, his crimson eyes bright and filled with pride.
The rebels.
I’m now part of the rebellion that Ambrose fought to squash daily.
My lips tugged into a smile, something like pride swelling inside me so big that my heart felt light and heavy at the same time. If Ambrose caught me, no amount of torture would be enough to stop his horrible punishment.
I held Kieran’s crimson stare, studying how his eyes darkened, as if he was taunting me—begging for some darker part of me to come out and play. A shiver went down my spine, and I looked away; the heat behind his gaze was too intense.
Samian caught his look and let out a low growl of warning, the sound rumbling from deep in his chest, one that Kieran readily returned. Samian stepped in front of me, blocking me from view. I could only see the braid of his silver hair, shining bright under the soft moonlight, but the muscles along his back were tense.
The pale woman beside Kieran sighed and clapped her hands. “Okay, boys, that’s enough posturing for now. It seems like there is much we need to discuss, and I, for one, would like to go somewhere more comfortable to talk.” She slid her dark gray eyes to Ezra, giving him an icy stare. “Are you truly asking for sanctuary?”
“Yes,” Ezra said with a slight nod. “I was given the death penalty for helping you, actually.” He jerked his chin at the man standing behind her.
The man gave him a small bow, though his face remained blank.
“Then we welcome you,” she said, inclining her head to Ezra. “Let’s leave these woods. There are creatures roaming tonight.”
Each of them turned to head further into the forest. “Wait,” I said, grabbing hold of Samian’s shirt. “Before I blindly follow wherever they are taking us, I want to knowhowyou know this man.”
“Male,” Kieran said, his voice deepening, his lips curving into a wicked smile.
My gaze cut to his, my brows knitting together in confusion. “What?”
“I am not a man. That word belongs to humans, not faeries.Iam a male.” His gaze bore into me, and I took a steadying breath. I could feel the pressure in my blood rising with annoyance.
“Fine,” I quipped, scowling at him as I turned back to Samian. “How do you?—”
“Say it,” Kieran smirked.
I looked back at him, my eyes narrowing. “Say what?”
“Say what I am.”
“For fuck’s sake,” I whispered, earning a deep laugh from the vexing brute. “Fine,” I turned back to Samian. “How do you know thismale?”
Samian’s lip twitched, amusement dancing in his eyes as he fought the grin pulling at the corners of his mouth. “We met long ago, when I was a boy. His father was a farmer, and I ate some apples from one of his trees. As punishment, I had to help Kieran pick the rest of the apples.”
Kieran chuckled at the memory.
“He is safe,” Samian murmured softly. “I promise he will not hurt you. I would not let him, even if he tried. However, I know where they are leading us. We won’t be harmed.”
I looked into his blue and green eyes, studying them, and found nothing but hopeful promise, as if being here with him was something he had wanted for so long. Finally, looking over at the woman—female—I gave her a tight nod.
Bowing her head to me, they turned, leading us further into the forest.
With the moon full and high overhead, it wasn’t hard for my eyes to adjust to the low light, enough to see the rocks and branches scattered across the mossy floor. We traveled along a small path that was barely noticeable unless you knew what to look out for, though after twenty minutes of walking, I still couldn’t tell what they used for markers.
Samian stayed at the front of our group, keeping me close while we accompanied Kieran and the other male and female. Aster stayed a step behind me, followed by Ezra. Everyone was quiet, save for the crunching of the leaves beneath our feet.
The path led us to a rusted gate covered in vines, which groaned as the doors swung open. Huts and tents were scattered across the field beyond. Aster and I slowed our walk, our wide eyes taking in the different faeries walking around bonfires, laughing with each other.
Ezra murmured a curse, his head whipping to Samian, who only gave him a small apologetic smile. Guilt shadowed Samian’sface, and his throat bobbed. Apparently, he had kept secrets from everyone.
