I stiffen, on the alert and trying not so show it. “I have many names just as flattering.”
“By my tail, I can tell.” Barnabas chuckles darkly. “What’s with the mask?”
“Like it? I’m a fae of mystery, aye?”
“And I led a rebellion to revolt against the dark gods. I was the eldest Omega son of my village’s leader. I labored hard all my life to send food for the Bloods to feast on like rabid curs, while some winters we starved. I saw my mother weep, while two of my younger brothers were selected to be sent to become Blood Lovers. When my final sister was chosen too, I…”
“Snapped?”
“If that is what you call leading a Shadow Human rebellion against their own gods.”
“And how did it go?”
Barnabas sighs, sliding to sit on the floor. “Since I am here as my punishment, fucking badly.”
I push myself up, crawling to join Barnabas against the wall. Our shoulders are touching. His ears are sadly pinned to his head, and he has wrapped his arms around himself.
I nudge him with my shoulder.
“But you tried.” I don’t know if I am talking about him or myself. “The important thing is that you didn’t just lie down and let the arseholes take your freedom without fighting back.”
“Is it?”
His head is ducked.
“Aye, Antlers.” I soothe him with my pheromones, and his ears perk back up. “When I first came here, I thought that you lot were all meek and shy, prancing around with these cute ears and tails.”
Barnabas snorts. “Fuck that. I’m an Omega but I still have balls. They call us Harts and Hinds like we’re nothing but their prey. I wanted to show them…just once…that some of us arestags. Do you know how life-changing it felt to gore the bastards with my antlers?”
I grin, viciously. “You do have bloody incredible antlers.”
“And ears.”
“And a beautiful tail. I’m jealous.”
“Well, you have wings.I’mjealous.”
The door crashes open, making me jump.
“If I may interrupt this mutual admiration society, precious as it is, Blood Lovers…” The voice sounds cruelly amused.
I fight to remain relaxed on the floor next to Barnabas.
I recognize the voice as belonging to Nebet, the Chief Priestess.
This isn’t good.
A sweet lotus scent wafts into the room. But Nebet isn’t sweet.
Instead, she snatches Barnabas by the antler and twists.
He lets out a scream.
A Shadow Human’s antlers are as private, intimate, and sensitive as a fae’s wings. Only a soulmate should touch them.
Nebet drags Barnabas to his feet. She is at least a head and a half taller than him, and he dangles off the floor. He never stops struggling, however, wrenching from side to side and attempting to gore her with his antlers which are sharp with shadows.
No matter how hopeless the situation or how powerless he is, he doesn’t stop fighting.
